The “Tracking the progress on ecosystem restoration involving agriculture-related Nature Based Solutions” Research Group aims to advance knowledge in the field of biology and agriculture by focusing on a complex assessment of the effects of a relatively novel livestock management method, regenerative grazing. It pursues innovative studies of the effects of this method on soil biological and ecological parameters. We use an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to include zoologists, botanists, experts in animal husbandry, microbiology, soil science, statistics, and a foreign partner to assist in science communication.

The rise in human activities that degrade and pollute natural systems causes an unparalleled loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. This loss ultimately affects food production and the livelihoods of large populations.  Additionally, the changing conditions resulting from climate change necessitate a re-evaluation of current agricultural practices. The implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) can provide a sustainable and economic approach to combat biodiversity loss and land degradation, whilst also making significant contributions towards achieving sustainability and climate resilience. This project aims to explore the effects of regenerative grazing by local indigenous mixed herds on enhancing the biodiversity of the area, including plant, animal, and soil biology, while also taking production indicators into consideration. The project will make a valuable contribution to the advancement of knowledge on natural values enabling the creation of a set of good practices.

The project will enable us to emerge important generalizations across various disciplines/over several years. By addressing fundamental theoretical concepts of soil biology, ecology, botany, and parasitology, we will advance our understanding of the impacts of regenerative grazing/ we will significantly improve our ability to promote the practical use of our research findings.

Dr. Miklós Sárospataki Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Associate Professor Research keywords: wild bee pollinators, pollinator-friendly agricultural practices, conservation biology, landscape effects

Dr. Julianna Bokor Kaposvár Campus Services Ltd. Research Fellow Research keywords: red deer, pasture management, venison processing

Sándor Csete Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Assistant Lecturer Research keywords: vegetation dynamics, succession, fine-scale vegetation patterns, autecology of rare plant species

Dr. András Ittzés Institute of Mathematics and Basic Science Associate Professor Research keywords: statistical software, multivariate statistical methods, applied statistics, design of experiments

Dr. Ákos Juhász Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology Senior Research Fellow Research keywords: antimicrobial effect, microbiota analysis, metagenomics, herbal extracts

Dr. Lola Virág Kiss Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Research Assistant Research keywords: ecotoxicology, nanomaterials, microplastics

Prof. Dr. Péter István Nagy Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation University Professor Research keywords: ecotoxicology, environmental nematology, plant-parasitic nematodes, nematicide effects, soil fauna ecology

Dr. Anikó Seres Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Associate Professor Research keywords: ecotoxicology, soil ecology, decomposition, mesofauna, zoology