Settlement and Green Infrastructure Characteristics in Dynamically Growing Urban Areas

One of the determining tendencies worldwide in recent landscape change is urbanization that reflects at the same time the transformation of human lifestyle and settlement space, the growing expansion of urban areas in line with the increasing urban concentration of population. It is also important to map these settlements in terms of the evolution of the landscape-settlement relationship and the character of the green space network within the settlements. In Hungary in the second half of the 20th century, the number of settlement areas – that significantly changed in size, in structure and in building stock – was under fifty. The largest of those towns, which are roughly evenly distributed throughout Hungary\u27s settlement network, are the „patches” defined as independent landscape character types, settlement landscapes, in the landscape character research project (KEHOP-4.3.0-VEKOP-15-2016-00001) (Web ref. 1). In this research, we analysed urbanised settlements and their associated built-up areas as a continuation of the landscape character research project (KEHOP-4.3.0-VEKOP-15-2016-00001) (Web ref. 1). We typified the spatial structure of the analysed settlements and defined the green space character, the degree of built-up areas and the relationship between the built-up areas and the green spaces. Based on the results, we determined that the role of green space areas within the structure of settlement areas is always significant in some ways, but at the same time the character of them is different: the majority of the settlement areas analysed, despite being the most urbanised at national level, are loosely built-up with significant green space, the smaller, more densely built-up areas, on the other hand, have a high proportion of green spaces bordering the built-up areas. In addition to the spatial typology of the urbanised settlements and their territories, this study illustrates in detail through three settlements with different structure the characteristics of the spatial structure and the networks of green infrastructure elements

New Results in Surveying Landscape Character and Urban Green Areas

In the framework of the project “KEHOP-4.3.0-15-2016-00001”, we had the opportunity to research the particularities of urban spatial structure. The aim of the research was to define the influencing role and parameters of the urban space with regards to the landscape character. Within the research topic, we paid accentuated attention to the role of green areas in the settlements. We attempted to characterize the types of the settlements’ green space system as a supplement to the above-mentioned research and analyze in five settlements. The results show that: there is significant dispersion in the field of urban space; we have delimited almost 60,000 built-in patches in the country’s 93,000km2 area, while there are 3,154 administrative areas; the size of the built-in patches allows a close approximated grouping into functional types; following the Second World War, the newly built-up areas show similarities all over the country, disregarding the characteristics of the landscape; “central” settlements (1,474 units) are typically loosely-built, possess a high green area ratio and have a significant tree stock, and only about 6% of Hungary’s territory is partly forested green space, while densely built-up areas occupy 5% of the settlement space; larger green areas are typically only the constituent part of cities, while in most settlements, the partially green space with stands are the characteristics of the green space system; the partially forested green areas of the settlements show significant differences; and can be classified into distinct types, with the character not only being influenced by the settlement’s built-up structure, but also significantly by the natural spatial system in which the settlement was established, and the continued farming traditions as well as the new functions of the settlement; the green space of the settlement fringe areas is a principal factor in influencing the landscape character and affects the development possibilities of the green space system within the settlement

The Role of Mining Ponds in the Hungarian Greenway Network

The aim of our research is to present the current state of mining ponds, wetlands (created by mining activity in Hungary) and to give support to the mining ponds’ nature protection importance and their role in green infrastructure. This research topic is very important, partly because of the lack of data related to mining ponds, but also because wetlands and their connecting blue and green infrastructure are playing a more important role today in reducing the effects of climate change. A GIS analysis was made using data from the national mining register, the CORINE Land Cover and Agricultural Parcel Identification System base map, non-motorized vehicular route data, and maps of the national nature protection areas. As a first step of the GIS analysis, we selected those wetlands in Hungary that were created by mining activity. With the help of density-analysis, we visualized the national distribution of mining ponds. As a second step, we compared these identified mining ponds with the protected natural areas of Hungary, and then we analyzed their exploration with greenways. We investigated the connection between size, raw material type, age, and the potential for tourism, religious pilgrimages, horseback riding and bicycling, as well as nature protection. Mining activities represent a paradox among environmentally-destructive land use activities. In most cases, the extraction of raw materials below the water-bearing level causes huge damage to the landscape. As a result of this, natural resources have been lost and continue to be destroyed. At the same time, these constructed mining ponds represent significant landscape value and recreational potential. Their natural value is demonstrated by the results of our research, which found that 21.85% of mining ponds are part of some nature protection designation (National Parks, Protected Landscape Areas, National Nature Reserve areas, Natura 2000 Areas and the National Ecological Network). According to our GIS analysis, 34% of mining ponds are incorporated into greenways in Hungary. In the case of proper usage and landscape rehabilitation, mining ponds – due to their nature protection values and beneficial landscape features – are mostly suitable or can be made suitable for being destination areas and stopping points of greenways

