Strasbourg, 16 April 2003 T-PVS/Emerald (2003) 5
[T-pvs Emerald 05e] English only
CONVENTION ON THE conservation of EUROPEAN wildlife
and natural habitats
Group of Experts for the setting up
of the Emerald Network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest
---ooOoo---
Emerald Network Pilot Project in Albania
- Report -
Document established by
the Ministry of Environment,
Nature Resources Management and Biodiversity Directorate
Albania
Contents
1. Background ...................................................................................................................... 3
2. Emerald network project team ........................................................................................ 3
3. Description of activities .................................................................................................... 3
4. Nature conservation designation types in Albania .......................................................... 4
5. List of Emerald species in Albania ................................................................................... 7
6. List of Emerald habitats in Albania ................................................................................. 7
7. List of biogeographical regions in Albania ...................................................................... 7
8. List of proposed Emerald sites in Albania ....................................................................... 7
9. Work table ........................................................................................................................ 7
10. Follow up (activities) ........................................................................................................ 7
11. Financial statement of expenditure .................................................................................. 8
Annex I - List of Emerald species in Albania.................................................................... 9
Annex II - List of Emerald habitat types in Albania ..................................................... 13
Annex III - Emerald Network meeting, Tirana, 22-23 April 2002 ............................... 14
1. Background
Albania is reach country in terms of biodiversity values. 3 200 species of flora comprising 30 % of the European flora and 756 species of vertebrates, 91 of which globally threatened, are encountered in Albania.
In the framework of the CORINE Biotopes Program 79 sites were identified in an area of 499,290 ha, which cover 17.23 % of the country territory. Protected areas in Albania cover a surface of 166.611 ha that is 5.8 % of the country’s area.
Albania signed the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern, 1979) on 31 October 1995 and ratified it on 13 January 1999. On 6 June 2002 the Albanian Parliament approved for the first time in Albania the law “On protected areas” No. 8906, which provides the legal base for the development of the ecological network in the country. In 2001 the Council of Europe invited Albania to start the Emerald Network pilot project. The project started in April 2002, according to the contract signed on 25 February 2002 between the Ministry of the Environment of Albania and the Council of Europe.
2. Establishing the national team
The national team in the Republic of Albania was established in April 2002.
The structure of the team is as follows:
ü Zamir DEDEJ - team leader – Ministry of the Environment
ü Petrit HODA - plant expert, scientific work team leader – Faculty of Natural Sciences;
ü Jani VANGJELI - plant and GIS expert - Academy of Sciences;
ü Ferdinand BEGO - fauna expert – Museum of Natural Science (Faculty of Natural Sciences);
ü Taulant BINO - fauna expert - Museum of Natural Science (Faculty of Natural Sciences);
ü Mehmet META - protected areas expert – General Directorate of Forestry and Pastures;
ü Elvana RAMAJ - administrator – Ministry of the Environment.
3. Description of activities:
Technical workshop
The technical workshop was held in Tirana (Mondial Hotel) on 22 - 23 April 2002 (see Annex III); During the workshop Ms. Helene Bouguessa from the Council of Europe, besides a short introduction regarding the Council of Europe, explained the legal framework of the Emerald Network, criteria for selection of ASCI-s and presented relevant Emerald documentation.
Mr. Roekaerts, consultant for the Council of Europe explained the main features of the Emerald Network database and the Standard Data Entry form and demonstrated the final version of the Emerald network software as well.
Mr. Zamir Dedej from the Ministry of the Environment, after a brief presentation of the newly established Ministry of the Environment’s structure (previously National Environmental Agency), gave an overview of the protected areas and their management in Albania analyzing the legal framework related to them.
In the second session of the workshop main areas of work were identified as follows:
ü briefing about Emerald background;
ü installation of the software;
ü discussing potential Emerald sites in the Republic of Albania;
ü preparing list of Emerald species and habitat types in the Republic of Albania;
ü draft list of ASCI-s;
ü designation and proposals for the ASCI-s.
In the following months the team compiled a draft list comprising species listed in Resolution No. 6 (1998) identified in the country and habitats listed in Resolution No. 4 (1996) occurring in the country. Potential Emerald sites were pre-selected according to the existing information in the country. Seven sites were pre-selected as the base for the Emerald Network (all of them National Parks).
