Rivers: lifelines of the Dinaric Arc

BROCHURE 2014 Rivers: lifelines of the Dinric Arc Conservtion of the most vluble rivers of South-Estern Europe The Morc River cnyon, Montenegro Andrij Vrdoljk WWF-Cnon

Published in My 2014 by WWF World Wide Fund For Nture (Formerly World Wildlife Fund), Rome, Itly. Any reproduction in full or inprt of this publiction must mention the title nd credit the bove-mentioned publisher s the copyright owner. Text nd grphics: 2014 WWF All rights reserved Contct: Frncesc Antonelli, fntonelli@wwfmedpo.org Grphics nd design lyout: Sndro Drinovc, Đorđe Jovnović WWF is one of the world s lrgest nd most experienced independent conservtion orgniztions, with over 5 million supporters nd globl network ctive in more thn 100 countries. WWF s mission is to stop the degrdtion of the plnet s nturl environment nd to build future in which humns live in hrmony with nture, by: conserving the world s biologicl diversity, ensuring tht the use of renewble nturl resources is sustinble, nd promoting the reduction of pollution nd wsteful consumption.

Rivers: lifelines of the Dinric Arc Conservtion of the most vluble rivers of South-Estern Europe TABLE OF CONTENTS: 05... FOREWORD 06... INTRODUCTION 07... SUMMARY 08... METHODOLOGY 10... REGIONAL MAP 12... MOST IMPORTANT RIVERS AND RIVER REACHES IN CROATIA 14... THE ZRMANJA RIVER 16... MOST IMPORTANT RIVERS AND RIVER REACHES IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 18... THE NERETVA RIVER 20... MOST IMPORTANT RIVERS AND RIVER REACHES IN MONTENEGRO 22... THE MORAČA RIVER 24... MOST IMPORTANT RIVERS AND RIVER REACHES IN ALBANIA 26... THE VJOSA RIVER 28... CONCLUSION

04 Skdr Lke, Montenegro Andrij Vrdoljk WWF-Cnon

FOREWORD Blkns freshwter biodiversity is globlly outstnding Scientists re unnimous when tlking bout the mzing I biodiversity of the Dinric Arc, especilly its freshwter life endemic fish, snils nd other invertebrtes, nd below our feet, in the drkness of cves nd underground tunnels, thrives mgnificent, yet unexplored cosmos of life. This is very specil prt of our plnet. As we struggle towrds more resource-efficient economies, humnity s demnd for more power is driving investments in hydropower developments in our region t n exponentil rte. By modifying wter flows, hydropower developments re impcting known (nd unknown) life forms dependent on these ge-old ptterns, modifying our lndscpes nd our locl climte. How to blnce the need for power with wise stewrdship of our own, unique, piece of life on Erth? The nswer to this dilemm will require tht we find in ourselves the will nd wisdom to mke the right choices. Deni Porej WWF believes tht these choices cn be mde through n open nd trnsprent nlysis of costs nd benefits of hydropower developments. This publiction is our contribution to improving the qulity of dilogue. It does not offer definite nswers. We mke n ppel to scientists, decision mkers, investors nd interested public to exmine it, discuss it nd improve it. Doing so will help us pprecite the difficulty nd complexity of fctors we hve to consider when deciding for or ginst hydropower developments. We hope tht this reflection will convince everyone concerned tht these decisions cnnot be mde in isoltion, but through brod societl consensus nd, therefore, serve s n encourgement to engge in productive dilogue. Deni Porej, PhD Director of Conservtion Progrmmes, WWF Mediterrnen 05