The Role of Mining Ponds in the Landscape Character

Landscape character has played an important role in landscape analysis plans of landscape architecture works for decades. Mining ponds – depending on their size – are prominent landscape features both locally and regionally, which define and influence the landscape and landscape character, and often enrich it. The aim of this research is to analyze the international and Hungarian landscape character methodologies to reveal how they deal with the presence of mining ponds, and to analyze the role of mining ponds in landscape character based on the Hungarian landscape character methodology. During this research, a comparison of mining ponds and landscape character type areas was carried out for the whole territory of Hungary, both in terms of the area and the number of mining ponds, using GIS and statistical methods. A review of international landscape character methodologies showed that the role of mining ponds in shaping landscape character is not found in any of the analyzed methodologies. Landscape character methodologies consider both the mined areas and the presence of water surfaces as indicators of landscape character, but do not distinguish between natural and artificial ponds within water surfaces, nor between water-filled mining ponds within mined areas, therefore do not specifically address mining ponds. In the Hungarian landscape character methodology, mining ponds are mentioned at the level of landscape elements or landscape mosaic units, but at an upper level of the landscape character units (landscape character sub-type, landscape character type, landscape character main type, landscape character area) mining ponds are not mentioned. This article reveals which landscape character type areas contain the largest number and the largest extent of mining ponds. The so-called \u27Water-dominated mosaic plain landscape\u27 and the \u27Pond landscape\u27 landscape character-type areas abound in the presence of mining ponds. 14.5% of the \u27Water-dominated mosaic plain landscape\u27 landscape character type areas are covered by mining ponds (mostly gravel mines). In these areas, the role of mining activity and the role of mining ponds in shaping the landscape and determining the landscape character is particularly significant. The analysis of the surface area ratios of mining ponds (in hectares) revealed that 67% of the total area of mining ponds is located within or intersects a water-dominated landscape character type area, i.e. the ’Watery landscape’ main type. The majority of these are just a few (in number of pieces) but large within size (over 400 hectares) mining pond systems in Hungary. This result supports the dominant role of large mining pond systems in the landscape character. However, the analysis of the quantity of mining ponds shows that 83% of the total number of mining ponds – a large number of small (in size), single mining ponds – is located in such landscape character type areas which are not influenced by water. We have analyzed the role of mining ponds in the hierarchy of landscape character areas, depending on their size, and the relationship between average mining pond size and landscape character type. The results show that although the presence of small mining ponds does not affect the landscape character type classification, the presence of mining ponds and pond systems larger than 10 hectares affects the landscape character type of a given area. Thus, most of the mining pond systems from gravel and peat pits in Hungary have been classified within water-dominated landscape character types based on the landscape character classification

Biotope networks in the agricultural-dominant landscape - evaluation of establishment and conservation possibilities support systems

The drastic decline in the biodiversity of agricultural-dominant landscapes has been highlighted by a number of studies in recent years (ECA 2020; EEA 2020; IPBES 2019). The establishment of biotope networks could be one of the most effective responses to address the climate and biodiversity crisis in agricultural-dominant landscapes (ECPA 2014; Haddaway N.R. et al. 2016; D.B.Westbury et al. 2017). Therefore, the aim of our research is to explore the Hungarian and EU legal systems related to the conservation and establishment of the biotope network, and to compare them with the future support measures. The evaluation provides an answer to what extent the development plans provide solutions for the shortcomings of the current support systems. Based on our evaluation, the measures of the planned support programs can lead to an improvement in approximately half of the shortcomings. However, only 37.5% of the measures of the planned support programs contribute directly to the establishment and conservation of biotope networks. Therefore, without underestimating the importance of the planned support programs that are long overdue, it should be noted that achieving the target of converting 10% of agricultural land to high biodiversity value by 2030 (EU BS 2020) will require more intervention. In order to achieve this goal, mandatory regulations will certainly need to be applied more widely than at present

