Network of protected areas in Albania (2020)[1]
Network of protected areas in Albania (2020)[1]

Despite being a relatively small country, Albania is exceedingly rich in biodiversity. Its ecosystems and habitats support over 5,550 species of vascular and non-vascular plants and more than 15,600 species of coniferous and non-coniferous evergreens, most of which are threatened at global and European levels. The country has made recent efforts to expand its network of protected areas which now total 799 protected areas, including: 11 national parks, 1 marine park, 23 managed nature reserves, 11 protected landscapes, 4 World Heritage Sites,[2] 4 Ramsar sites[3] and other protected areas of various categories, that when combined, account for 21.36% of the territory.[4] Furthermore 1 biosphere reserve, 45 important plant areas and 16 important bird areas are found in Albania.[5][6]

Meanwhile, the central government has proclaimed the Coastline and the Tirana Greenbelt as areas of national importance.[7]

At present, protected areas are constantly under threat by illegal logging, forest fires and the construction of hydroelectric power plants which have prompted ongoing protests from environmentalists and civil society.[8]

The national policy for governing and the management of protected areas is implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism through the National Agency of Protected Areas (AKZM).[9]

National parks

A total of 12 national parks, encompassing a surface area of 313,950.77 hectares (3,140 km2), occupy 10.92% of the territory.[10][11]

  World Heritage Site
  Ramsar wetland or a marine protected area
Logo Name Image Designated IUCN cat. Area Location
Parku Kombëtar Butrint.svg
Butrint National Park
Albanien 1978 32.jpg
2 March 2000 (2000-03-02)[12] II 8,622.2 hectares (86.222 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Parku Kombëtar Prespa.svg
Prespa National Park
Liqeni Prespes. Ishulli Mali Gradit. Korce. Albania.jpg
18 February 1999 (1999-02-18)[13] II 27,613.05 hectares (276.1305 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Parku Kombëtar Divjakë-Karavasta.svg
Divjakë-Karavasta National Park
Karavastra National Park (30911403928).jpg
19 October 2007 (2007-10-19)[14] II 22,389.08 hectares (223.8908 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Parku Kombëtar Llogara.svg
Llogara National Park
Llogora Tourist Village.jpg
21 November 1966 (1966-11-21)[15] II 1,769.20 hectares (17.6920 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Parku Kombëtar Shebenik.svg
Shebenik National Park
Liqeni i Fushë Studnës.jpg
21 May 2008 (2008-05-21)[16] II 34,507.90 hectares (345.0790 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Albanian Alps National Park
The Albanian Alps (31693684978).jpg
26 January 2022 (2022-01-26)[17] II 82,844.65 hectares (828.4465 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Parku Kombëtar Mali i Tomorrit.svg
Tomorr Mountain National Park
Tyrbe on Mount Tomorr - Mapillary (594b8tPNXU8Xzg9iPMoobQ).jpg
18 July 2012 (2012-07-18)[18] II 27,185.5 hectares (271.855 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Lurë-Dejë Mountain National Park
Liqeni i Kallabes, Lura.jpg
21 November 1966 (1966-11-21)[19] II 19,288.88 hectares (192.8888 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Parku Kombëtar Mali i Dajtit.svg
Dajti Mountain National Park
Mali i Dajtit.jpg
21 June 2006 (2006-06-21)[20] II 28,561.85 hectares (285.6185 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Fir of Hotovë-Dangëlli National Park
Bredhi i Hotovës.jpg
17 December 2008 (2008-12-17)[21] II 36,003.76 hectares (360.0376 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Parku Kombëtar i Lumit të Egër Vjosa.svg
Vjosa Wild River National Park
Përmet District, Albania - panoramio (3).jpg
15 March 2023 (2023-03-15)[22] II 12,727 hectares (127.27 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Parku Detar Karaburun-Sazan.svg
Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park
Jonufer vlora albania 2016.jpg
28 April 2010 (2010-04-28)[23] II 12,437.7 hectares (124.377 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania

Managed nature reserves

A total of 23 managed nature reserves, encompassing a surface area of 216,024.68 hectares (2,160 km2), occupy 7.5% of the territory.[24]