At a later stage the list of potential Emerald sites was slightly changed after expert discussions, taking into account the recommendation that the selected sites should not comprise only National Parks (Protected Areas) and also includes different types of habitats from the coastal one to mountains. Finally, six sites were selected as Emerald sites that are Llogora National Park, Tomorri National Park, Pine of Divjaka, Butrinti National Park, Prespa National Park and Allamani area (proposed to be a Strict Nature Reserve)
The next phase was the compilation of data on habitats and species using all the available information recorded in the country.
4. Nature conservation designation types in Albania
In Albania we use the IUCN category for the protected area which are the only system of nature protection in the countries. As mention before this structure is based after 6 June 2002 on the “Protected areas” Law Nr. 8906.
Below you find two tables that present the actual situation and a map to figure their position in the country. The protected are cover 5.8 % of the whole territory of Albania.
Table 1. Existing system of protected areas up to the end of 2002
|
N |
PA categories |
Number of PA |
Surface ha |
% |
Main goals of the categories for PA management |
|
1 |
Strictly protected area |
4 |
14 500 |
8,83 |
Protected area, managed mainly for scientific aims and the conservation of the wild fauna |
|
2 |
National parks |
13 |
56 440 |
32,86 |
Protected area, managed mainly for the protection of the ecosystem and for recreation/tourism |
|
3 |
Monuments of nature (special forest wood, woodland areas) |
115 68 |
4 600 |
2,88 |
Protected area/surface, managed mainly for the protection/conservation of the specific/characteristic features of the nature |
|
4 |
Managed areas |
26 |
42.898 |
26,13 |
Protected area/surface, managed mainly for the protection/conservation mainly through management interventions |
|
5 |
Protected landscape/seascape |
4 |
29 873 |
18,20 |
Protected area/surface, managed mainly for landscape/seascape conservation and for recreation |
|
6 |
Protected resource area |
4 |
18 200 |
11,09 |
Protected area/surface, managed mainly for sustainable use of natural resources/ecosystems |
|
7 |
Total |
384 |
166 611 |
100,00 |
3,79% of the surface of the Republic and 10,43% of the forest fund |
Table 2. Protected areas according to districts and management categories
|
No |
Designation |
Surface in ha |
District |
Approved |
Category I Strictly natural reserve/scientific reserve |
||||
|
1 |
Karavasta Lagoon |
5 000 |
Lushnja |
22.08.1994 |
|
2 |
Gashi River |
3 000 |
Tropoja |
15.01.1996 |
|
3 |
Rrajca |
4 700 |
Librazhd |
15.01.1996 |
|
4 |
Kardhiq |
1 800 |
Gjirokastra |
15.01.1996 |
|
TOTAL |
14 500 |
100,00 % |
||
Category II National Park |
||||
|
5 |
Dajti mountain |
3 300 |
Tirana |
16.12.1960/1966 |
|
6 |
Theth |
2 630 |
Shkodra |
21.11.1966 |
|
7 |
Lura |
1 280 |
Dibra |
21.11.1966 |
|
8 |
Pine of Divjaka |
1 250 |
Lushnja |
21.11.1966 |
|
9 |
Llogara |
1 010 |
Vlora |
21.11.1966 |
|
10 |
Fir of Drenova |
1 380 |
Korça |
21.11.1966 |
|
11 |
Tomorri mountain |
4 000 |
Berat |
15.01.1996/1940 |
|
12 |
Valbona valley |
8 000 |
Tropoja |
15.01.1996 |
|
13 |
Fir of Hotova |
1 200 |
Përmet |
15.01.1996 |
|
14 |
Qafë Shtama |
2 000 |
Kruja |
15.01.1996 |
|
15 |
Zall Gjocaj |
140 |
Mat |
15.01.1996 |
|
16 |
Prespa |
27 750 |
Korca |
18.02.1999 |
|
17 |
Butrinti |
2 500 |
Saranda |
2.03.2000 |
|
TOTAL |
56.440 |
100.00 % |
||
Category III Monument of nature |
||||
|