INTRODUCTION Hydropower is not green energy by defult With its long, deep, unspoiled, crystl cler wters, the river network of the Dinric Arc region is its hert, the foundtion of well being for people, nimls nd plnts. Nture hs provided this bundnt nd high qulity resource for free for millenni but tody it is used nd misused without concern. The rhythm of development is incresing nd the region is experiencing the boom of hydropower development, with hundreds of new dms in the pipeline or under construction. Frncesc Antonelli Hydropower is n excellent source of energy nd in some cses the right choice to meet energy needs. Nevertheless there is myth to dispel: hydropower is not green energy source by defult. A decde go the World Commission on II III Dms, initited by the World Bnk nd the Interntionl IV Union for Conservtion of Nture (IUCN), demonstrted tht often dms were being built without dequte concern for locl communities nd nture, resulting in dmge rther thn benefit. Too often dms hve been plnned nd built looking mostly t the economic ngle. The good news is tht civil society, investors, finnciers, ntionl nd regionl decision mkers re becoming wre tht dm should be plnned nd built only when winwin sitution exists. More nd more they re tking into ccount socil, environmentl nd economic spects. 1 Albni: Generl Directorte of Wter of the Ministry of Environment, Fculty of Nturl Sciences of Tirn University. Bosni nd Herzegovin: Institute for Protection of Culturl, Historicl nd Nturl Heritge of Republik Srpsk; Ministry of Environment nd Tourism of the Federtion of Bosni nd Herzegovin. Croti: Stte Institute for Nture Protection. Montenegro: Environmentl Protection Agency. 06 WWF (the Mediterrnen Progrmme in collbortion with the Dnube Crpthin Progrmme) hs developed this publiction s contribution to more responsible decision mking in dm plnning, highlighting the river ecosystems of the Dinric Arc region which re outstnding for their biodiversity or their singulrity. This ssessment ws crried out in collbortion with the most importnt environmentl institutions from Albni, Bosni 1 nd Herzegovin, Croti nd Montenegro to mke sure tht the informtion nd pproch used re in line with their knowledge nd experience. The hope is tht those involved in the conception, plnning nd construction of dms in the Dinric Arc region will mke the best use of this informtion.

The Neretv River delt in Croti Andrij Vrdoljk WWF-Cnon SUMMARY In 2011, WWF Mediterrnen lunched the WWF Dinric Arc Sustinble Hydropower Inititive (DASHI) which ims t improving the wy decisions bout future hydropower infrstructures re mde nd existing plnts re operted, since the vibility of freshwter ecosystems is t stke. WWF, with the most importnt environmentl institutions from the countries of the Dinric Arc, crried out n nlysis of rivers to identify which re still intct nd rich in biodiversity. 296 rivers were nlysed for totl length of bout 13,278 km nd totl bsin surfce of round 165,000 km². The nlysis took into considertion the condition of rivers (bsed on their hydrology, chnnel morphology, riprin vegettion, wter qulity nd lnd use in the sub-bsin) nd their biologicl condition using the distribution of freshwter fish species nd the existence of Protected Ares. Two dditionl nlyses identified ll the hbitt types typicl of the region (representtion nlysis) nd the river reches importnt for connectivity (connectivity nlysis), highlighting wide vriety of different hbitts, nd therefore species, mny of which re endemic, tht re present in the four countries. This enbled the production of mp of the most vluble reches of rivers (see pges 10-11). The outcome of the nlysis is the discovery tht the level of integrity of the Dinric Arc river network is very high with mny of the rivers still in high or good condition. The totl length of outstnding river reches is in fct 8,739 km, ccounting for 66 % of the totl river length nlysed. The country with the highest percentge of preserved rivers is Montenegro with 76 % of outstnding rivers (898 km), followed by Croti with 73% (3,301 km), Bosni nd Herzegovin with 60% (2,632 km) nd Albni lso with 60% (1,907 km). 07

METHODOLOGY The process envisged first the development of methodology followed by dt collection (provided by ntionl institutions or publicly vilble on internet) nd GIS nlysis. A finl consulttion with the prtner institutions completed the process. The methodology nd the GIS nlysis were performed by Krešimir Žgnec, PhD, Associte Professor t the University of Zdr in Croti. The ssessment took bit more thn one yer nd covered four countries (Albni, Bosni nd Herzegovin, Croti nd Montenegro). 2 According to the: I) size of their sub-bsin, II) ltitudinl rnge, III) geology nd IV) hydrology 3 Mximum vlue of TBI index is 100 * The hydromorphology dt used ws tken from report Blkn Rivers The Blue Hert of Europe; Hydromorphologicl Sttus nd Dm Projects, EuroNtur, Riverwtch, FLUVIUS, Vienn, Mrch 2012 2 Rivers were first clssified by river types nd then divided into river reches, the min units of the nlysis. Evluted river reches (ERR) were clssified bsed on river type, hbitt type nd their condition. 08 The Vjos River, Albni Gorn Šfrek WWF-Cnon