Name Image Designated IUCN cat. Area Location
Fir of Kardhiq Nature Park
Kardhiqit River, Albania, September 2022 01.jpg
15 January 1996 (1996-01-15) IV 4,303.6 hectares (43.036 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Fir of Sotirë Nature Park
Pejsazh nga Ujëvara e Sotirës.jpg
15 January 1996 (1996-01-15) IV 4,927.67 hectares (49.2767 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Fir of Zhulat Nature Park 26 January 2022 (2022-01-26) IV 936.2 hectares (9.362 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Cangonj Nature Park 27 July 1977 (1977-07-27) IV 250.3 hectares (2.503 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Dardhë-Xhyrë Nature Park 15 January 1996 (1996-01-15) IV 400.3 hectares (4.003 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Gërmenj Nature Park 15 January 1996 (1996-01-15) IV 1,410 hectares (14.1 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Karaburun Nature Reserve
Bunkerë bregdetar Karaburun 2.jpg
27 July 1977 (1977-07-27) IV 17,490.7 hectares (174.907 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Korab-Koritnik Nature Park
Mali Korabit.jpg
21 December 2011 (2011-12-21) IV 53,850 hectares (538.5 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Kunë-Vain-Talë-Patok-Fushëkuqe-Ishëm Nature Park
Kunë-Vaine-Tale Nature Park 2019 02.jpg
28 April 2010 (2010-04-28) IV 8,092.3 hectares (80.923 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Gjergjevica Lagoon Nature Reserve 26 January 2022 (2022-01-26) IV 2,966.3 hectares (29.663 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Shala Lagoon Nature Park
Porta e Shalës (Lotaj)..jpg
26 January 2022 (2022-01-26) IV 10,619.35 hectares (106.1935 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Munellë Nature Park
E851 WikipediaWeekendTirana2015 MunellaMirditaMountains 728.JPG
26 January 2022 (2022-01-26) IV 20,760.05 hectares (207.6005 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Mali me Gropa-Bizë-Martanesh Nature Park
Vajkal, Bulqize.jpg
31 January 2007 (2007-01-31) IV 26,043.34 hectares (260.4334 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Lake Ulza Nature Park
Lake Ulza, Albania.jpg
3 April 2013 (2013-04-03) IV 4,205.15 hectares (42.0515 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Polis Nature Park 15 January 1996 (1996-01-15) IV 45.1 hectares (0.451 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Porto Palermo Nature Park
Porto Palermo, Albanian Riviera 2016.jpg
29 July 2022 (2022-07-29) IV 1,694.98 hectares (16.9498 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Shtamë Pass Nature Park
Qafë Shtamë National Park 2017 01.jpg
15 January 1996 (1996-01-15) IV 6,864.36 hectares (68.6436 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Lake Shkodër Nature Reserve
Liqeni Shkoder 01.jpg
2 November 2005 (2005-11-02) IV 24,049.75 hectares (240.4975 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Stravaj and Sopot Nature Park
Stravaj.jpg
15 January 1996 (1996-01-15) IV 1,548.9 hectares (15.489 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Blue Eye Nature Park
Syri Kalter 1.jpg
15 January 1996 (1996-01-15) IV 293.3 hectares (2.933 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Zagori Nature Park
Albanian landscape (25743349628).jpg
26 January 2022 (2022-01-26) IV 24,607.63 hectares (246.0763 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Balloll Nature Park 27 July 1977 (1977-07-27) IV 323.3 hectares (3.233 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Bogovë Nature Park
Bogova Waterfall - Mapillary (urmOoawelw6W67SolMO-zQ).jpg
27 July 1977 (1977-07-27) IV 342.1 hectares (3.421 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania

Protected landscapes

A total of 11 protected landscapes, encompassing a surface area of 84,746.69 hectares (847.5 km2), occupy 2.94% of the territory.

  Part of the Emerald network
Name Image Designated IUCN cat. Area Location
Bjeshka e Oroshit Protected Landscape
Grykë-Orosh, Mirditë, Albania 2018-04 02.jpg
15 January 1996 (1996-01-15) V 4,646.7 hectares (46.467 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Fir of Drenovë-Sinicë Protected Landscape
Korçë District, Albania - panoramio (1).jpg
21 November 1966 (1966-11-21) V 2,065.8 hectares (20.658 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Guri i Nikës-Lenie-Valamarë Protected Landscape
Perballe Gurit te Nikes 06.jpg
15 January 1996 (1996-01-15) V 5,172.7 hectares (51.727 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Qafë Bush-Kuturman Protected Landscape
Lagja Gjura.jpg
27 July 1977 (1977-07-27) V 4,159.7 hectares (41.597 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Rrushkull Protected Landscape
Kisha e Skenderbeut ne Kep te Rodonit.jpg
16 December 1995 (1995-12-16) V 579.5 hectares (5.795 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Bisht Kamëz Protected Landscape V 491.5 hectares (4.915 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Nikolicë Protected Landscape 15 January 1996 (1996-01-15) V 510 hectares (5.1 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Krastë-Verjon Protected Landscape 26 July 2018 (2018-07-26) V 1,469.24 hectares (14.6924 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Lake Pogradec Protected Landscape
Lin and lake.jpg
18 February 1999 (1999-02-18) V 28,000 hectares (280 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Pishë Poro-Nartë Protected Landscape
Zvërnec, Albania – Narta Lagoon 02.jpg
22 October 2004 (2004-10-22) V 15,972.7 hectares (159.727 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania
Buna River-Velipojë Protected Landscape
Lumi i Bunes, burimi nga Liqeni i Shkodres 01.jpg
2 November 2005 (2005-11-02) V 21,678.85 hectares (216.7885 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania

