Hungary’s drying wetlands underscore mounting climate stress

Hungarian farmers are using shallow‑watered pastures to keep bison and cattle cool during intense summer heat, highlighting the growing importance of water‑retention practices for livestock welfare and landscape management.

Scientists and ecologists warn that rising temperatures, more frequent heatwaves, reduced summer rainfall and falling groundwater levels are causing historic wetlands and shallow lakes across the Great Plain to recede. Notable sites such as the Kolon‑tó have seen water levels drop to record lows, threatening bird colonies, amphibians, fish stocks and the broader ecosystem.

Experts from the National Agrarian Chamber and the University of Budapest stress that climate‑induced droughts are turning parts of the country into semi‑desert, urging expanded “water‑in‑the‑land” programmes and other adaptation measures to safeguard agriculture, biodiversity and local water resources.