Study area

The study area is located approximately 5km north-west from Vác town centre. Duna – Drava, one of the leading manufacturers of building materials, is located immediately to the north and north-west of the site. To the east there is an agricultural land and adjacent small farm building. A small horse farm is located to the southern boundary of the site.

Looking at the aerial view there are two distinctive clearance lines. The wider clearance is due to long distance power line, while the smaller one running diagonally shows the route of a fuel pipeline.

History

The woodland is approximately 50 years old. Until the beginning of 20th century the land had an agricultural function. A Cement Plant was established in the middle of 20th century. The plant’s raw material – triassic limestone – was coming from the nearby Naszály Mountain.

With the Cement Plant growing, the need for mitigation impact was established. A large buffer area was planted with mixed woodland that includes native trees and shrubs, between the plant and the residential areas to the south and south-west.

Today the mature woodland occupies an area of approximately 24 hectares and additional area of approximately 11 hectares, densely planted with deciduous tree species is located within the cement plant boundary.

Conditions

360 view (click on the hand tool for better pan)

The woodland has been planted relatively densely and the trees succeed in blocking the prevailing northern winds and also the southern warmer winds. There is very little light which reaches the lower vegetation layer e.g. shrubs and ground cover plants, and therefore there are few individual species which manage to thrive in these conditions. Even during the summer the temperature inside the forest remains cool and pleasant.

The two clearance lines though receive plenty of sun light and allow for grasses and perennials to establish in the spring, and are quickly followed up by fast growing scrub vegetation.

Soils are brown forest and well drained (European Soil Data Centre).

Ecology and management

The woodland has four distinctive vegetation layers – canopy, sub canopy, shrubs and ground layers.

The canopy layer is comprised of the tallest trees, in this case fast growing evergreens such as Scots pine.

The sub canopy is represented by slow growing deciduous trees such as Hungarian oak and Turkish oak, Cherry and Tilia. There are also some unusual trees like Horse-chestnut, clear indication that the woodland is man-made.

Shrubs are usually growing sparse inside the woodland and very dense on the periphery where there is more sunlight. Among the shrub species are Russian olive, Buckthorn, Dogrose etc.

Ground vegetation is very limited. Species such as Primrose, Silverweed and Wood bitter-vetch are among those which manage to thrive in the shadow.

The site is home to deer, rodents, and small rabbits, woodpeckers, finches and sparrows. On occasion flying eagles can be spotted.

The woodland is regularly managed by the Cement Plant. Vegetation in both corridors is cleared twice a year to prevent any damage to the pipeline or power line.