*River condition ws clculted by combining the vlue of five indictors: hydrology, wter qulity, chnnel morphology, riprin vegettion nd lnd use. Ech of the indictors ws ssigned numericl vlue, nd bsed on their sum the condition of river reches ws clssified s high, good, moderte, poor or bd. All river reches with high nd good condition re considered the most outstnding river reches. The min ssumption of this pproch is tht river reches in high or good condition re ble to mintin biodiversity chrcteristic of tht river nd hbitt type. Dt on the distribution of IUCN Red List fish species, endemic fish species nd protected res were used t this stge to clculte the totl biologicl importnce 3 (TBI) index for ech ERR. All ERRs with score between 80 nd 100 in the TBI index becme cndidte priority river reches of very high nd high conservtion priority. Eursin coot (Fulic tr) Andrij Vrdoljk WWF-Cnon Two dditionl prmeters were nlysed in order to provide complete overview: representtion nd connectivity nlyses. The representtion nlysis increses the vlue of n ERR in moderte or poor condition becuse it is the only hbitt of this type left in the region (i.e. the Neretv delt in the Adritic Se or Mirn in Istri), while the connectivity nlysis looks t the longitudinl connectivity between cndidte priority reches nd the rest of the river network. More detils on the pproch dopted, dt used nd results obtined re vilble upon request. Krvice wterfll on Trebižt River, Bosni nd Herzegovin Andrij Vrdoljk WWF-Cnon Common duck (Anser nser) in the Neretv River delt in Croti Andrij Vrdoljk WWF-Cnon 09

Hungry Mur Vrždin Sloveni Dr v Bednj Krpin Croti v n Drv Česm Osijek Kršic Ilov Sv Du Zgreb Bijel K up Krlovc Ku Vuk Pk r Do b O Sv Prijedor n Rš Slvonski Brod v rlj in Gl n Kor Rijek Mirn j r p Lon Sv U Plitvičk Lkes Un G Bihć ck Bnj Luk S sn Bo Lik Kr iv Zenic Tuzl Jl eč Spr Bosni nd Herzegovin n Un Lke Kruščic Sv s b Vr j s b Vr Zrm nj Srjevo Krk Či Rmsko Lke Buško Lke ko l Ljut Drežnk et Ce er N tin v Split JblničkoR Lke nk nic kit Dolj Mostr Bun Tre b iž t Ne ret v Zlomk Bregv Neretv Krup Adritic Se Dubrovnik K B Adritic Se LEGEND Most outstnding river reches River reches importnt for connectivity Other evluted river reches Existing dms * This designtion is without prejudice to positions on sttus, nd is in line with UNSC 1244 nd the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declrtion of Independence.

REGIONAL MAP Drin RIVERS AND RIVER REACHES MOST IMPORTANT FOR THE DINARIC ARC Serbi Dr in IN A SNAPSHOT: Lim in Tr Ceoti n Pivsko Lke Tr Montenegro Bijelo Polje Lim r Ib Kosovo* č Nikšić Podgoric Rijek Crnojević Br Lke Shkodr / Skdrsko Lke Fierz Shkodr Dr in ii Mcedoni Zi ti M Tirn Er ze Albni ni Lke Ohrid Shkumbini ni Devo lli Kotorski By Mor Dr Lke Presp m Se Korç Fieri Osum i Vjo se - 296 rivers nlysed - Totl length of 13,278km - Totl bsin surfce of round 165,000km² - 66 % of the totl river length nlysed is outstnding (8,739km) - The country with most preserved rivers is Montenegro with 76 % of outstnding rivers (898km), followed by Croti with 73% (3,301km), Bosni nd Herzegovin with 60% (2,632km) nd Albni lso with 60% (1,907km) Greece Vjo se Dr ino 11

