Vegetation of Külső-Somogy in Hungary II. Regional diversity and pattern of non-woody habitats at landscape scale

In this study occurrence, proportion and landscape pattern of grasslands and wastelands are analysed in Külső-Somogy based on MÉTA method at landscape scale. The relative importance of these habitat types represent more than the half of the total number of non-woody habitats listed for Hungary. Wastelands (62%) and disturbed grasslands (54%) have relatively the greatest area in this region, where uncharacteristic dry or semi-dry grasslands and tall herb communities dominate. Semi-natural dry and semi-dry grassland habitat types are in subordinated position in the southern and eastern parts of the region, especially with habitats of E-group, H-group or uncharacteristic herb communities (OC). As semi-natural non-woody wet grasslands types habitats of B-group are the relatively most frequent with eu- and mesotrophic reed and Typha beds, nontussock beds of large sedges and mosaics of marsh communities of channels, ditches and artificial lakes. In landscape elements which are poor in grasslands uncharacteristic wet or dry grass habitats (O-group) are significant. The north-western parts of Külső-Somogy near Lake Balaton are strongly endangered by the reduction or lack of semi-natural grasslands. Regional land and grassland management ought to promote functioning of grassland regeneration processes