Landscape heritage and sustainable development in a border region of Hungary

Landscape functions reflect the goods and services provided by regions, highlighting the cultural, economic and environmental factors.As a complex assessment method, a landscape function analysis can reveal the state of the pillars of sustainability, analyse the potentials, resources and limits of landscapes and land use systems and thus provide a basis for reaching balanced and effective rural development. As study area we chose a peripheric, rural micro-region located along the Hungarian-Slovakian border including settlements of Ipolyvece, Patak, Nagyoroszi, Horpács, Hont, Drégelypalánk. The region is rich in natural and cultural values, large part of the area belongs to Börzsöny, from North as the Hungarian-Slovakian border we find the Ipoly river as one of the most natural rivers in Hungary. The successful rural areas are able to preserve the ecological value of the landscape and at the same time, provide appropriate income for the population. To highlight the connection of landscape functions, landscape heritage and rural development, we have chosen a peripheric micro-region rich in cultural and natural values. Using wide range of indicators we analysed ecological value, agriculture, forestry, tourism, aesthetics, accessibility, and economic value. The landscape function analysis revealed the conflicts, limits of landscape resources and where certain landscape functions can be considered lower than the appropriate level. Natural and cultural assets are unevenly distributed in the area, tourism and the traditional but shrinking high added value fruit production can contribute to increase the income level of the population which is crucial for maintain the population retention capacity of the region

Loss of the starvation-induced gene Rack1 leads to glycogen deficiency and impaired autophagic responses in Drosophila

Autophagy delivers cytoplasmic material for lysosomal degradation in eukaryotic cells. Starvation induces high levels of autophagy to promote survival in the lack of nutrients. We compared genome-wide transcriptional profiles of fed and starved control, autophagy-deficient Atg7 and Atg1 null mutant Drosophila larvae to search for novel regulators of autophagy. Genes involved in catabolic processes including autophagy were transcriptionally upregulated in all cases. We also detected repression of genes involved in DNA replication in autophagy mutants compared with control animals. The expression of Rack1 (receptor of activated protein kinase C 1) increased 4.1- to 5.5-fold during nutrient deprivation in all three genotypes. The scaffold protein Rack1 plays a role in a wide range of processes including translation, cell adhesion and migration, cell survival and cancer. Loss of Rack1 led to attenuated autophagic response to starvation, and glycogen stores were decreased 11.8-fold in Rack1 mutant cells. Endogenous Rack1 partially colocalized with GFP-Atg8a and early autophagic structures on the ultrastructural level, suggesting its involvement in autophagosome formation. Endogenous Rack1 also showed a high degree of colocalization with glycogen particles in the larval fat body, and with Shaggy, the Drosophila homolog of glycogen synthase kinase 3B (GSK-3B). Our results, for the first time, demonstrated the fundamental role of Rack1 in autophagy and glycogen synthesis

Bloom syndrome helicase contributes to germ line development and longevity in zebrafish

RecQ helicases—also known as the “guardians of the genome”—play crucial roles in genome integrity maintenance through their involvement in various DNA metabolic pathways. Aside from being conserved from bacteria to vertebrates, their importance is also reflected in the fact that in humans impaired function of multiple RecQ helicase orthologs are known to cause severe sets of problems, including Bloom, Werner, or Rothmund-Thomson syndromes. Our aim was to create and characterize a zebrafish (Danio rerio) disease model for Bloom syndrome, a recessive autosomal disorder. In humans, this syndrome is characterized by short stature, skin rashes, reduced fertility, increased risk of carcinogenesis, and shortened life expectancy brought on by genomic instability. We show that zebrafish blm mutants recapitulate major hallmarks of the human disease, such as shortened lifespan and reduced fertility. Moreover, similarly to other factors involved in DNA repair, some functions of zebrafish Blm bear additional importance in germ line development, and consequently in sex differentiation. Unlike fanc genes and rad51, however, blm appears to affect its function independent of tp53. Therefore, our model will be a valuable tool for further understanding the developmental and molecular attributes of this rare disease, along with providing novel insights into the role of genome maintenance proteins in somatic DNA repair and fertility