Protect nature Invest for the future. Gashi.

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Julia Golden
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1 Gashi

Green Belt Albania The project Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development at the Green Belt Albania is jointly implemented by EuroNatur and the NGO Protection and Preservation of Natural

The main purpose of the project is to achieve a contribution to the protection of the biodiversity and the sustainable rural development in two protected areas along the Balkan Green Belt in Albania:

2 Green Belt Albania The project Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development at the Green Belt Albania is jointly implemented by EuroNatur and the NGO Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) with financial support by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN). The main purpose of the project is to achieve a contribution to the protection of the biodiversity and the sustainable rural development in two protected areas along the Balkan Green Belt in Albania: The core zone Rajca of the Shebenik- Jablanica National Park in the southeastern part of Albania at the border to FYR Macedonia, Hannes Knapp (Germany) The Strict Nature Reserve Lumi i Gashit in the planned National Park Albanian Alps in the northern part of Albania at the border to Kosovo and Montenegro. Gabriel Schwaderer (Euronatur) 2

Beech forest in Gashi Hannes Knapp (Germany) Beech forest in Rrajca Gabriel Schwaderer (Euronatur) Forests comprise a large part of the

A large part of the exceptionally rich animal and plant biodiversity of these areas is directly or indirectly associated with woodland

The areas comprise a number of rare woodland habitat types and the most important one is the beech forest.

They host dozens of important plant species listed in international conventions and EU Directives as well as being included in the IUCN

In addition, the forests in both areas are very significant as habitats for important European large carnivores, such as Grey wolf,

3 Beech forest in Gashi Hannes Knapp (Germany) Beech forest in Rrajca Gabriel Schwaderer (Euronatur) Forests comprise a large part of the total land cover of the Shebenik-Jablanica mountain range as well as the Albanian Alps. A large part of the exceptionally rich animal and plant biodiversity of these areas is directly or indirectly associated with woodland habitats. Thus, woodland is very important for the high biodiversity of the area. The areas comprise a number of rare woodland habitat types and the most important one is the beech forest. Both protected areas contain the last well preserved virgin and ancient beech forests in entire Albania. They host dozens of important plant species listed in international conventions and EU Directives as well as being included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants. In addition, the forests in both areas are very significant as habitats for important European large carnivores, such as Grey wolf, Brown bear and Balkan lynx. Only few virgin and ancient beech forests exist in whole Europe. Therefore, many of them are already classified as UNESCO World Nature Heritage site. The World Heritage Convention was adopted in 1972 as an international instrument for the protection of globally unique cultural and natural sites. As world nature heritage Brown bear (Ursus arctos) Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus) 3

Beech forest in Gashi Gabriel Schwaderer (Euronatur) Beech forest in Rrajca Hannes Knapp (Germany) site only areas which demonstrate an outstanding universal value, integrity and proper management

The UNESCO World Nature Heritage status brings worldwide attention to regions with outstanding universal value. The sites deliver a wide variety of benefits to local communities e.g. attraction for tourists, providing health and recreation values, knowledge as well as cultural and spiritual values.

Both nominated sites are equal with the project areas of this project: the core zone Rajca in the Shebenik-Jablanica National Park as well as the Strict Nature Reserve Lumi i Gashit in the Albanian

4 Beech forest in Gashi Gabriel Schwaderer (Euronatur) Beech forest in Rrajca Hannes Knapp (Germany) site only areas which demonstrate an outstanding universal value, integrity and proper management can be selected. Currently (July 2015) only 197 places are inscribed as UNESCO world nature heritage site. The UNESCO World Nature Heritage status brings worldwide attention to regions with outstanding universal value. The sites deliver a wide variety of benefits to local communities e.g. attraction for tourists, providing health and recreation values, knowledge as well as cultural and spiritual values. In February 2016 the government of Albania signed in the frame of a European wide process the nomination for the UNESCO world nature heritage of two virgin beech forest sites. Both nominated sites are equal with the project areas of this project: the core zone Rajca in the Shebenik-Jablanica National Park as well as the Strict Nature Reserve Lumi i Gashit in the Albanian Alps. wider contexts they also support ecosystem services related to human wellbeing as well as the maintenance of the health of other ecosystems, like aquatic ecosystems and farmlands. Forests provide invaluable ecosystem services such as protecting the soil from erosion, contributing to soil formation and facilitating aquifer recharge, to name just a few examples. In addition both areas also comprise important landscape elements that have an essential contribution to the uniqueness of the Albanian Alps and Shebenik-Jablanica. The major component of the project is to implement pilot projects in the project areas. The pilot projects aim to connect the improvement of the conservation management in the two project areas as well as the living conditions of the local population through rural, environmental friendly development. Besides the intrinsic conservation value of the forests in the Albanian Alps as well as Shebenik-Jablanica, it has a significant role for the local economy in many ways, like for producing timber, wood for fuel, various nontimber forest products as well as outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities.in Sheep flock in the Gashi mountain Catherin Bohne (Journey to Valbona) 4

