Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) – 2006 version Available for download from http://www.ramsar.org/ris/key_ris_index.htm. Categories approved by Recommendation 4.7 (1990), as amended by Resolution VIII.13 of the 8th Conference of the Contracting Parties (2002) and Resolutions IX.1 Annex B, IX.6, IX.21 and IX. 22 of the 9 th Conference of the Contracting Parties (2005). Notes for compilers: 1. The RIS should be completed in accordance with the attached Explanatory Notes and Guidelines for completing the Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands. Compilers are strongly advised to read this guidance before filling in the RIS. 2. Furtherinformation and guidance in support of Ramsarsite designations are provided in the Strategic Framework for the future development of the List of Wetlands of International Importance (RamsarWise Use Handbook 7, 2 nd edition, as amended by COP9 Resolution IX.1 Annex B). A 3 rd edition of the Handbook, incorporating these amendments, is in preparation and will be available in 2006. 3. Once completed, the RIS (and accompanying map(s)) should be submitted to the Ramsar Secretariat. Compilers should provide an electronic (MS Word) copy of the RIS and, where possible, digital copies of all maps. 1. Name and address of the compiler of this form: FOR OFFICE USE ONLY . Zoltán Hegyi Ph.D. (zoological supervisor) DD MM YY László Nagy (rangerof Ócsa Landscape Protection Area) Katalin Sipos (head of Nature Protection Department) Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate H-1021 Budapest, Hővösvölgyi út 52., Hungary Designation date Site Reference Number Post address: 1525 Budapest, Pf.: 86. Phone: (36-1) 200-4033, 200-4066 Fax: (36-1) 200-1168 Email: [email protected] 2. Date this sheet was completed/updated: December, 2006 3. Country: Hungary 4. Name of the Ramsar site: The precise name of the designated site in one of the three official languages (English, French orSpanish) of the Convention. Alternative names, including in local language(s), should be given in parentheses afterthe precise name. Ócsai Turjános 5. Designation of new Ramsar site or update of existing site: This RIS is for (tick one box only) : a) Designation of a new Ramsar site ; or b) Updated information on an existing Ramsar site Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS), page 2 6. For RIS updates only, changes to the site since its designation or earlier update: a) Site boundary and area The Ramsar site boundary and site area are unchanged: or If the site boundary has changed: i) the boundary has been delineated more accurately ; or i) the boundary has been extended ; or iii) the boundary has been restricted** and/or If the site area has changed: i) the area has been measured more accurately ; or ii) the area has been extended ; or iii) the area has been reduced** ** Important note: If the boundary and/orarea of the designated site is being restricted/reduced, the Contracting Party should have followed the procedures established by the Conference of the Parties in the Annex to COP9 Resolution IX.6 and provided a report in line with paragraph 28 of that Annex, priorto the submission of an updated RIS. b) Describe briefly any major changes to the ecological character of the Ramsar site, including in the application of the Criteria, since the previous RIS for the site: No significant change to the site since the last update. 7. Map of site: Referto Annex III of the Explanatory Note and Guidelines , fordetailed guidance on provision of suitable maps, including digital maps. a) A map of the site, with clearly delineated boundaries, is included as: i) a hard copy (required forinclusion of site in the RamsarList): ; ii ) an electronic format (e.g. a JPEG orArcView image) ; iii) a GIS file providing geo-referenced site boundary vectors and attribute tables ; b) Describe briefly the type of boundary delineation applied: e.g. the boundary is the same as an existing protected area (nature reserve, national park etc.), orfollows a catchment boundary, orfollows a geopolitical boundary such as a local government jurisdiction, follows physical boundaries such as roads, follows the shoreline of a waterbody, etc. The site boundary follows physical boundaries (road, canal), as well as boundaries of land registration plots. 8. Geographical coordinates (latitude/longitude, in degrees and minutes): Provide the coordinates of the approximate centre of the site and/orthe limits of the site. If the site is composed of more than one separate area, provide coordinates foreach of these areas. N border: 47 ° 13’ 15 ″ S border: 47 ° 18’ 05 ″ E border 19 ° 11’ 10 ″ W border 19 ° 18’ 35 ″ Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS), page 3 Approximate Center of the wetland : 47 ° 15’ 60 ″ 19 ° 14’ 73 ″ 9. General location: Include in which part of the country and which large administrative region(s) the site lies and the location of the nearest large town. In the center of Hungary, Pest county, 28-40 km South-West of Budapest, near the villages Ocsa, Dabas and Inárcs. 