The Physical Geography of Hungary (eBook)

Preface 7
Acknowledgements 7
Contents 11
General Characteristics of the Physical Geography of Hungary 16
1 Relief Evolution 17
Abstract 17
1.1 Paleozoic and Mesozoic Relief Evolution and Palaeo-Geography 17
1.1.1 Palaeo-Geography of the Paleozoic 20
1.1.2 Palaeo-Geography of the Mesozoic 24
1.2 Palaeo-Geography of the Tertiary 29
1.2.1 Palaeo-Geography and Landforms of the Eocene 29
1.2.2 Palaeo-Geography and Landforms of the Oligocene 33
1.2.3 Palaeo-Geography of the Miocene 35
1.2.4 Palaeo-Geography of the Late Miocene 42
1.2.5 Palaeo-Geography of the Pliocene 45
1.3 Chronology and Main Palaeo-Geographical Features of the Quaternary 50
1.3.1 Tectonic Changes in the Pleistocene 51
1.3.2 Evolution of the River Network 54
1.3.2.1 The Evolution of the River Network of the Danube in Hungary 54
1.3.2.2 The Transforming Water System in Transdanubia 57
1.3.2.3 The Evolution of the Water System of the Tisza River in the Carpathian Basin 59
1.3.3 Alluvial Fans in the Carpathian Basin 62
1.4 Evolution of Terraces in the Carpathian Basin (Kiss, T.) 65
1.4.1 The Location of Terraces and the Influencing Factors of Their Evolution in Hungary 65
1.4.2 The Influencing Factors of the Development of the Hungarian Terrace Systems 68
1.4.3 Identification and Dating Methods of Terraces 69
1.4.4 The Factors Transforming the Terraces 70
1.5 Forms and Processes of Loess and Blown Sand Territories in Hungary 70
1.5.1 Some Physical Geographical Issues of the Loess 70
1.5.2 Blown Sand Forms and Processes (Kiss, T.) 77
1.5.2.1 Location and Evolution of Blown Sand Areas 77
1.5.2.2 The Aeolian Landscape 78
1.5.2.3 Main Blown Sand Areas in Hungary 79
1.5.2.4 Environmental Issues of Sand Areas 82
1.6 Periglacial Forms and Processes 82
1.7 Main Geographical Issues of the Hungarian Karst Areas 87
1.7.1 Main Regional Characteristics of Karstification 89
1.7.2 The Hungarian Karst Types 92
1.7.3 Some Questions of the Anthropogenic Use of Karsts 98
1.8 Main Features of Climate, Vegetation and Fauna of the Quaternary (Kiss, T.) 98
1.8.1 Main Features of the Quaternary Flora and Fauna 100
1.8.2 Historical Changes of the Flora and Fauna in the Pleistocene 100
1.8.3 Landscape Development and Climate Changes 102
1.9 Late Glacial and Holocene Landforms and Processes 102
1.9.1 Palaeo-geography of the Late Glacial 102
1.9.2 The Division of the Holocene 103
1.9.3 Main Environmental Changes in the Holocene 105
References 110
2 Climate of Hungary 115
Abstract 115
2.1 Factors Influencing the Climate of the Carpathian Basin, the Climate Type 115
2.2 Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of the Main Climatic Parameters 116
2.2.1 Regional Differences in Sunshine Duration 117
2.2.2 Spatial Distribution of Air Temperature 117
2.2.3 Spatial Differences in Precipitation 119
2.2.4 Wind Conditions 122
2.3 Social Aspects of Climate 123
2.3.1 Number of Snow-Covered Days: Potentials for Skiing 123
2.3.2 Potentials to Utilize Renewable Climatic Energy Resources 123
2.3.2.1 Solar Energy Capacity 125
2.3.2.2 Wind Power Capacity 125
2.3.3 Special Climatic Features of Cities 126
2.3.4 Further Climatic Capabilities and Hazards 126
2.4 Past and Future of the Climate 130
References 132
3 Hydrography of Hungary 134
Abstract 134
3.1 Hydrographical Characteristics of Surface Waters 134
3.1.1 Catchment-Scale Hydrology of the Carpathian Basin 134
3.1.2 Rivers 138
3.1.3 Lakes 146
3.2 Subsurface Waters 161
3.2.1 Position and Spatial Changes of the Groundwater 162
