News
We went to a “raccoon conference” in the place where it all began…
Staff from the Division of Invasion Biology of NLHS delivered presentations at the 3rd EURORACCOON Meeting, held in Germany in March 2025
The 1st Conference on Invasion Biology and One Biosecurity
The “first of its kind” conference in Hungary enabled nationwide and international discussion on invasive alien species – a cohesive action plan is finally on the horizon The conference took place in Sarlóspuszta, Hungary between 26 and 28 February 2025, organised by the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research and the Invasion Biology Division of NLHS. […]
New study on the presence of invasive species in areas of habitat restoration in Kiskunság
A new study of HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research was recently published in the 2nd issue of Volume 22 of Tájökológiai Lapok, titled ’The impact of location, direction and distance on the abundance of invasive species in the surroundings of restoration experiments in the Kiskunság region of Hungary’.
Cloth-dispersed seeds of invasive plant species can survive laundry washing
Seeds of plant species are often dispersed unintentionally on our clothes, which thanks to the increasing mobility of people, can be important events in the process of biological invasions. Researchers from the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, ‘Lendület’ Seed Ecology Research Group have found that most seeds remain viable after typical household washing.
Potential distribution of invasive tiger mosquitos
Researchers used citizen science data to study the distribution of three invasive mosquito species in Hungary.
What is buzzing good for? Bioacoustic research in the mosquito lab
Researchers of the National Laboratory for Health Security’s Mosquito Monitor program created a new laboratory to breed invasive mosquitoes and to study their acoustic ecology.
Impact of plant invasion on ground nesting bees
Ground-nesting bees are highly sensitive to changes in vegetation, flower supply and soil properties caused by plant invasions.
Biological invasions on Indigenous peoples’ lands.
Biological invasions are a growing challenge around the world. Meanwhile, it is now widely recognised and acknowledged that indigenous peoples’ territories play a key role in global biodiversity conservation.
The invasion of North American sand dropseed in Hungary
The invasion of North American sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) in Hungary mainly threatens vulnerable open sandy grasslands. As there is already considerable field experience and research on the species in Hungary, and as this has shown that we are facing a very serious problem, it has become necessary to organise a large-scale professional meeting to discuss the most pressing issues of the invasion of sand prairie grass in Hungary.
Many species of disturbance-tolerant and invasive plants appear in the clearcuts and their populations persist for many years
Areas under continuous cover forestry methods may be more resistant to disturbance-tolerant and invasive species than areas under cutting management, so increasing the proportion of areas under continuous cover forestry management in our country would be important from both ecological and conservation perspectives.
What is the key to the success of invasive grass species? Our new article in Oikos
Led by researchers from the University of Alberta in Canada, members of the CER ‘Lendület’ Seed Ecology Research Group also participated in an international study to find the key to the success of invasive grass species.
SEEN Hungary 2024 – Citizen Science Conference and Workshop
In January 2024, the HUN-REN Ecological Research Centre’s Evolutionary Ecology Research Group launched a network of community science projects on conservation and ecology in Hungary. The SEEN (Social Engagement in Ecology Network) Conference, held in Tata on 18-19 January, aimed primarily to create a living link between Hungarian community science projects and the researchers […]
Native plant species play a key role in restoring invasion-resistant plant communities
A systematic review and meta-analysis on seed-based ecological restoration experiments was conducted in collaboration with several research groups at the HUN-REN Ecological Research Centre, National Laboratory of Health Security, Division of Invasion Biology, to investigate the potential of functional similarity, seeding density and priority effects to increase resistance to invasion.
Ecologists and hikers have a major role in the seed dispersal of weedy and invasive plant species
Nowadays, one of the most effective seed dispersal vectors are humans. The key our efficiency is the rapidly growing rate of global transport, trade and tourism, which enables us to move more and more easily and quickly between distant biogeographical regions, and even between continents. Based on the results of studies so far, nearly 500 species have been registered to be able to spread on clothing, and most of thes are weed and invasive species that cause serious conservation problems, especially in the isolated habitats.
Community science based monitoring of invasive mammal and bird species
Community science based monitoring of invasive mammal and bird species of Hungary has begun in a cooperation between the Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation of Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) and the Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research.
Invasion Biology Division research at the Eurasian Grassland Conference
This year, the Eurasian Grassland Conference was held in Szarvas, organized by the Lendület Seed Ecology Research Group of the HUN-REN Ecological Research Centre and the Körös-Maros National Park Directorate, where several research groups of the Invasion Biology Division presented their latest results.
Indirect effects of plant invasion and fragmentation on native plants and grassland arthropods
Plant invasion and habitat fragmentation have adverse effects on biodiversity in almost all ecosystems. Our research explored the direct and indirect effects of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) invasion on plant and arthropod biodiversity.
Citizen science and mosquito research: the relationship between urbanisation and invasive mosquitoes in Hungary
Urbanisation can contribute significantly to the spread of invasive mosquito species and the diseases they spread.