5 Pemë shekullore Trungje pemësh të thate akoma në këmbë TIPOLOGJIA Pemë të lashta me kurora për mbrojtje ose folenizim Kavitete mbi trungjet e mëdhenj Trungje të thatë në mes të individëve të gjallë Bimë shumë të vjetra me degë të mëdha që ofrojnë strehë dhe folenizim Trungje në kwmbë, që humbasin gradualisht degët dhe kërcejtë Trungje të bashkuar me hapësira të mëdha për strehimin e kafshëve Pemë të reja të vdekura FAUNA E EGER SHOQËRUESE) Grabitqarë të mëdhenj si shqiponja (Aquila chrysaetos) Hapësira për folenizimin e thëllëzës së malit (Alectoris graeca) Mjedise të përshtatsëm për instected Lucanus cervus, Cerambyx cerdo Shpendë, ketra, sëbashku me insekte dhe predatorë të tyre Kolonializim nga kërpudha, likene, fierna, insekte dhe species si qukapikët Ariu i murrëm Shoqërime kërpudhash, alga dhe baktere Trungje të porsarëzuar me degë të shumta Trungje që dobësohen gradualisht Shoqërime kërpudhash dhe insekte brigjatë Insekte dhe kërpudha Trungje të rezuara Trungje të rëzuar që fundosen ngadalë në tokë Trungje të rëzuar, pa degë në dekompozim Trungje të rëzuar, plotësisht të dekompozuar me formë të ruajtur Pemë të shkulura, rrënjët të bashkëlidhura Mbetje të shumta bimore Insekte dhe kërpudha Insekte, kërpudha të specializuara Miriapodë, etj. Trungjet e rëzuar nxisin mbirjen e bimëve të reja Rrënjët mund të fshehin shpendë dhe insekte Fierna dhe bimë të tjera Mbeturina bimore në tokë dhe ujë Fragmente të mbetjeve bimore, degë, trungje Mbetje të dekompozimit bimor në lumenj dhe përrenj Lloje të specializuara kërpudhash, etj. Alga, larva insektesh, peshq 5

Beech forests Life means diversity From small forms to giant ones, by deep valleys to upland plain of the mountains; from the clarity to the clouds and glacial lakes-that is the characterization and

6 Beech forests Life means diversity From small forms to giant ones, by deep valleys to upland plain of the mountains; from the clarity to the clouds and glacial lakes-that is the characterization and particularity of Lumi i Gashit as the centerpiece of the North Albanian Alps! The old beech forests are characterized by the presence of stately trees. Gaps in the canopy result from the rotting of trees due to age and the decomposition of them brings the nutrition s back in the ground and a new cycle of life starts. European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is found widely in Europe. Beach forest survived the last glacial period in the form of small clusters in the South and Southeast Europe, while again colonization of large parts of the continent has been done. Dominance has happened over the last 4000 years, a relatively short time. Beech forests flourished in a wide range of countries from the coasts of western North Europe to major European mountain massifs. They provide natural habitat for more than 10,000 species of animal, plant and fungi. Post-glacial colonization of landscapes by the beech forests has occurred in parallel with the deployment of human perseverance and the formation of more complex societies. Therefore, it is not surprising why beech wood turned into an important element of human culture. Even nowadays in villages of Albanian Alps, not only the premises dedicated to animals, but also the houses are dominated by beech structures. Gashi Gabriel Schwaderer (Euronatur) 6

7 Gashi Catherin Bohne (Journey to Valbona) Fireplace of locals in Gashi mountain Catherin Bohne (Journey to Valbona) Gashi Gabriel Schwaderer (Euronatur) Gashi Gabriel Schwaderer (Euronatur) Gashi Catherin Bohne (Journey to Valbona) Gashi Hannes Knapp (Germany) 7

Strict Nature Reserve Lumi i Gashit The Strict Nature Reserve Lumi i Gashit (IUCN-Category I) with a surface of 3,000 ha was designated by cabinet decision No. 102 on 15.01.1996.

very Northeast of Albania in the border zone with Montenegro and Kosovo. The area is an important pearl along the European Green Belt.

