WWF Hungary organized a workshop on November 12–13, 2024, as a joint event of the CLIMAFORCEELIFE and LIFE LOGOS 4 WATERS projects. The aim of the workshop was to share practical experience of different sector representatives involved in natural water retention applicable to mountain and hill forests and to discuss further opportunities and limitations in the context of climate adaptation. Special emphasis was placed on creating a space for professionals from management, forestry, authorities, and research to collaborate during the two-day event.
The workshop was held in Szendehely-Katalinpuszta, located on the southern side of the Börzsöny Mountains.
To support and stimulate collaborative thinking, we invited speakers to present their knowledge, experience, implemented projects, and research findings related to forest water retention within their fields of expertise.
Introductory presentations, panel discussions, and moderated conversations were structured into three thematic blocks, each offering insights into a specific sub-topic:
➢ Scientific Background:
Water management in mountainous and hilly forests and climate change; ecological and economic impacts; water retention; climate adaptation and conservation benefits; applied research and field experiences
➢ Regulatory and Administrative Background:
Panel discussion on the regulatory background, permitting procedures, and practical experiences involving representatives from various sectors and authorities
➢ Practical Experience:
On-the-ground pilot projects implementing natural water retention in mountain and hill areas, showcasing national and international best practices, lessons learned, limitations, and future directions for interventions
Presentations in the “Science in Practice” block:
- Pál Bódis, Project Coordinator, Forest Programme, WWF Hungary:
Welcome and presentation of the CLIMA4CEELIFE “Climate-Smart Forest Management in Central and Eastern Europe” project - Dr. Péter Kalicz, University of Sopron, Institute of Forest Infrastructure and Water Management:
Forest water cycles and water retention - Dr. Zoltán Csabai, University of Pécs, Department of Hydrobiology:
On Drying from Many Angles: Changes in biodiversity, ecosystem processes, and services based on results from the DRYvER project - Dr. Szabolcs Czigány and Dr. Ervin Pirkhoffer, University of Pécs, Department of Physical Geography and Environmental Sciences:
Too much or too little water in small catchments in Hungary: Addressing extremes with monitoring and modeling - Tamás Karakai, Head of the Börzsöny Unit, Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate:
Water retention activities in the Börzsöny Mountains
Panel Discussion on Regulatory Background
Moderator: Dr. Vera Gáspár, Senior Chief Advisor, Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Future Generations
Panelists:
- Péter Dobay, Head of Department, Pest County Government Office, Agricultural Department
- Dr. Zoltán Vimi, Head of Department, Ministry of Energy, Water Management Regulatory Department
- István Galamb, Head of Division, Pest County Government Office, Environmental, Nature Conservation and Waste Management Department, Nature Conservation Division
The panelists agreed that the expansion of activities related to natural water retention is desirable and could bring benefits to all affected sectors. However, it often requires innovative approaches both from practitioners and the supervising authorities. The current legal framework is primarily designed for well-regulated, engineered interventions and may be only partially or awkwardly applicable to natural water retention measures. A future review of these regulations may be justified.
Water Retention, Climate Adaptation and Nature Conservation Perspectives, Best Practices
- Dr. Johanna Ficsor, National University of Public Service, Department of Regional Water Management:
Technical and water management foundations of nature-based water retention solutions - Viktor Mátyás Farkas, Climate Adaptation Expert, Climate-Energy Programme, WWF Hungary:
Water retention as a tool for flood risk management and mitigating drought – examples from Poland and England - Dr. Erika Juhász, Centre for Ecological Research, Traditional Ecological Knowledge Research Group:
The role of beaver dams and beaver dam analogues in water management and biodiversity conservation - Ferenc Réder, Strategic Advisor, Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development, Technical Public Procurement Department:
The upcoming KEHOP Plus call in the field of Green Infrastructure (nature-based solutions), with global best practice insights
Sharing Experience, Discussions, Q&A
The evening group dinner and the informal conversations that followed provided excellent opportunities to form new professional connections and exchange perspectives and experiences.
Field Visit – November 13
On Wednesday, November 13, participants had the opportunity to explore small-scale water retention interventions implemented in the Börzsöny Mountains by the Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate and Ipolyerdő Zrt.
The day began with introductions and local context from our hosts:
Tamás Karakai (Unit Head, DINPD Börzsöny Unit), Zoltán Varga and László Zanati (Forestry Managers, Ipolyerdő Zrt.)
We then examined and discussed several notable examples of natural water retention interventions carried out in the Börzsöny in the past decade:
- Water retention pool below the Foltán clearing (Diósjenő 58/A)
(Börzsöny Foundation, DINPD, Ipolyerdő Zrt. Diósjenő Forestry)
A breeding site for amphibians formed by retaining seepage water. A particularly noteworthy design feature was placing the overflow on the uphill side rather than the slope side, thus reducing erosion and runoff speed. - Water diversion channels and infiltration depressions along forest access roads – “Strekk”
(DINPD, Ipolyerdő Zrt. Diósjenő Forestry)
Conceptual-level road design beyond basic drainage, using heavy machinery operated by Kemence Forestry to shape road surfaces to slow runoff. Water is diverted into larger sedimentation ponds alongside the road, reducing erosion and sediment transport. - Multi-purpose water retention pool alongside road repairs above Királyháza
(DINPI, Ipolyerdő Zrt. Kemence Forestry)
Combined objectives: water retention, long-term road stabilization, small stream water quality protection, amphibian breeding site creation. A large alder swamp-type wetland was formed using water from the Király-kút spring, connected to a stabilized ford in the Kemence stream. The concrete structure also functions as a small overflow dam.
The event was organized with the support of the LIFE Programme of the European Union.