The Site consists of several separate wetlands south of Lake Balaton, the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe and also a Wetland of International Importance (Site no. 421). It mainly consists of natural or near-natural marshes, meadows and fishponds including many habitat types listed under the European Union’s Habitats Directive. The Site supports globally and regionally threatened fish species such as the European mudminnow Umbra krameri, several breeding bird species such as the Eurasian bittern Botaurus stellaris stellaris, and mammals such as the otter Lutra lutra. It is also an important staging area for migrating and wintering waterbirds, including about 9,000 greylag geese Anser anser, of which it also hosts more than 1% of the European population. The Site is used for traditional fishing, reed harvesting, hunting, forestry and tourism. The Balaton Catchment Area Water Management Plan was completed in 2010 under the guidelines of the EU Water Framework Directive.