17 |
Fir of Sotira |
1 740 |
Gjirokastra |
15.01.1996 |
|
18 |
Blue Eye |
200 |
Delvina |
15.01.1996 |
|
19 |
Vlashaj |
50 |
Dibra |
15.01.1996 |
|
20 |
Zhej |
1 500 |
Gjirokastra |
15.01.1996 |
|
TOTAL |
4 360 |
100.00 % |
||
Category IV Natural managed reserve |
||||
|
21 |
Rrushkull |
650 |
Durrës |
1955,1977,1983 26.12.1995 |
|
22 |
Pishë-Poro |
1 500 |
Fier |
1958/1977/1983 |
|
23 |
Velipojë |
700 |
Shkodra |
1958/1977/1983 |
|
24 |
Kune |
800 |
Lezha |
1940/1960/1977/ 1983 |
|
25 |
Maliq |
50 |
Korça |
1961/1977/1983 |
|
26 |
Patok-Fushëkuqe-Negel |
2 200 |
Kurbin |
1962/1977/1983 |
|
27 |
Karaburun |
20 000 |
Vlora |
22.02.1968/1977/1983 |
|
28 |
Pishë-Poro |
1 770 |
Vlora |
04.08.1969/1977/ 83 |
|
29 |
Vain |
1 500 |
Lezha |
1940,1969,1977, 1983 |
|
30 |
Cangonji |
250 |
Devoll |
05.11.1960/ 1977/ 83 |
|
31 |
Bërzanë |
880 |
Lezha |
05.11.1977/1983 |
|
32 |
Levan |
200 |
Fier |
05.11.1977/1983 |
|
33 |
Qafëmollë-Derje |
3 300 |
Tirana |
05.11.1960/ 1977/ 83 |
|
34 |
Balloll |
330 |
Berat |
05.11.1977/1983 |
|
35 |
Qafë-Bushi |
500 |
Elbasan |
05.11.1977/1983 |
|
36 |
Bogovë |
330 |
Skrapar |
05.11.1977/1983 |
|
37 |
Krastafillak |
250 |
Korça |
05.11.1977/1983 |
|
38 |
Kuturman |
3.600 |
Librazhd |
05.11.1977/1983 |
|
39 |
Kular |
815 |
Lushnja |
22.08.1994 |
|
40 |
Rrezoma |
1 400 |
Delvina |
15.01.1996 |
|
41 |
Tej Drini Bardhë |
30 |
Has |
15.01.1996 |
|
42 |
Shelegur |
430 |
Kolonja |
15.01.1996 |
|
43 |
Polis |
45 |
Librazhd |
15.01.1996 |
|
44 |
Stravaj |
400 |
Librazhd |
15.01.1996 |
|
45 |
Sopot |
300 |
Librazhd |
15.01.1996 |
|
46 |
Qarishtë |
318 |
Librazhd |
15.01.1996 |
|
47 |
Dardhë-Xhyre |
400 |
Librazhd |
15.01.1996 |
|
TOTAL |
42 898 |
100,00 % |
||
|
Category V Protected landscape/seascape |
||||
|
47 |
Bizë |
1.370 |
Tirana |
15.01.1996 |
|
48 |
Bërdhet |
670 |
Tirana |
15.01.1996 |
|
49 |
Nikolicë |
510 |
Devoll |
15.01.1996 |
|
21 |
Lake Ohrid |
27 323 |
Pogradec |
18.02.1999 |
|
TOTAL |
29 873 |
100,00 % |
||
Category VI Reserve of managed resources |
||||
|
50 |
Luzni-Bulac |
5 900 |
Dibra |
15.01.1996 |
|
51 |
Piskal-Shqeri |
5 400 |
Kolonja |
15.01.1996 |
|
52 |
Bjeshka e Oroshit |
4 700 |
Mirdita |
15.01.1996 |
|
53 |
Guri i Nikës |
2 200 |
Pogradec |
15.01.1996 |
|
TOTAL |
18 200 |
100,00 % |
||
5. List of Emerald species in Albania (see Annex I)
The team identified species listed in Resolution No.6 (1998) present in Albania 2 taxa of plants and 178 taxa of animals were identified as species requiring specific habitat conservation measures.
6. List of Emerald habitats in Albania (see Annex II)
The team identified habitats listed in Resolution No. 4 (1996) occurring within the country. In total 19 types of endangered natural habitats were identified.
7. Biogeographical regions in Albania
In Albania there are two biogeographical regions:
1. Mediterranean
2. Alpine
8. List of proposed Emerald sites in Albania
Six sites have been proposed for the inclusion into the Emerald network:
|
Code |
Site name in Albanian |
Site name in English |
|
AL 0000001 |
Parku kombetar i Llogarase |
Llogara National Park |
|
AL 0000002 |
Parku Kombetar i Divjake |
Divjake National Park |
|
AL 0000003 |
Parku Kombetar i Prespes |
Prespa National Park |
|
AL 0000004 |
Park Kombetar i Butrintit |
Butrinti National Park |
|
AL 0000005 |
Reserve Strikte Natyrore e Allamanit (e propozuar) |
Allamani Strict Nature Reserve (proposed) |
|
AL 0000006 |
Parku Kombetar i Tomorrit |
Tomorri National Park |
Site location is shown on the “Map of proposed Emerald Sites in Albania”.
