Növényevő nagyvadak rágáspreferenciái, mint a táplálkozási igények indikátorai.

Traditional clearcutting system homogenise forest habitats (one tree species, one age class, understory destroyed), which will be more sensitive to other human and natural impacts, such as the effect of large herbivores. Since forest game damage is a very important problem in Hungary, we hypothesised that the main target tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp. and Robinia pseudoacacia ) are strongly preferred as browsed forage. Therefore, our study question was which woody species are selected by game browsing: 1. native (Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp.) or non-native target tree species (Robinia pseudoacacia ) 2. other economically non or less relevant woody species. We have collected data on the species composition of the understory and the browsing impact on it in five different Hungarian even-aged forests between 2003 and 2005. Based on these investigations the non-native Robinia pseudoacacia was generally preferred (Jacobs’ selectivity index: D=0,04±0,77), meanwhile the native Fagus sylvatica and Quercus spp. (Q. cerris, Q. petraea, Q. robur) were avoided (D= -0,37±0,11; -0,33±0,85; -0,79±0,56; -0,9±0,16; respectively) among target tree species. However, economically less or not relevant species, e.g. elderberry (Sambucus spp.), blackberry (Rubus spp.) or common dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) were the most preferred ones (D=0,01±0,71; -0,12±0,58; -0,2±0,78, respectively). Our results clearly show that biodiversity conservation i.e. maintaining or establishing a multi-species understory layer can be a good solution to diminish the negative game impact on native target tree species. Due to its preference selective browsing can mitigate the penetration of Robinia pseudoacacia into native forest habitats. The herbivorous selection pattern revealed will help us in forest biodiversity conservation by facilitating positive and mitigating negative impacts of selective browsing by ungulates

Ungulate browsing shapes climate change impacts on forest biodiversity in Hungary

Climate change can result in a slow disappearance of forests dominated by less drought-tolerant native European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and oak species (Quercus spp.) and further area expansion of more drought-tolerant non-native black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) against those species in Hungary. We assumed that the shift in plant species composition was modified by selective ungulate browsing. Thus, we investigated which woody species are selected by browsing game. We have collected data on the species composition of the understory and the browsing impact on it in five different Hungarian even-aged forests between 2003 and 2005. Based on these investigations the non-native Robinia pseudoacacialiving under more favourable climatic conditions was generally preferred (Jacobs’ selectivity index: D=0.04±0.77), while the nativeFagus sylvatica and Quercus spp. (Q. petraea, Q. robur), both more vulnerable to increasing aridity, were avoided (D=-0.37±0.11;-0.79±0.56;-0.9±0.16; respectively) among target tree species. However, economically less or not relevant species, e.g. elderberry (Sambucus spp.), blackberry (Rubus spp.) or common dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) were the most preferred species (D=0.01±0.71; -0.12±0.58; -0.2±0.78, respectively). Our results imply that biodiversity conservation, i.e. maintaining or establishing a multi-species understory layer, can be a good solution to reduce the additional negative game impact on native target tree species suffering from drought. Due to preference for Robinia pseudoacaciaselective browsing can decelerate the penetration of this species into native forest habitats. We have to consider the herbivorous pressure of ungulates and their feeding preferences in planning our future multifunctional forests in the light of climate change impacts

Az etológia tanítása Power Point-tal

Szakdolgozatom témájául az etológia tanítását választottam, Power Point-os előadás segítségével. A módszert a tanítási gyakorlatom alatt lehetőségem volt kipróbálni. Úgy gondolom, ennek a témakör-nek az elsajátítását az élményszerű szemléltetés nagyban segíti, ezért képekben és videó-felvételekben gazdag előadásokat terveztem. A Power Point-os előadások hatékonyságát egy dolgozat és egy kérdő-ív segítségével mértem fel.Bag