Geographica Pannonica Vol.26-4
July 22, 2026Geographica Pannonica Vol.26-2
July 22, 2026Geographica Pannonica - Volume 26, Issue 3
Volume 26, Issue 3 content (click on a plus button for more):
EDITORIAL NOTE AND BOOK REVIEW – NATURAL HAZARDS AND THE MITIGATION OF THEIR IMPACT
PIXEL AND OBJECT-BASED LAND COVER MAPPING AND CHANGE DETECTION FROM 1986 TO 2020 FOR HUNGARY USING HISTOGRAM-BASED GRADIENT BOOSTING CLASSIFICATION TREE CLASSIFIER
Authors: András Gudmann, László Mucsi
Abstract: The large-scale pixel-based land use/land cover classification is a challenging task, which depends on many circumstances. This study aims to create LULC maps with the nomenclature of Coordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) Land Cover (CLC) for years when the CLC databases are not available. Furthermore, testing the predicted maps for land use changes in the last 30 years in Hungary. Histogram-based gradient boosting classification tree (HGBCT) classifier was tested at classification. According to the results, the classifier, with the use of texture variance and landscape metrics is capable to generate accurate predicted maps, and the comparison of the predicted maps provides a detailed image
of the land use changes.
Keywords: land use; land cover; image classification; change detection; gradient boosting
Article info:
Received: May 06, 2022 | Revised: July 31, 2022 | Accepted: August 10, 2022
TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND OF PLANTS INVASION AS A NATURAL HAZARD:A CASE STUDY IN HUNGARY
Authors: Péter Szilassi, Georgina Veronika Visztra, Anna Soóky, Zoltán Bátori, Alida Anna Hábenczyus, Kata Frei, Csaba Tölgyesi, Márton Bence Balogh
Abstract: Biological invasion is a worldwide phenomenon that can be considered a natural hazard. Protection against invasive plant species can only be successful if we know the anthropogenic factors that influence their occurrence, such as changes in land cover. In our study, we investigated the LUCAS based spatial distribution of five common invasive plant species (2015) and its connections with the recent (2012-2018) land CORINE based cover changes. The LUCAS points infected with this species are much closer to the CORINE land cover change polygons than the non-infected points. Our results suggest that the occurrence of Asclepias syriaca, Solidago spp, Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia is significantly dependent on whether land use has changed in the vicinity of LUCAS points infected with these species. Only the occurrence of Elaeagnus angustifolia does not show any correlation with changes in land cover.
Keywords: land use change; biological invasion; natural risk; vegetation naturalness; anthropogenic processes
Article info:
Received: May 06, 2022 | Revised: July 31, 2022 | Accepted: August 10, 2022
CLIMATE CHANGE AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT ON THE CENTRAL PLAINS OF THE CARPATHIAN BASIN BASED ON REGIONAL WATER BALANCES
Authors: Hop Quang Tran, Zsolt Zoltán Fehér, Norbert Túri, János Rakonczai
Abstract: Climate change is an essential environmental challenge nowadays. Its effects are already being felt in multiple ways. In the future, we will also have to adapt to its effects because of our farming and our daily lives. In our research, we assessed the climate sensitivity of the lowland areas of Hungary through the changes in landscapes and the changes in groundwater resources that have the greatest impact on agriculture, using data from more than half of a century. We have quantified that at the mid-territory level (5-10 thousand km2) the groundwater resources show up to 3-5 km3/year changes in both positive and negative directions due to climatic effects. This significantly exceeds the anthropogenic water uses (the total water use of Hungary is about 5 km3 per year), so the effect of climate is the determining factor in the changes of regional water resources. Future changes in water circulation were modelled using the MIKE-SHE model in two micro-regions in Hungary. We have found that already at the level of the small catchments presented in our study, the water shortage increases by hundreds of millions of m3 per year due to the expected increase in temperature (mainly due to the increase in evapotranspiration), which cannot be compensated by current water supply solutions. Model simulations have confirmed previous results showing that groundwater movements play a very important role even in lowland landscapes. Based on our research, we would like to draw the attention of decision-makers and agricultural experts to the fact that current methods (irrigation, regional water transfers) are not sufficient for successful adaptation to climate change. So, it is not the limited precipitation but the inappropriate agricultural practices that cause a real threat in a changing climate. Based on our research, we have made a proposal for the adaptation of agriculture to climate change.
Keywords: landscape sensitivity; shallow groundwater storage; GIS; modelling; MIKE-SHE
Article info:
Received: April 03, 2022 | Revised: June 10, 2022 | Accepted: June 29, 2022
GENERATION OF A FLOOD SUSCEPTIBILITY MAP OF EVENLY WEIGHTED CONDITIONING FACTORS FOR HUNGARY
Authors: Noémi Sarkadi, Ervin Pirkhoffer, Dénes Lóczy, László Balatonyi, István Geresdi, Szabolcs Ákos Fábián, Gábor Varga, Richárd Balogh, Alexandra Gradwohl-Valkay, Ákos Halmai, Szabolcs Czigány
Abstract:Over the past decades, in the mountainous, hilly and/or urban areas of Hungary several high-intensity storms were followed by severe flash flooding and other hydrologic consequences. The overall aim of this paper was to upgrade the national flash flood susceptibility map of Hungary first published by Czigány et al. (2011). One elementary watershed level (FFSIws) and three settlement level flash flood susceptibility maps (FFSIs) were constructed using 13 environmental factors that influence flash flood generation. FFSI maps were verified by 2,677 documented flash flood events. In total, 5,458 watersheds were delineated. Almost exactly 10% of all delineated watersheds were included into the category of extreme susceptibility. While the number of the mean-based FFSIs demonstrated a normal quasi- Gaussian distribution with very low percentages in the quintile of low and extreme categories, the maximum-based FFSIs overemphasized the proportion of settlements of high and extreme susceptibility. These two categories combined accounted for more than 50% of all settlements. The highest accuracy at 59.02% for class 5 (highest susceptibility) was found for the majority based FFSIs. The current map has been improved compared to the former one in terms of (i) a higher number of conditional factors considered, (ii) higher resolution, (iii) being settlement-based and (iv) a higher number of events used for verification.
Keywords: flood potential; flash flood; susceptibility; ArcGIS; FFSI; conditional factors
Received: July 04, 2022 | Revised: September 15, 2022 | Accepted: September 15, 2022
RIVER ICE MONITORING OF THE DANUBE AND TISZA RIVERS USING SENTINEL-1 RADAR DATA
Authors: Boudewijn van Leeuwen, György Sipos, Jenő Lábdy, Márta Baksa, Zalán Tobak
Abstract: Due to extreme weather, occasionally Hungary’s main rivers and lakes grow an ice cover causing severe damage to infrastructure and increased flood hazard. During cold periods in 2017 and 2022, a dangerous layer of ice developed on the main rivers in the country. Since river ice is rare in this region, no permanent ice monitoring system is in operation. Due to their all weather capabilities, active remote sensing instruments provide a good opportunity to monitor ice coverage. ESA’s Sentinel-1 radar satellites acquire data with a relatively high spatial and temporal resolution. A method was developed to provide ice coverage information at a regular interval; depending on the satellite revisit, at least once every 5 days, but often also on a daily basis. In 2017, maps were created for sections along the Danube and in 2022 for another section of the Tisza river. The ice coverage was calculated with a spatial resolution of 10 metre and visualised with a spatial density of 100 metre along the rivers. The mapping procedure provides visual information to give a fast overview of the spatial extent of ice coverage and quantitative, tabular information for operational activities to mitigate the damage due to ice packs and ice jams.
Keywords: river ice; classification; Sentinel-1; flood; radar; Danube; Tisza
Received: August 04, 2022 | Revised: September 21, 2022 | Accepted: September 21, 2022
ALLUVIAL RIDGE DEVELOPMENT AND STRUCTURE: CASE STUDY ON THE UPPER TISZA, HUNGARY
Authors: Tímea Kiss, György Sipos, Róbert Vass
Abstract: The juxtaposition of natural levees results in alluvial ridges with a unique fluvial record. Our aims were to (1) identify the alluvial ridges of the Upper Tisza (Hungary); (2) determine their morphological characteristics; and (3) reconstruct the Late Quaternary fluvial history of the region. The oldest paleo-meander was abandoned ca. 29 ka ago; referring to early avulsion of the Tisza. Five alluvial ridges were identified with intensive fluvial activity at ca. 12-13 ka, 7.7-8.6 ka, 6.1-6.6 ka, 4.8 and 2.9 ka ago. Moderate fluvial activity was indicated by early Atlantic and Subboreal paleosols. The sedimentation rate in the paleo-channels (0.3-0.5 mm/y) and on the alluvial ridges (0.3-0.5 mm/y) was slow, influenced by the reactivation of a paleo-channel.