9. Work Table
|
Activity |
A |
M |
J |
J |
A |
S |
O |
N |
D |
J |
|
1. Building up the national Emerald team |
||||||||||
|
2. Training of the national Emerald team |
||||||||||
|
3. Identification of the species and habitats within each biogeographical region |
||||||||||
|
4. Selection of potential ASCI-s |
||||||||||
|
5. Description of potential ASCI-s |
||||||||||
|
6. Designation of the ASCI-s |
||||||||||
|
7. Building up the database of Emerald designated sites |
||||||||||
|
8. Submission of proposals |
10. Follow up activities
Problems – The table of the Emerald species in Albania according to Resolution No. 6 (1998) is nearly blank; there are only two species of plants from the list identified in Albania (Marsilia quadrifolia and Solenanthus albanicus). But, there are no data to confirm the presence of these two species in the selected Emerald sites of the project. Meanwhile, a considerable number of endemic, rare or threatened plant species are identified in the framework of the project. These species are listed under the title “Other species - Plants”.
In the framework of the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, Albania intends to develop the Emerald Network of ASCI-s. In order to develop this network, Albania will be requesting additional funding from the Council of Europe in the amount 4.500 euro, to continue the work of building up the Emerald Network.
11. Financial statement of expenditure with the break-down of costs
|
ITEM |
COAST |
|
Field Coasts Travel and accommodation expenses for experts |
1,200 € |
|
Professional Fees 1. Purchase of missing data 2. Experts coast (Data sheets develop.) |
4,100 € 3,000 € |
|
Equipment and materials Purchase of software and printer |
700 € |
|
TOTAL |
9,000 € |
Map of proposed Emerald Sites in Albania
Annex I.
List of Emerald plant species in Albania
Marsilia quadrifolia
Solenanthus albanicus
List of Emerald animal species in Albania
Mammals
CHIROPTERA
Rhinolophidae
Rhinolophus blasii
Rhinolophus euryale
Rhinolophus ferrumequinum
Rhinolophus hipposideros
Vespertilionidae
Myotis blythii
Myotis myotis
Myotis capaccinii
Myotis emarginatus
Miniopterus schreibersi
CARNIVORA
Canidae
Canis lupus
Ursidae
Ursus arctos
Mustelidae
Lutra lutra
Felidae
Lynx lynx
Phocidae
Monachus monachus
ARTIODACTYLA
Bovidae
Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica
Birds
GAVIIFORMES
Gavidae
Gavia arctica
Gavia stellata
PODICIPEDIFORMES
Podicipedidae
Podiceps auritus
PROCELLARIFORMES
Hydrobatidae
Hydrobates pelagicus
Procellariidae
Calonectris diomedea
PELECANIFORMES
Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocorax pygmeus
Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Pelecanidae
Pelecanus crispus
CICONIIFORMES
Ardeidae
Ardea purpurea
Ardeola ralloides
Botaurus stellaris
Egretta garzetta
Ixobrychus minutus
Egretta alba (Casmerodius albus)
Nycticorax nycticorax
Ciconiidae
Ciconia nigra
Ciconia ciconia
Threskiornithidae
Plegadis falcinellus
Platalea leucorodia
Phoenicopteridae
Phoenicopterus ruber
ANSERIFORMES
Anatidae
Anser albifrons
Aythya nyroca
Cygnus columbianus bewickii
Mergus albellus
Oxyura leucocephala
Branta ruficollis
FALCONIFORMES
Accipitridae
Accipiter gentilis
Accipiter nisus
Aquila clanga
Aquila chrysaetos
Aquila pomarina
Circus aeruginosus
Circus cyaneus
Circus macrourus
Circus pygargus
Circaetus gallicus
Hieraaetus fasciatus
Hieraaetus pennatus
Milvus migrans
Milvus milvus
Pernis apivorus
Haliaeetus albicilla
Buteo rufinus
Neophron percnopterus
Pandionidae
Pandion haliaetus
Falconidae
Falco naumanni
Falco peregrinus
Falco vespertinus
Falco columbarius
Falco eleonorae
GALLIFORMES
Tetraonidae
Tetrao urogallus
Phasianidae
Alectoris graeca
Perdix perdix
GRUIFORMES
Rallidae
Crex crex
Porzana parva
Porzana porzana
Porzana pusilla
Gruidae
Grus grus
Otididae
Tetrax tetrax
CHARADRIIFORMES
Charadridae
Pluvialis apricaria
Scolopacidae
Gallinago media
Limosa lapponica
Philomachus pugnax
Tringa glareola
Recurvirostridae
Himantopus himantopus
Recurvirostra avosetta
Burhinidae
Burhinus oedicnemus
Glareolidae
Glareola pratincola
Laridae
Chlidonias hybridus
Chlidonias leucopterus
Chlidonias niger
Gelochelidon nilotica
Sterna albifrons
Sterna hirundo
Sterna sandvicensis
Sterna caspia
Larus melanocephalus
Larus audouinii
STRIGIFORMES
Strigidae
Asio flammeus
Asio otus ??