3.2.2 Flow Conditions and Water Household of Artesian Waters 165
3.2.3 Quantitative Characteristics of Karst and Crack Waters 169
3.2.4 Bank-Filtered Waters 172
3.3 Some Anthropogenic Impacts on the Water System 172
References 175
4 Soils of Hungary 178
Abstract 178
4.1 Zonal Soils Characterised by the Dominant Influence of Climate 179
4.2 Intrazonal Soils 181
4.3 Azonal Soils 183
4.4 Anthropogenic Impacts on Soils 183
References 187
5 Natural Vegetation of Hungary 188
Abstract 188
5.1 Geographical Features of the Zonal Vegetation in the Carpathian Basin 188
5.2 Typical Plant Communities in Hungary 191
5.3 Anthropogenic Impacts Influencing and Altering the Vegetation in Hungary 193
5.4 Nature Protection in Hungary 195
References 198
Regional Physical Geography of Hungary: An Overview 199
6 Division of the Natural Landscape Regions 200
Abstract 200
6.1 History of the Hungarian Landscape Division 201
6.2 The Structure of Landscapes and Their Hungarian System 202
References 204
7 Physical Geography of the Great Hungarian Plain 205
Abstract 205
7.1 Location and the Main Evolutionary Periods of the Macro-Region 205
7.1.1 The Climatic Conditions of the Great Hungarian Plain 207
7.1.2 Hydrography of the Great Hungarian Plain 208
7.1.3 Soils and Vegetation of the Great Hungarian Plain 208
7.2 Overview on the Evolutionary Types of the Regions of the Great Hungarian Plain and Their Physical Geographical Characteristics 209
7.3 Environmental Values and Hazards in the Great Hungarian Plain 221
7.3.1 Consequences of Channel Regulation and Flood Control Works 234
References 238
8 Physical Geography of the Little Hungarian Plain 240
Abstract 240
8.1 Location and the Main Evolutionary Periods of the Macro-Region 240
8.2 Overview on the Evolutionary Types of the Regions of the Little Hungarian Plain and Their Physical Geographical Characteristics 244
8.3 The Most Important Natural Values and Some Environmental Conflicts of the Little Hungarian Plain 247
References 251
9 Physical Geographical of the West Hungarian Border Region 252
Abstract 252
9.1 Physical Geography and Landscape Development 252
9.2 Geographical Units of the West Hungarian Border Region 255
9.3 Some Natural Values and Environmental Conflicts of the West Hungarian Border Region 260
References 262
10 Physical Geography of the Transdanubian Mountains 264
Abstract 264
10.1 Location and the Main Evolutionary Periods of the Macro-Region 264
10.2 Overview on the Evolutionary Types of the Regions of the Transdanubian Mountains and Their Physical Geographical Characteristics 267
10.3 Some Natural Values and Environmental Hazards of the Transdanubian Mountains 273
References 275
11 Physical Geography of the Transdanubian Hills 277
Abstract 277
11.1 Location and the Main Evolutionary Periods of the Macro-Region 277
11.2 Overview on the Evolutionary Types of the Regions of the Transdanubian Hills and Their Physical Geographical Characteristics 281
11.3 Some Natural Values and Environmental Issues of the Transdanubian Hills (with the Collaboration of Bata, T.) 285
References 288
12 Physical Geography of the North Hungarian Mountains 290
Abstract 290
12.1 Physical Geography and Landscape Development 290
12.2 The Genetic Overview and Some Physical Geographical Issues of the North Hungarian Mountains 294
12.3 Some Natural Values and Environmental Hazards of the North Hungarian Mountains 314
References 318
Appendix A: Landscape Units of Hungary 321
Appendix B: The Landscape Typesof Hungary 328
Index 330