Zrmnj CROATIA Croti (Europe) A totl of 4,522km ws nlysed 73 % of which resulted to be outstnding (3,301km). Of these rivers 998km re included for hbitt representtion purposes nd 69km for connectivity purposes. The Zrmnj River is presented in this publiction s cse of extreme biologicl nd lndscpe diversity concentrted in very smll re nd of rich underground freshwter fun. 73 % 27 % Outstnding Not outstnding Drgonj Mirn Rijek Focus: The Zrmnj River Rš Pul Zrmnj Krup Adritic Se LEGEND Most outstnding river reches River reches importnt for connectivity Other evluted river reches Existing dms WWF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ZRMANJA RIVER The Zrmnj River cnyon (the lower prt of the Zrmnj) is protected s significnt lndscpe nd the other prt of the Zrmnj together with its tributry the Krup re protected s prt of Velebit Nture Prk by the ntionl Nture Protection Act (both belong to IUCN ctegory V). Furthermore, both rivers re prt of the Ntur 2000 network. As such, ny development pln should be scrutinized ccording to the Crotin Nture Protection Act nd Ntur 2000 procedures. Crotin wter legisltion ligned with the Wter Frmework Directive, dditionlly protects these rivers.

Mur Dr v Vrždin Dr Hungry v Bednj Su tl in Krp Sv Bijel Ku p Ku p br M in j Pk r V. S t Sun Voćinsk r.. k r vč lo Rd Orljv Vuk ž Lond rug j Osijek Kršic v Bosu t Slvonski Brod lj r O j Gl Lon Sv Un žnic n Mre čin Sv Krlovc Kor br Do Do Toplic Serbi v Ilov n Drv Česm Zgreb Sv Du Sloveni Rje MOST IMPORTANT RIVERS AND RIVER REACHES IN CROATIA Sv Dretulj G ck Plitvičk Lkes Krb Lke Kruščic vi Tuzl Un c Bosni nd Herzegovin Krb J v do Lik Bnj Luk Bihć v Zenic Zdr Krup Zrm nj Srjevo Krk Či ko l Ce tin Šibenik Split " Ce tin Mostr Adritic Se Neretv Montenegro " Dubrovnik 13

THE ZRMANJA RIVER MAIN CHARACTERISTICS With length of 69km, the Zrmnj River is mong the shortest rivers within the Adritic river bsin. It is locted t the junction of number of ecosystems nd is exceptionlly rich in biodiversity. The Zrmnj connects the south estern slopes of the Velebit Mountins with the Velebit Nture Prk. It is typicl krstic river, which hs formed 7km-long vlley in its upper course where it plunges into 200m-deep cnyon. The most significnt tributry of the Zrmnj River is the Krup River, rich in trvertine structures. After the confluence with the Krup, the Zrmnj lso forms trvertine brriers, like the 11m-high wterfll clled Visoki buk, which is the biggest wterfll on the river. Further downstrem we find Jnković buk, the lst wterfll on the Zrmnj River, which mrks the border between fresh nd brckish wter s well s different biotic communities. Other tributries re the Krnjez, Ric ic nd Otuc. The middle prt of the Zrmnj River is prtilly sesonl river, nd it dries out ner Mokro field where the wters of Zrmnj submerge, to finlly emerge bout 15km downstrem s the permnent flow of the lower Zrmnj. MAIN BIODIVERSITY DATA The Zrmnj River flows entirely within the Ntur 2000 network. The chrcteristic species in the upstrem prts of the river re similr to those found in other krstic rivers, while further downstrem from Jnković buk to the estury, becuse of slt wter intrusion, brckish nd mrine species previl. A totl of 49 fish species were recorded in the river, 15 within the freshwter prt, 8 of which re species endemic to the Adritic river bsin, nd the rest in the estury prt. The Europen eel (Anguill nguill), criticlly endngered ll over the world, nd the olm (Proteus nguinus), the only Croti, s the newest EU member, is fced with the chllenge between EU efforts to preserve the rivers nd nture on the one hnd, nd to use hydropower s renewble energy source on the other. Most of the rivers, which re in this project recognized s the most outstnding, re lso included in the Ntur 2000 network in Croti. This publiction further highlights the importnce nd the need to preserve our nturl heritge. Dniel Schneider, Stte Institute for Nture Protection, Croti The Zrmnj River, Croti Gorn Šfrek WWF-Cnon

