Anthropogenic effects on Alsó-hegy in Aggtelek National Park

Abstract

Alsó-hegy is part of Aggteleki Nemzeti Park. It is roughly a nature landscape, but it has some anthropogenic effects too. The vineyard activity left eroded slopes with scattered forests behind. The pastures transformed the original forests to meadows. However, these territories are regenerating to forestlands with juniper grove. A non-native pine forest was planted on the plateau and the invasive acacia groves are frequent at the foot of Alsó-hegy. There are several ruins of lime kilns, where the bare limestone peeps into the surface. The pit of an abandoned marble mine shows the traces of human activity. A small hunter house is the only man made structure on the plateau. A demolished village and ruins of a fortress are also located here. There are also many built-up springs for drinking purposes. The speleological activity can also be recognized in Alsó-hegy. The narrow entrances of pits have been widened, to allow the descending of the researchers to the bottoms of the caves. The entrances of the big horizontal caves (Meteor, 404 Víznyelő) are closed with iron doors to prevent the illegal visits. However, these human activities influence the natural landscape only slightly. The main research point is to survey which type of anthropogenic effects has changed the landscape and how they have transformed it. Only the Hungarian part of Alsó-hegy is discussed in this report.