University of Debrecen
Faculty of Sciences
Department of Ecology

Full CV

Publications

Szabolcs Lengyel
Assistant Professor
Department of Ecology
University of Debrecen
4032 Debrecen, Egyetem t. 1., Hungary
+36 52 512-900 / 62357
+36 52 512-941 (fax)
szabolcslengyel at yahoo.com

EDUCATION

PhD in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, USA, 2001, dissertation: Adopting Behavior and Breeding Biology of Avocets: Benefits of Large Broods for Good Parents?, advisors: Lewis W. Oring, C. Richard Tracy
MS in Biology Teaching, University of Debrecen (UD), Hungary, 1996
MS in Biology/Ecology, with minor in English, UD, 1995

EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology, UD, 2006-present
Visiting Scientist, North Carolina State University (Robert R. Dunn), USA, 2007-2008
Research Fellow, Hung. Acad. Sciences - UD Conservation Biology Group, 2003-2006
Research Biologist, Hortobágy National Park Directorate, 2001-2003

AWARDS

Bolyai János Research Fellowship, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2009-2012
Békésy György Post-doctoral Fellowship, Ministry of Education, Hungary, 2002-2005
Academic Scholarship, Ministry of Environment, Hungary, 1998
Jay Dow, Sr. Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno Foundation, 1997
Supplementary grant for international postgraduate studies, Soros Foundation, 1996, 1997
Second best paper, National Scientific Conference for Undergraduate Students, 1995
Commemorative Medal, UD, for academic achievement and community work, 1995

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Topics that interest me are varied and range from populations to communities and landscapes. At the level of species and populations, I am mostly interested in how evolution has influenced life-history traits and habitat selection. At the scale of communities, I am interested how ecological versus evolutionary forces shape assemblages of species, and how events at evolutionary time scales influence current patterns in biodiversity. At the level of landscapes, I am mostly interested in heterogeneity within and among habitats and its effects on the diversity of species in the landscape, and I apply this knowledge in designing and implementing habitat restoration and conservation management to maintain or increase biological diversity at the landscape scale.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Déri E, Magura T, Horváth R, Kisfali M, Ruff G, Lengyel S, Tóthmérész B. In press. Measuring short-term success of grassland restoration: use of habitat affinity indices in ecological restoration. Restoration Ecology. pdf

Török P, Deák B, Vida E, Valkó O, Lengyel S & Tóthmérész B. 2010. Restoring grassland biodiversity: Sowing low-diversity seed mixtures can lead to rapid favourable changes. Biological Conservation 143: 802-816. pdf

Lengyel S, Gove AD, Latimer AM, Majer JD, Dunn RR. 2010. Convergent evolution of seed dispersal by ants, and phylogeny and biogeography in flowering plants: a global survey. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 12: 43-55. pdf

Lengyel S, Gove AD, Latimer AM, Majer JD & Dunn RR. 2009. Ants sow the seeds of global diversification in flowering plants. PLoS ONE 4(5): e5480. pdf

Schmeller DS, Henry P-Y, Julliard R, Clobert J, Gruber B, Dziock F, Lengyel S, Nowicki P, Déri E, Budrys E, Kull T, Tali K, Bauch B, Settele J, van Swaay C, Kobler A, Babij V, Papastergiadou E & Henle K. 2009. Advantages of volunteer-based biodiversity monitoring in Europe. Conservation Biology 23: 307-316. pdf

Lengyel S, Kiss B & Tracy CR. 2009. Clutch size determination in shorebirds: revisiting incubation limitation in the pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta). Journal of Animal Ecology 78: 396-405. pdf

Lengyel S, Déri E, Varga Z, Horváth R, Tóthmérész B, Henry P-Y, Kobler A, Kutnar L, Babij V, Seliškar A, Christia C, Papastergiadou E, Gruber B & Henle K. 2008. Habitat monitoring in Europe: a description of current practices. Biodiversity and Conservation 17: 3327-3339. pdf