Keywords: natural levee; alluvial ridge; overbank sedimentation; crevasse channel; pollen analysis; OSL dating
Received: June 10, 2022 | Revised: July 24, 2022 | Accepted: July 28, 2022
PLOT-LEVEL FIELD MONITORING WITH SENTINEL-2 AND PLANETSCOPE DATA FOR EXAMINATION OF SEWAGE SLUDGE DISPOSAL IMPACT
Authors: Ferenc Kovács, Zsuzsanna Ladányi
Abstract: Agricultural use of sewage sludge is one of the means of sustainable environmental management. In order to monitor the short-term effects of sludge disposal a multi-year, high-resolution data collection was planned on arable land in south-eastern Hungary. Data acquisition was applied at the highest temporal and spatial resolution using Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope satellite imagery observing the vegetation period based on vegetation indices (EVI, NDVI) from 2016 to 2021. There were statistical differences in the case of sunflower and maize biomass productions but the spatial and statistical deviations between the affected and non-affected areas of sludge disposal were generally not significant. The sensitivity of EVI in the dense vegetation period and its applicability might be emphasized in a comparative analysis.
Keywords: sewage sludge; agricultural monitoring; Sentinel-2; PlanetScope; spectral index
Received: May 19, 2022 | Revised: August 04, 2022 | Accepted: August 10, 2022
ASSESSING THE STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF ARTIFICIAL LEVEES ALONG THE LOWER TISZA RIVER (HUNGARY)
Authors: Diaa Sheishah, György Sipos, Alexandru Hegyi, Péter Kozák, Enas Abdelsamei, Csaba Tóth, Alexandru Onaca, Dávid Gergely Páll
Abstract: Levees are earth structures constructed along alluvial rivers and are considered to be one of the essential components of flood risk and natural hazard reduction. The preservation of their condition would require orderly monitoring. In Hungary, an over 4200 km long levee system was constructed from the 19th century on. Since then, many natural and anthropogenic processes, such as compaction, erosion, subsidence etc., could contribute to the slow but steady deformation of these structures. In the meantime, due to the lack of documentation, their structure and internal composition are still unclear in many sections. The present study uses different geophysical techniques to validate their efficiency in detecting the structure, composition and potential defects along a 3.6 km levee section of the Lower Tisza River, affected significantly by seepage and piping phenomena during floods. Measurements were made using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and drillings. Information obtained by the different techniques was cross-checked and combined. This way, the potential of the applied survey strategy could be demonstrated, and the selected levee section could be assessed in terms of its structure and composition. Consequently, the major reasons for frequently occurring adverse flood phenomena at the site could be revealed. The survey approach outlined in the present paper can be applied extensively along lowland levee systems in the region and elsewhere.
Keywords: levee assessment; flood risk; Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT); Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Received: August 02, 2022 | Revised: September 16, 2022 | Accepted: September 17, 2022
EVALUATION OF OFF-SITE EFFECTS OF WIND-ERODED SEDIMENTS ESPECIALLY THE CONTENT OF PESTICIDES
Authors: Katalin Csányi, Andrea Farsang
Abstract: Wind-eroded sediment, as an environmental transport pathway of toxic elements and pesticids, can result in environmental- and human exposure far beyond the agricultural areas where it has been applied. In our research we quantified the pesticide residues moving in the soil near Szeged (Hungary) on the original soil surface of agricultural areas with a portable wind tunnel. Before the experiments, a portion of the sample area was treated with chlorpyrifos and pendimethalin. A control area was also selected. In 2017-2019, a total of 42 wind event experiments were conducted by examining the topsoil samples. During the experiments, moving soil particles were trapped at various heights (5-10 cm, 20-25 cm and 50-55 cm) and the pesticide concentrates by GC-MS were measured. The enrichment ratios (ER) were calculated, and statistical analyzes were also carried out (SPSS). The measurements obtained that the pendimethalin ER is much higher in the rolled fraction (mean: 13.7) than chlorpyrifos (mean: 2.9). Our measurements showed that the enrichment of chlorpyrifos and pendimethalin can be detected in the rolling and suspended soil particles.
