Watercourses of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve as a habitat, reproduction and conservation of fish gene resources

Natural watercourses, their forage base, and ichthyofauna of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve of the Transcarpathian region have been studied. Information on the species composition is given, the names and genus of some of the specimens are specified. The systematic structure is reflected, the functional role of roundworms and fish in the studied ecosystem, dominant and endangered species are determined. Their geographical distribution in different zones of watercourses, structural-comparative analysis with the species registered in the Transcarpathian region are carried out. It is established: a characteristic feature of the ichthyocenosis is the presence of a significant number of salmon and aboriginal species. The urgency of research – global warming, human activities change the hydroecosystem of the reserve, have a negative impact on aboriginal fish species, which are indicators of changes in hydrological regime and microclimate, lead to the settlement of their areas indigenous. In total, we recorded 42 species belonging to 7 series, 11 families, 33 genera in the studied water areas. Additionally, 12 undescribed were identified. The growth of the total number of species by 66.67 % was due to allochtons. Emphasis was placed on the need for further genetic research, which could be a source of additional information on fish biodiversity in the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve and in the Tisza River, a tributary of the Danube.

Continuous Arch Bridges Over Lake Tisza, Hungary

<p>The design and construction process of the unique cycling bridges at Lake Tisza are presented in this article. The 4 new bridges are parts of the closing segment of the cycle route around the artificial reservoir, which is a popular tourist destination in Hungary, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The proximity of the natural environment motivated the use of organic, flowing shapes.</p><p>The unique Eger- and Szomorka bridges are independent continuous half-through arch bridges, 8 spans with a total length of 308.46m, and 3 spans with a total length of 86.30 m, respectively. The bridge over River Tisza is a 5 span bridge with a total length of 279.47 m, which is placed on the extended piers of the existing roadway bridge. It consists of 2 deck truss bridges on the side-spans and 3 network arch bridges in the mid- spans. A 5.70 m span bascule bridge over one of the draining canals of the lake was also accomplished as part of the project.</p><p>The Eger and Szomorka bridges are internationally unique due to the fact that the Designers have dreamed a continuous sinusoid wave on the supports; which, by twirling under and above the deck, results in a continuous structure. The successful construction of the Tisza River Bridge also required some special and unprecedented construction methods.</p>

Comparison of the Genetic Structure of Invasive Bigheaded Carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) Populations in Central-European Lacustrine and Riverine Habitats

Bigheaded carps (bighead carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and their hybrids play an important ecological and economic role in their original habitat, while their introduced stocks may pose serious ecological risks. To address questions about the persistence and invasiveness of these fish, we need to better understand their population structures. The genetic structures of bigheaded carp populations inhabiting Lake Balaton and the Tisza River were examined with ten microsatellite markers and a mitochondrial DNA marker (COI). The Lake Balaton stock showed higher genetic diversity compared with the Tisza River stock. Based on hierarchical clustering, the Tisza population was characterized only by only silver carps, while the Balaton stock included hybrid and silver carp individuals. All COI haplotypes originated from the Yangtze River. Based on the high genomic and mitochondrial diversity, along with the significant deviation from H–W equilibrium and the lack of evidence of bottleneck effect, it can be assumed that bigheaded carps do not reproduce in Lake Balaton. The present stock in Balaton may have originated from repeated introductions and escapes from the surrounding fishponds. The Tisza stock consists solely of silver carp individuals. This stock appears to have significant reproductive potential and may become invasive if environmental factors change due to climate change.

Wheat Yield Forecasting for the Tisza River Catchment Using Landsat 8 NDVI and SAVI Time Series and Reported Crop Statistics