10. Elevation: (in metres: average and/or maximum & minimum) 98-110 m above sea level 11. Area: (in hectares) 1078 ha 12. General overview of the site: Provide a short paragraph giving a summary description of the principal ecological characteristics and importance of the wetland. The area is a remnant of the ancient Danube valley having survived in small spots for today. The so called ,bog fen’ which has various habitats and wonderful landscape sight, gives home for several rare and strictly protected plant and animal species, and plays significant part in the migration of birds. The surrounding villages are rich in architectural and other cultural values, therefore this territory is one of the best targets for sustainable ecotourism. The wide variety of bird species gives the opportunity to organize bird migration research, which has a serious past of more than two decades in the district. On the other hand Ócsa is called the ‘botanists paradise’. 13. Ramsar Criteria: Tick the box undereach Criterion applied to the designation of the Ramsarsite. See Annex II of the Explanatory Notes and Guidelines forthe Criteria and guidelines fortheirapplication (adopted by Resolution VII.11). All Criteria which apply should be ticked. 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 8 • 9 14. Justification for the application of each Criterion listed in 13 above: Provide justification foreach Criterion in turn, clearly identifying to which Criterion the justification applies (see Annex II for guidance on acceptable forms of justification). 1.: In biographic region this wetland contains rare and unique natural wetland types: permanent freshwater marshes and peatswamp forests. In the beginning of the last century these wetland types were much larger than nowadays. Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS), page 4 Habitat types from the Habitats Directive Annex I: 6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils ( Molinioncaeruleae ), 6440 Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii , 6510 Lowland hay meadows ( Alopecurus pratensis , Sanguisorba officinalis ), 7230 Alkaline fens as well as the both priority types 91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion,Alnion incanae, Salicion albae ) and 91I0 Euro-Siberian steppic woods with Quercus spp. 2.: This wetland supports critically endangered species of plants and animals. For example the protected Viviparous Lizard ( Zoothoca vivipara ) ( LR/lc IUCN Red list + Annex IV Habitats Directive ) is a characteristic threatened reptile species, which is genetically different from other populations in Hungary (or elsewhere). The site is the last Hungarian refuge of False Ringlet (Coenonympha oedippus ), which has a viable population in several locations scattered within the site. The species is threatened throughout Europe. Adenophora ( Adenophora liliifolia ), a European/Western Siberian subcontinental species, declining in its European range, has one of its last Hungarian strongholds here. (Annex provides full list of animal species) 3.: This wetland has an important role for maintaining the biological diversity of the biogeographic region. The local population of Viviparous Lizard ( Lacerta vivipara ) is genetically different from other populations in Hungary (or elsewhere). This is the only site for Coenonympha oedippus in Hungary and one of the very few sites for Adenophora liliifolia . The strong populations of European Mud- minnow ( Umbra krameri ) and Weatherfish ( Misgurnus fossilis ) are also important for maintaining biological diversity. 4.: This area supports plants of marshes and bogs and different species of birds associated to marshes. The vegetation period and the breeding season are connected mainly to seasonally and annually varying water conditions. Important breeding bird species: Ardea cinerea, Ardea purpurea (4-6 pairs) Botaurus stellaris (15-20 pairs), Egretta alba (up to 100 pairs), Egretta garzetta (occasionally), Platalea leucorodia (occasionally), Nycticorax nycticorax (occasionally), Aythya nyroca (10-15 pairs), Circus aeruginosus, Circus pygargus (3-4 pairs), Porzana porzana, Porzana parva, Rallus aquaticus, Crex crex, Numenius arquata, Limosa limosa, Tringa tetanus, Vanellus vanellus, Acrocephalus melanopogon. Important wintering bird species: Circus cyaneus, Asio flammeus. 15. Biogeography (required when Criteria 1 and/or3 and /orcertain applications of Criterion 2 are applied to the designation): Name the relevant biogeographic region that includes the Ramsarsite, and identify the biogeographic