J. Pótó, M. Tolnai, P. Zilahy (eds.): Understanding the Hungarian Academy of Sciences : a guide
Strategic Researches At The Hungarian Academy Of Sciences
STRATEGIC RESEARCHES AT THE HUNGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Hungarian science abroad (A programme of the Presidential Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences ) (Programme director: DÉNES BERÉNYL) This programme aims to formulate a strategy for Hungarian scientific activities in foreign countries. This includes the clarification of the notion of Hungarian science abroad, as well as the establishment of the closest connections and co-operation possible with Hungarian scientists and scientific workshops outside Hungary. Furthermore, the programme also extends to operating an institutional and scholarship system (Domus Hungarica) enabling Hungarian scientists living abroad to take up residence and work in Hungary. 8. WATER MANAGEMENT IN HUNGARY: PRESENT SITUATION AND FUTURE PROSPECTS (Programme director: LÁSZLÓ SOMLYÓDY) The main objective of this research programme is to provide a scientifically based strategic background for water management. The prognoses for the forthcoming decades deal with (I) the changing relationship between water and society, (II) new approaches related to the concept of sustainable development, (III) the impact of global climatic and economical changes and (IV) the consequences of EU-integration. These general aspects together with the special Hungarian circumstances (the high ratio of surface water resources that originates from abroad, the importance of the vulnerable subsurface water resources in the drinking water supply, the considerable lag in water infrastructure, large — often artificially modified - lowland catchment areas, high risk of floods, simultaneous demand for handling irrigation and drainage issues) are the starting points for analysing various scenarios and identifying the basic elements of future strategies. The latter may serve as the basis for formulating a new policy of water management for the coming few years and for identifying research needs. (For further detail see home page: www.vcst.bme.hu/cimlapl. htm) 9. HUNGARIAN ECOLOGICAL RESEARCHES FOR AN EASTCENTRAL-EUROPEAN SCIENTIFIC NETWORK (Programme director: ATTILA BORHIDL) The aim of this programme is to contribute to and join ongoing international integrated programmes in the following areas: formation of an East-Central-European research network, development of its scientific background and means. Long-term experimental ecological model-studies aimed at nature conservation and environmental protection on ecological field-sites (ILTERProject). Ecological studies on environmental changes in wetland-areas (Ramsar-Agreement). Studies on biotope, community and production changes provoked by the global climatic change (IGBP GCTE- Core Project). Ecophysiological and ecotoxicological studies on economically important plants and animals (EUGCTE, ESPACE, ECOCRAFT Projects). Research on and the protection of microbiological biodiversity. Research on the sustainable use of biological communities in agricultural and forest ecosystems (Sustainable Development Project, COST- E4 Project). Long-term research in strategically important and highly endangered areas (Budapest Agglomeration). Studies on ecological changes of hydro-biotopes in the valley-systems of the Danube and Tisza rivers, monitoring and studies of ecological changes of lakes and standing waters (Alföld [Great Hungarian Plain] project. International Danube- Project, OECD-qualification Project). Landscape-ecological studies and mapping in the Hungarian Plains (Alföld- Project). Gene-conservation, genebank-treatment and population biological studies on protected and endangered species (IUCN- Project). Study of processes in secondary successions with special emphasis on changes in abandoned areas after cultivation and their rehabilitation (NO-LIMITS- Project). 10. EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCHES TO EXPLORE AND PROTECT HUNGARY'S ENVIRONMENT (Programme director: ERNŐ MÉSZÁROS, in 2000: FERENC SCHWEI TZER) Under this programme researches have been started in three main fields: (1) Waste disposal (assessment and forecasting of potential natural dangers and the relieving of their 55
