The Site is in central Hungary in the Danube river basin. Its continental saline ecosystems – marshes, grazing lands, sodic-alkaline meadows and terraces – and salt-resistant vegetation are characteristic and unique to the Pannonian biogeographic region. It is important as a nesting, feeding and roosting ground for birds. It hosts several endemic plant and animal species which are important for maintaining the biological diversity of the Pannonian Basin, and it constitutes one of the Hungarian strongholds for the great bustard Otis tarda and black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus. The wetland plays an important role in the regulation of groundwater levels and is used for recreation, ecotourism and scientific monitoring. Land use is dedicated to traditional extensive farming and in particular domestic semi-nomadic animal grazing. The main threats derive from droughts and water regulation followed by falling groundwater levels. Extensive wetland restoration programmes have been carried out.