8 Strict Nature Reserve Lumi i Gashit The Strict Nature Reserve Lumi i Gashit (IUCN-Category I) with a surface of 3,000 ha was designated by cabinet decision No. 102 on It belongs to the Bjeshket e Nemuana Mountains (in English often referred to as Albanian Alps) and is located in the region Kukes in the Tropoja District under the administration of RAPA Kukes in the very Northeast of Albania in the border zone with Montenegro and Kosovo. The area is an important pearl along the European Green Belt. Bjeshket e Nemua is a high-altitude mountain with peaks reaching 2,694 m above sea level. The Strict Nature Reserve borders East to the 8,000 ha large Tropoje Lugina e Valbones National Park, designated as well in The reserve covers the upper catchment area of the mountain river Lumi i Gashit including the spring and its partly only temporary tributaries. The reserve contains the different elevation zones from 1,000 meters at river level up to the watershed along the Eastern border of the mountain. It is characterized by differentiated vegetation complexes including lower mountain forests up to alpine Gashi rocks. Gashi River valley starts from the glacial groove of Dobërdoli in an altitude of 1,600 m above sea level and ends at the Tropoja catchment at an altitude of 244 m above sea level. The lithological diversity is reflected in the morphological variety of the valley, especially in its widenings and narrowings. In the northern part of the area the glacial Lake Dashi is situated. The Strict Nature Reserve 8

9 Lumi i Gashit is covered mostly by forests, heath land and herbaceous vegetation associations. Forest areas occupy a surface of 2,693 ha. The natural beech forest part of Gashi covers an area of around 1,260 ha, which is identical with the proposed UNESCO world heritage site. The beech forest area is located between 700-1,900 m of altitude. The beech tree occupies the major part in this zone, as in the areas of Vermoshi, Cukali, Thethi and Fushzezë. Next to the beech forest, the other characteristics of the Strict Nature Reserve are the abundance of forests along the Valley of Gashi River and shrubby, grassy habitats around the forests. Comparing with other regions of Albania this most northern part remains quite homogenous from the natural point of view. The nature of the region Lumi I Gashit and its resources remains well preserved, mostly due to its peripheral location far from the urban and industrial centres as well as main roads. This makes the vast mountain area difficult to access. Nevertheless, during the last decades human impact and pressures on environment and biodiversity of the area has significantly increased. Especially planned hydro power plants in the area are a serious threat to the beech forest. The realization would destroy important areas and lead to a dramatic loss of natural values. Në këtë kuadër hidrocentralet e planifikuar në këtë zonë janë një kërcënim serioz për pyjet e ahut. Realizimi do të shkatërronte zona të rëndësishme dhe të çojë në një humbje dramatike të vlerave natyrore. Annex 1.1 Topographic map of the nominated component Lumi i gashit Albania Borders World Heritage Property Buffer Zone Size of property in hectar: 1262 Size of buffer zone in hectar: 8978 DRAFT VERSION [Natural Beech Forests of Europe] Background: ESRI Topografic Baselayer Projection: WGS Kilometer N Lumi i gashit Annex 1.1 Scale: 1: Date:

10 10

11 planned National Park of Albanian Alps Gashi Strictly Protected Area 11

12 European Green Belt The project referred to in this publication is being conducted in order to help achieve the vision of the European Green Belt. The Green Belt, our shared natural heritage along the former Iron Curtain, is to be conserved and restored as an ecological network connecting highvalue natural and cultural landscapes while respecting the economic, social and cultural needs of local communities. The European Green Belt spans along 24 countries and runs about km from the Barents Sea to the Black and Adratic Seas. The European Green Belt Initiative consists of four organizational sections: Fennoscandia, Baltic, Central Europe and Balkan. The overall steering is carried out by the European Green Belt Association e.v. consisting of members from all the regions. Each section is coordinated regionally and every country has a National Focal Point appointed from the respective Ministry of Environment. Active nature conservation organizations in the countries along the Green Belt are an important pillar for the Green Belt Initiative. Moreover, the initiative aims to better harmonize human activities with the natural environment and to increase opportunities for the socio-economic development of local communities. The Balkan Green Belt hosts a hot spot of biodiversity and endemism. Predominantly located in the mountain ranges of the Balkan Peninsula, it forms an extremely heterogeneous mosaic of natural landscapes, including pristine alpine ecosystems, forests and steppe habitats, as well as lakes and coastal zones. The region also includes extraordinary cultural landscapes that are home to a multitude of threatened plant and animal species. For further information please see: 12

HUNGARY SLOVENIA ITALY CROATIA ROMANIA SERBIA

13 NORWAY RUSSIA FINLAND ESTONIA LATVIA RUSSIA LITHUANIA POLAND GERMANY CZECH REPUBLIC SLOVAKIA AUSTRIA HUNGARY SLOVENIA ITALY CROATIA ROMANIA SERBIA MONTENEGRO ALBANIA BULGARIA KOSOVO* FYR MACEDONIA GREECE TURKEY 13

14 Funded by the German Federal The project Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development at the Green Belt Albania is financial support by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) with means of the Federal Minsitry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety. Federal Agency for Nature Conservation Agency for Nature Conservation with funds of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment

Hydropower development in Valbona VALLEY National Park IN Albania

POSITION PAPER MARCH 2017 Hydropower development in Valbona VALLEY National Park IN Albania Hydropower development in Valbona Valley National Park, currently totaling 14 plants, is among the most egregious