Tóth, T. and M. Kertész. 1993. Mapping the degradation of solonezic 
grassland. Agrokémia és Talajtan. 42:43-54.


In a characteristic landscape of Hortobágy, the largest contiguous 
solonetzic grassland in Central Europe the status of vegetation and 
soil degradation was studied applying aerial photography.

The patches of the vegetation types which represent different soil 
types as well were interpreted from the standpoint of vegetation and 
soil degradation. The most important processes which determine the 
present day degradation are the fluctuation of ground water level, 
erosion of the eluvial A horizon by runoff, grazing, trampling and 
other anthropogenic effects, e.g. vehicle tracks.

The sample plot was 800 by 200 m large. The resolution of the 
photograph was approx. 1 m, and the map compiled was of 1:500 
scale. The delineation of the vegetation patches on the aerial 
photograph was based on colors and pattern. Subsequently a field 
survey was carried out to identify the types of patches. During 
field survey special care was taken not to record merely plant 
association but in addition to describe the degradation status 
by the use of habitat terms. As the resolution was fine many 
types of vegetation were distinguished and consequently the 
characterization of the vegetation was detailed enough.

The patches showed the effect of erosion, trampling, anthropogenic 
disturbance, all major factors of the degradation. Owing to the 
resolution besides receiving homogeneous patches, mixed ones were 
also obtained. Therefore some characteristic form of the erosion, 
even if they comprise more than one type of the vegetation, should 
be categorized as one complex.