Lengyel S, Kobler A, Kutnar L, Framstad E, Henry P-Y, Babij V, Gruber B, Schmeller D & Henle K. 2008. A review and a framework for the integration of biodiversity monitoring at the habitat level. Biodiversity and Conservation 17: 3341-3356. pdf

Henry P-Y, Lengyel S, Nowicki P, Julliard R, Clobert J, Čelik T, Gruber B, Schmeller DS, Babij V & Henle K. 2008. Integrating ongoing biodiversity monitoring: potential benefits and methods. Biodiversity and Conservation 17: 3357-3382. pdf

Tartally A, Nash DR, Lengyel S & Varga Z. 2008. Patterns of host ant use by Maculinea alcon and M. ‘rebeli’ in the Carpathians: further evidence that they may not be separate species. Insectes Sociaux 55: 370-381. pdf

Schmeller DS, Gruber B, Budrys E, Framstad E, Lengyel S & Henle K. 2008. National responsibilities in European species conservation: a methodological review. Conservation Biology 22: 593-601. pdf

Lengyel S. 2007. Benefits of large broods by higher chick survival and better territories in a precocial shorebird. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 61: 589-598. pdf

Lengyel S. 2006. Spatial differences in breeding success in the Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta): effects of habitat on hatching and chick survival. Journal of Avian Biology 37: 381-395. pdf

Horváth R, Lengyel S, Szinetár Cs & Jakab L. 2005. The effect of prey availability on spider assemblages on Black Pine (Pinus nigra) bark: spatial patterns and guild structure. Canadian Journal of Zoology 83: 324-335. pdf

Csilléry K. & Lengyel S. 2004. Density dependence in stream-dwelling larvae of fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra): a field experiment. Amphibia & Reptilia 25: 343-349. pdf

Lengyel S. 2002. Adoption of chicks by the Pied Avocet. Waterbirds 25: 109-114. pdf

Lengyel S, Robinson JA & Oring LW. 1998. Chick recognition in the American Avocet: a chick exchange study. Auk 115: 490-494. pdf

REVIEWER 

Acta Ornithologica, Acta Zoologica Hungarica, Biodiversity & Conservation, Biological Conservation, Ecography, Ecological Research, Environmental Management and Monitoring, Journal of Field Ornithology, New Zealand Journal of Ecology, Ostrich, Population Ecology etc. 2003-

FUNDING

2010-2014: "Biodiversity of Freshwater Ecosystems: Status, Trends, Pressures, and Conservation Priorities (BioFresh)", consortium member, EU FP 7 large-scale integrative research programme, € 106,400

2009-2011: "Integrated botanical and zoological research in conservation ecology to restore, conserve and increase grassland biodiversity", Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA) - Norway Financing Mechanism, € 100,000

2009-2013: "Securing the Conservation of Biodiversity Across Administrative Levels and Spatial, Temporal, and Ecological Scales (SCALES)", consortium member, EU FP 7 large-scale integrative research programme, € 67,200

2005-2008: "Conservation of the Lesser White-fronted Goose on the European flyway", EU LIFE-Nature programme (Hortobágy NP, partner), € 229,000

2004-2008: "Grassland restoration and marsh protection in Egyek-Pusztakócs", EU LIFE-Nature programme (Hortobágy NP beneficiary, Univ. Debrecen partner), € 1.040,000

2002: Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA), travel grant, $1100

2002: "Survey of colonies and study of colony structure in the Long-tailed Mayfly", Department of Environment and Water, Hungary, $5500

2000: Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA), conference organization, $1000

1999-2000: "Biomonitoring of alkali water bodies of Kiskunság National Park", Department of Environment and Water, $5500

1999-2002: "Kin selection and territory quality: the population biological and ecological background of adoption in the Pied Avocet", Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA), $18,200

1998-2001: "Adoption of chicks in the colonially nesting Pied Avocet", Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA), $7000

1998: Graduate Student Association, University of Nevada, Reno, travel grant, $500

1996: Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, travel grant, £400

1995: University of Nevada, Reno Foundation, travel grant, $600

1993: "The role of nest material in the behavior of Kentish Plovers", Pro Renovanda Cultura Hungariae Foundation, $300