Monuments of nature

Name Image Designated IUCN cat. Area Location
Tulipa Albanica Habitat
Lëndina e tulipanëve.JPG
13 March 2023 (2023-03-13) III 35.5 hectares (0.355 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania

Biosphere reserves

Name Image Designated Area Location
Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve
Галичица, поглед на две езера, 2011.jpg
11 June 2014 (2014-06-11) 446,244.52 hectares (4,462.4452 km2)
Protected areas of Albania is located in Albania
Protected areas of Albania

References

  1. ^ "Map" (PDF). gazetasi.al. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  2. ^ UNESCO. "Albania". whc.unesco.org.
  3. ^ Ramsar Convention. "ALBANIA" (PDF). ramsar.org.
  4. ^ "WDPA - Designation Display". Archived from the original on 2011-01-12. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
  5. ^ "Important Plant Areas of the south and east Mediterranean region" (PDF). portals.iucn.org. p. 76.
  6. ^ BirdLife International. "Albania". datazone.birdlife.org.
  7. ^ "Baza Ligjore | APR Tirana". Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  8. ^ "FLETORJA ZYRTARE" (PHP). planifikimi.gov.al. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  9. ^ "Zonat e Mbrojtura në Shqipëri". akzm.gov.al. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Për miratimin e ndryshimit të statusit dhe të sipërfaqes së ekosistemeve natyrore park kombëtar (kategoria ii) të zonave të mbrojtura mjedisore". Qendra e Botimeve Zyrtare. 26 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Initial assessment of protected areas in Albania" (PDF). iucn.org. pp. 1–12.
  12. ^ "Parku Kombëtar i Butrintit – Plani i Menaxhimit të Integruar (2020-2030)" (PDF). kultura.gov.al. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  13. ^ "Parku Kombëtar i Prespës pajiset me sinjalistikën vertikale". ata.gov.al. Agjencia Telegrafike Shqiptare. 5 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Parku i Karavastasë: Një destinacion ndryshe". monitor.al. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  15. ^ "Final Report on the Study on Landscape of the National Park Llogara" (PDF). United Nations Development Program. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  16. ^ Brazhda, Fatmir. "Parku Kombëtar Shebenik-Jabllanicë". albNatyra. Retrieved 21 May 2008.
  17. ^ "Vendime të miratuara në mbledhjen e Këshillit të Ministrave". kryeministria.al. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  18. ^ "PVKM për miratimin e ndryshimit në sipërfaqe të ekosistemit natyror "Mali i Tomorrit" i shpallur Park Kombëtar". konsultimipublik.gov.al. Ministria e Turizmit dhe Mjedisit. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  19. ^ Parmentier, Laurian (15 November 2022). "Integrative analysis reveals cryptic speciation linked to habitat differentiation within Albanian populations of the anomalous blues (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Polyommatus Latreille, 1804)". Comparative Cytogenetics.
  20. ^ "Decision no.715 dated 23.06.2009 amending Decision No.402 dated 21.6.2006 proclaiming National Park the Dajti Mountain natural ecosystem". FAOLEX. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  21. ^ "Regulation No. 1631 proclaiming the natural ecosystem of Bredhi I Hotoves-Dangelli as national park". UNEP. Retrieved 17 December 2008.
  22. ^ Katanich, Doloresz (15 March 2023). "'Conserved forever': Albania's Vjosa officially declared Europe's first wild river national park". Euronews.
  23. ^ "10 years Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park". UNDP. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  24. ^ "Rrjeti i Zonave të Mbrojtura në Shqipëri" (PDF). cbd.int. Retrieved 1 January 2014.