Somogyi Múzeumok Közleményei 16. (2004)
Szalóki Ildikó – Bódis Judit: A Lellei-Bozót és a Szemesi-Berek élőhelyei
289 Habitats of Bozót (Balatonlelle) and Berek (Balatonszemes), (Somogy county, Hungary) ILDIKÓ SZALÓKY—JUDIT BÓDIS The study area was part of a huge peatland which was connected to the Lake Balaton until the end of the 18th century. Only fragments of peat-vegetation have remained due to the drainage. The water level of marshes was determined by the lake during centuries. The Romans have already recognised that water regulation need to be done for the sake of colonisation and agricultural utilization. That is why peat areas continuously have been canalized since then, including those situated between Balatonlelle and Balatonszemes, where our investigation took place. Historical documents verify the economic role of marshes and peatlands during long periods. The meadows had been mowed and grazed, field covered by reed and sedge had been harvested. That utilization changed in the last decade. The grazing gradually ceased, mowing and harvesting became unsystematical. Wood plantation and peat digging appeared as new uses. In addition to that, a new highway will be constructed in the south part of the study area. The largest part of the area is covered by weedy stands of reed to date. Common habitats also the following: characterless wet meadow, degraded Arrhenatherum meadow, characterless marsh meadow. There are Robinia and AInus plantations and characterless dry meadows in the higher and drier surfaces, called „islands". Mainly common species were found, the lack of rare and sensible species was typical. However, valuable, fresh habitat demanding species, like Cirsium brachycephalum and Schoenus nigricans can also be found. Some habitats seem natural or semi-natural such as weedless patches of reed stands, fragments of dried out Molinia meadows, new colonization of Schoenus nigricans and small C/aaf/'um-stands. Results of the investigation reflect the main part of the area covered by characterless habitats, but few really peat species and habitats still have survived.
