BIODIVERSITY AND THE PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM IN ALBANIA
Abstract
Albania possesses a wide range of ecological systems including coastal zones, estuaries and lagoons, lakes and wetlands, grasslands, middle-low altitude coppice forests, high altitude forests, alpine vegetation and glacial areas. The country possesses about 3,250 species of vascular plants, 165 families and more than 900 genera. Medicinal plants (botanicals) and non-timber forest products have a long history of importance in the culture and traditional knowledge of Albania. Proper legislation and especially legal and regulatory framework enforcement for the regulation of this developing industry remains lacking. A Strategy of Biodiversity plan developed in 2000 calls for an increase in the Protected Areas system which currently covers some 6 % of Albanias area to a total area of 435,600 ha, approximately 15 % of the countrys territory. Changes in the legal and policy framework as well as institutional structures is required to move forward and provide an environment for biodiversity conservation and a sustainable protected areas system. The various threats to biodiversity and constraints to improvement are outlined as well as recommendations for sustainable use, assessment and regulation.
Downloads
References
2. DFPP/MoEFWA. 2004. Protected Areas and National Parks in Albania.
3. CGS. 2004. Geographical Atlas of Albania, Centre for Geographic Studies, Tirana.
4. Clausen, R., and M. Meta. 2001. National Strategy and Action Plan on Forestry Sector,
5. Tirana, Albania.
6. DFPP. 2003. Forest and Pastures Fund Cadastra of Albania.
7. DGFP/DPA/MoEFWA. 2001. Emerald Study, Tirana.
8. DGFP/PMU. 1996. Assessment of priority selected Protected Areas.
9. DGFP/PMU/AGRIFOR. 2003. National Forest and Pastures Inventory.
10. Euronature-ECAT-Tirana. 1999. Albania-Guide to its Natural Heritage, Albania.
11. E/ECAT-Tirana. 2000. Albania, Guide to its Natural Heritage.
12. IBR. 1995. Study on Albanian Biotops, Tirana.
13. IGS. 2003. Geological Study and Mapping, Instititute of Geological Research, Tirana.
14. IUCN. 1995. The mountains of Central and Eastern Europe.
15. Lohmann, Jörg. 1999. Care for the Countryside - An introduction to nature protection and
16. landscape management with special consideration to forestry, Tirana.
17. Meta, M. and H. Kola, 2005. Study on Natural Resources of Northern Albania. GTZ/UNEP.
18. MoEFWA. 1997-1998 and 1999-2000. Report on environment in Albania.
19. PPNEA. 1997. Nature, lanscape and biodiversity conservation in Albania, Tirana.
20. Troendle, C. 2002. Albanian Watershed Assessment, AWAP.
21. WB/DGFP. 1996. Ecological Survey of Virgin Forests, Tirana, Albania.
