![Network of protected areas in Albania (2020)[1]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Harta_e_Zonave_t%C3%AB_Mbrojtura_%282020%29.svg/400px-Harta_e_Zonave_t%C3%AB_Mbrojtura_%282020%29.svg.png)
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]
