Dataset: Hortobágy Biosphere Reserve Boundary Shapefiles

Purpose:
These shapefiles are used within the UNESCO Soil Initiative baseline study for Hortobágy Biosphere Reserve. The files provide the official UNESCO Biosphere Reserve boundaries and zonation used as reference layers in the study and the UNESCO portal.

Source:
UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme

Origin of data:
The shapefiles were obtained through UNESCO following approval by the Hungarian authorities and the Hortobágy National Park Directorate.

Data transfer:
The files were shared by Carrie Dodds (UNESCO MAB Secretariat) on 18 March 2026 and forwarded to ISRIC through Stephan Mantel.

Background:
According to correspondence between UNESCO, the Hungarian National MAB Committee, and the Hortobágy National Park Directorate, the Hungarian authorities had no objection to the use of the Biosphere Reserve shapefiles within the framework of the UNESCO Soil Initiative.

Description:
The shapefiles contain the official boundaries of the Hortobágy Biosphere Reserve, including the zonation used for UNESCO Man and the Biosphere activities.

DOI:
No DOI available.

Date received:
18 March 2026

Notes:

These files should be considered the authoritative UNESCO Biosphere Reserve boundaries for the Hortobágy case study.
The shapefiles may be used for clipping, visualisation, and spatial analysis within the UNESCO Soil Initiative baseline assessment.
Any further questions regarding the boundaries should be directed to the UNESCO MAB Secretariat or the Hortobágy National Park Directorate.

Contact:
Serena Heckler from UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme