Biharugra Fishponds

The Ugrai Meadow

Biharugra Fishponds

  • Country: 
    Hungary
  • Site number: 
    903
  • Area: 
    2,791 ha
  • Designation date: 
    26-05-1997
  • Coordinates: 
    46°56'N 21°35'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

The Site consists of the second-largest Hungarian fishpond system, surrounded by meadows, characteristic salt grasslands, fragmented forests and arable lands. Ancient marshes are connected to the fishponds, of which the Ugrai-rét and the Sző-rét marshes are the biggest and most remarkable within the Site. The wetland system is closely connected with the fishponds of Cefa and the Radvani forest in neighbouring Romania. The Site maintains plant communities typical of the region, which support a rich botanical landscape, with relict species typical of loess steppes and species typical of bogs and woodlands. The area provides resting, breeding, feeding and staging areas for numerous endangered and protected waterbirds and waders, including the globally vulnerable lesser white-fronted goose Anser erythropus and the red-breasted goose Branta ruficollis. Threatened species of mammals include the European otter Lutra lutra and the steppe polecat Mustela eversmannii. Human activities include intensive fishing, cattle and sheep breeding, farming and reed harvesting. “Kunhalom”, a hill probably used for burial purposes 1,100 years ago, has important archeological value. There is a visitor centre near Sző-rét, and the fishponds can be visited with a permit. Potential threats include inflow of polluted water from the River Sebes-Körös, and herbicides and pesticides sprayed on the surounding agricultural land. A habitat restoration plan has been carried out in Ugrai-rét.

Administrative region: 
Békés County

  • National legal designation: 
    • National Park - Körös-Maros National Park
    • landscape protection area - Biharugra
  • Regional (international) legal designations: 
    • EU Natura 2000
  • Last publication date: 
    10-03-2017

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Additional reports and documents