Bubo bubo
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
Caprimulgidae
Caprimulgus europaeus
CORACIFORMES
Alcedinidae
Alcedo atthis
Coraciidae
Coracias garrulus
PICIFORMES
Picidae
Dendrocopos syriacus
Dendrocopos leucotos
Dryocopus martius
Dendrocopos medius
PASSERIFORMES
Alaudidae
Lullula arborea
Melanocorypha calandra
Motacillidae
Anthus campestris
Laniidae
Lanius collurio
Muscicapidae
Sylvinae
Acrocephalus melanopogon
Hippolais olivetorum
Sylvia nisoria
Muscicapinae
Ficedula albicollis
Emberizidae
Emberiza hortulana
Reptiles
CHELONIA
Testudinidae
Testudo hermanni
Testudo marginata
Cheloniidae
Caretta caretta
Emydidae
Emys orbicularis
Mauremys caspica
OPHIDIA (SERPENTES)
Colubridae
Elaphe quatuorlineata
Elaphe situla
Amphibians
CAUDATA
Salamandridae
Triturus cristatus
ANURA
Discoglossidae
Bombina variegata
Fish
CYPRINIFORMES
Cyprinidae
Alburnus albidus
Barbus meridionalis
INVERTEBRATES
Arthropods
INSECTA
Coleoptera
Buprestis splendens
Cerambyx cerdo
Lucanus cervus
Rosalia alpina
Lepidoptera
Euphydryas aurinia
Lycaena dispar
Molluscs
BIVALVIA
Unionoida
Unio crassus
Annex II.
List of Emerald habitat types in Albania
Code Habitat type name
AL 0000002 11.42 Marine spike-rush beds
AL0000002 13.2 Estuaries
AL0000002 15.5 Mediterranean salt meadows
AL0000004 15.51 Mediterranean tall rush saltmarshes
AL0000002 15.6 Mediterranean-Nemoral saltmarsh scrubs
AL0000004 15.611 Creeping glasswort mats
AL0000002 16.2 Dunes
AL0000002 21 Coastal lagoons
AL0000004 21.1 Sea – connected lagoons
AL0000006 34.3 Dense perennial grasslands and middle European steppes
AL0000006 41.1 Beech forests
AL0000003 41.7 Thermopilus and supra-mediterranean oak woods
AL0000001 42.17 Balcano-pontic fir forests
AL0000001 42.62 Western Balkan Pinus nigra forests
AL0000001 42.7 High oro-meditarranean pine forests
AL0000002 42.849 Illyrian Aleppo pine forests
AL 0000003 42.A Western Palaearctic cypress, juniper and yew forests
AL0000004 44.43 South-east European ash-oak-alder forests
AL0000002 44.6 Mediterraneo-Turanian riverine forests
Annex III
Emerald Network meeting
Tirana, 22-23 April 2002
Monday 22 April
15 – 18.00
Opening of the session by the host authorities
Presentation by the host authorities of the relevant national programmes
Presentation of the team in charge of the development of the pilot project
Presentation by the representative of the Council of Europe of the relevant activities of the Council of Europe, the Bern Convention and the Emerald Network
Introduction by the consultant of the pilot projects programme, Mr. Roekaerts, to the technicalities of the Emerald Network
Tuesday 23 April
Morning session
9.30 – 12.30
Continuation of the presentation by the consultant of the technicalities of the Emerald Network
Afternoon session
14.30 – 17.30
Practical work