Due to the increasing global demand of food grain, early and reliable information on crop production is important in decision making in agricultural production. Remote sensing (RS)-based forecast models developed from vegetation indices have the potential to give quantitative and timely information on crops for larger regions or even at farm scale. Different vegetation indices are being used for this purpose, however, their efficiency in estimating crop yield certainly needs to be tested. In this study, wheat yield was derived by linear regressing reported yield values against a time series of six different peak-seasons (2013–2018) using the Landsat 8-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI). NDVI- and SAVI-based forecasting models were validated based on 2018–2019 datasets and compared to evaluate the most appropriate index that performs better in forecasting wheat production in the Tisza river basin. Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency index was positive with E1 = 0.716 for the model from NDVI and for SAVI E1 = 0.909, which means that the forecasting method developed and performed good forecast efficiency. The best time for wheat yield prediction with Landsat 8-SAVI and NDVI was found to be the beginning of full biomass period from the 138th to 167th day of the year (18 May to 16 June; BBCH scale: 41–71) with high regression coefficients between the vegetation indices and the wheat yield. The RMSE of the NDVI-based prediction model was 0.357 t/ha (NRMSE: 7.33%). The RMSE of the SAVI-based prediction model was 0.191 t/ha (NRMSE 3.86%). The validation of the results revealed that the SAVI-based model provided more accurate forecasts compared to NDVI. Overall, probable yield amount is possible to predict far before harvest (six weeks earlier) based on Landsat 8 NDVI and SAVI and generating simple thresholds for yield forecasting, and a potential loss of wheat yield can be mapped.

The Earliest Cremation Burials in the South-Eastern Alpine Region from the Middle Bronze Age – Signs of Intercultural Connections with the Northern Carpathian Basin

The article considers cremation graves from the site of Podsmreka near Višnja Gora (Slovenia). Based on the analysis of their pottery, it could be shown that the graves can be dated to the Middle Bronze Age period (Br B2/C1) and thus represent one of the oldest cremation burials of the Bronze Age in Slovenia. First, the ceramic finds from the radiocarbon dated settlement contexts are discussed in order to reach a more exact chronological framework for the vessel forms from graves. A synthesis of all Middle Bronze Age graves, both inhumations and cremations, from central and eastern Slovenia allows us to get a better understanding of when the change in burial practices occurred. Surprisingly, the best analogies for the vessels from graves at Podsmreka near Višnja Gora can be found in the northern Carpathian Basin, where we observe a long-standing tradition of cremation burials. The analysis of radiocarbon samples from two graves from Šafárikovo in Slovakia allowed us to verify the absolute chronology of urn amphorae vessels with particular form and decoration, which we can date between the second half of the 16th and the first half of the 15th century BC. Such astonishing correspondences in the pottery between the northern Carpathian Basin and the south-eastern Alpine region seem to indicate that the very area of the Upper Tisza river, and the territory of the Piliny Culture, played a crucial role in the transmission of new burial practices, not only to Slovenia, but also across wider areas along the Sava and Drava rivers on the distribution area of the Virovitica group.

Mechanical Resources Available At Middle Tisza District Water Directorate for External Flood Protection and Outsourcing

After 1998, the flood waves of the Tisza, Zagyva and Hármas-Körös rivers reached record levels in the area of operation of MTDWD requiring significant mechanical resources from the Water Directorate and participating external organizations in order to perform the protection tasks. In this article, the author describes the volume of mechanical resources used in the management of the MTDWD and the volume of those provided by external organizations during the flood control of the Tisza River in 2000, 2006 and 2010. It proves that in the event of flood defenses exceeding the order level, the Directorate’s own machinery resources are not sufficient, and that therefore, external machinery capacities are indispensable to meet future requirements.

The Ritual Role of Wells beyond their Everyday Water-providing Function

In 2011, in the Late Bronze Age settlement of Pusztataskony-Ledence, situated next to the Tisza River, a timber lined well (Kastenbrunnen, rováskút) with a preserved wooden structure and a large number of finds came to light. Based on the position, composition, and quality of the abundant finds found in the well infill, it is possible to reconstruct the manipulation and special treatment of household waste and its structured deposit at the well bottom. Throughout history, a series of diverse and complex rituals connected directly or indirectly to wells can be observed. This role derives from the close connection of man to water and the well. This function may appear earlier in the Life stage of the well’s life cycle, however, it culminates in the phase of Afterlife. By studying the Afterlife of the Pusztataskony well and other prehistoric examples, we attempt to outline and understand this special relationship. At the same time, we aim to define the archaeological characteristics and criteria to identify these ritual functions and meanings.