Keywords: wind erosion; chlorpyrifos; pendimethalin; wind tunnel experiment
Received: May 27, 2022 | Revised: September 26, 2022 | Accepted: September 26, 2022
ACTIVE GEOMORPHIC HAZARDS IN THE SÂMBĂTA VALLEY, FĂGĂRAȘ MOUNTAINS (ROMANIA): A TREE-RING BASED APPROACH
Authors: Patrick Chiroiu, Alexandru Onaca, Andrei Matica, Iosif-Otniel Lopătiţă, Oana Berzescu
Abstract: The present study addresses, for the first time, the problem of spatio-temporal reconstruction of geomorphic processes using tree-rings in the Sâmbăta Valley (Romanian Carpathians). The dendrogeomorphic analysis was conducted in two different sites, one affected by snow avalanches and the other by rockfall. A total number of 130 Picea Abies were sampled in the two sites. The results yield 13 major snow avalanches between 1950 and 2020 and a return period of 3.3 years. The winters with the highest activity index were 1988, 1997 and 2012. The rockfall reconstruction highlights several years of intense activity: 1952, 1955, 2003 and 2012. Thus, the results of the present study provide evidence of active geomorphic processes in the studied area, indicating that tourists are highly exposed to geomorphic hazards, as both sites interfere with popular hiking trails. (Because Sâmbăta Valley is one of the most intensely frequented by tourists in the Făgăraș Mountains, it is a need for warning signs to be installed on the exposed trails.
Keywords: snow avalanches; rockfall; natural hazards; dendrogeomorphology; Romania
Received: April 28, 2022 | Revised: June 24, 2022 | Accepted: July 01, 2022
HUMAN-NATURE RELATIONSHIP AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS ALONG THE MAROS/MUREŞ RIVER (HUNGARY AND ROMANIA)
Authors: György Sipos, Viktória Blanka-Végi, Florina Ardelean, Alexandru Onaca, Zsuzsanna Ladányi, Attila Rácz, Petru Urdea
Abstract: Public participation is increasingly important in flood and environmental management planning. Accordingly, understanding the attitude of local society to natural values and their relations with the environment is highly important to realize successful development projects. This study aimed to analyze the human-nature relationship, the public perceptions of environmental hazards and people’s engagement with water management related and human interventions at Maros/Mureş River through a public survey. The survey was carried out in 11 Romanian and Hungarian settlements using the random walking method to interview the local public. The results show that people are a little pessimistic concerning the state of the river, and there are misbeliefs about the general problems affecting its present environmental status. Meanwhile, the perception of flood hazard is governed by the fading memory of the last high-risk flood event in 1970. The engagement of residents is mostly affected by socio-demographic parameters. However, the regularity they visit the river is also very important. Consequently, informing people on apparent environmental issues and processes can greatly help the socially inclusive implementation of water management measures along the river.
Keywords: Maros/Mureş River; public survey; human-nature relationship; human interventions; river and floodplain management
Received: August 15, 2022 | Revised: September 28, 2022 | Accepted: September 30, 2022
THREE CENTURIES OF DYNAMICS IN THE LOWLAND SECTION, INDUCED BY HUMAN IMPACT – A SOCIOGEOMORPHIC APPROACH
Authors: Fabian Timofte, Petru Urdea
Abstract: This study aims to analyze one of the most dynamic sections in the lower part of the Mureș River, Lipova- Arad sector. The geological and tectonic context influenced the shifts of the watercourse at both a regional scale and a local one. The channelization works have shortened the length of the channel by 1/3 of it. The flood events in the 70s and the mining activity have also influenced the evolution of the river in last decades. Accelerating the geomorphological processes, mostly after the great floods, have narrowed the channel by 35%, and have reduced the total islands surface by almost 80%. In this context, the Mureș River try to reach the dynamic equilibrium state had before the human interventions. Under the anthropic pressure the geomorphological processes have been accelerated and the landscape left behind in Lipova-Arad section, along the Mureș River suffered important changes.
Keywords: meanders; historical changes; channel migration; GIS; sociogeomorphology; Mureș River; Romania
Received: April 29, 2022 | Revised: June 10, 2022 | Accepted: July 01, 2022