Abstract:

Volunteers of BirdLife Hungary / MME studied the distribution, population size, and habitat requirements of the Hungarian Meadow Viper to assess the effects of different management regimes on this endangered reptile. The survey found potential breeding areas in the districts of Fót-Gödöllő-Budapest-Ócsa-Dabas-Tatárszentgyörgy-Kunpeszér-Bugyi (ca. I 000 km²). We have registered the size, isolation, ownership, status of protection and mode of utilization of these areas, including grassland management techniques. The persistence of Meadow Viper was detected in 11 areas. Detailed study of the population size estimation by sex and age has been started in two areas. We found that the management of potential and known breeding areas was harmful for the Hungarian Meadow Vipers, even though most of them were protected areas. We suggest potential management methods that could increase the chance of surviving of the different populations.