The Zrmnj River, Croti Gorn Šfrek WWF-Cnon Golden egle (Aquil chrysetos) Wild Wonders of Europe Sven Zcek WWF cve mphibin in Europe found in the underground flow of Zrmnj with lrge popultion, re common in the Zrmnj river. A combintion of freshwter hbitts with extensive frming is suitble for mphibins (8 species) nd reptiles (20 species), nd they re bundnt. Mny of the molluscs present re endemic, protected or thretened species or subspecies. The cnyons of Zrmnj re lso home to the otter (Lutr lutr) nd to endngered birds like the golden egle (Aquil chrysetos) nd the short-toed snke egle (Circetus gllicus). MAJOR THREATS The wters in the lower prt of the Zrmnj re used by the reversible HPP Velebit (pumping storge) nd Rzovc reservoir, both built in 1984. Tunnels nd pipes were lso built to connect Zrmnj to the Ric ic River becuse of the Velebit pumped-storge power plnt. Chnges to the hydrologic regime of the river pose mjor thret to the survivl nd stbility of fish fun, thret mde more significnt by the possibility of n upgrde to the existing system of hydropower production. Other mjor threts to the biodiversity of the Zrmnj re wter pollution, poching nd intrusion of lien species. Recently there hve lso been plns to build river regultion infrstructure to protect the lower river from flooding. ZRMANJA IN NUMBERS 49 8 20 8 Fish species Endemic fish species Reptile species Amphibin species ENDANGERED BIRDS: Golden egle (Aquil chrysetos) Short-toed snke egle (Circetus gllicus) 15

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Bosni nd Herzegovin (Europe) A totl of 4,408km ws nlysed, 60% of which resulted to be outstnding (2,632km). Of these rivers 486km re included for hbitt representtion purposes nd 762km for connectivity purposes. The Neretv River is presented in this publiction s remrkble for its strong fish endemism nd intricte underground hydrology which enriches n outstnding network of wetlnds in its lower course. Un Bihć 60 % 40 % Outstnding Not outstnding Focus: The Neretv River Zdr Neretv Adritic Se Neretv LEGEND Most outstnding river reches River reches importnt for connectivity Other evluted river reches Existing dms WWF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NERETVA RIVER It is crucil to integrte nture conservtion spects into the existing hydropower system nd pply the relevnt EU directives nd modern stndrds before further hydropower development on the Neretv River.

MOST IMPORTANT RIVERS AND RIVER REACHES IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Croti Sv Sv Prijedor Vrbs Tinj Sn Sn Vrbs Bnj Luk Vrbnj Tuzl Jl Drin Serbi Un Ugr Bosn Zenic Lužnic Krivj Drin Spreč Vrbs Bosn Drin Croti Šibenik Split " Buško Lke Šuic Rmsko Lke Vrbs Rm Doljnk Drežnk Trebižt Jblničko Lke Neretv Neretv Mostr Bun Srjevo Rkitnic Ljut Neretv Zlomk Bistric Sutjesk Drin Tr Lim Krup Bregv Montenegro " Dubrovnik Adritic Se 17

THE NERETVA RIVER Pst prctice hs shown tht grnting concessions for the construction of hydropower plnts in the region were done rndomly, without strtegic ssessment. This project will undoubtedly contribute to the selection of the most outstnding freshwter ecosystems nd their permnent protection through plnning policies nd documents in the future. Dejn Rdošević, Republic Institute for Protection of Culturl, Historicl nd Nturl Heritge, Republic of Srpsk / Bosni nd Herzegovin Upper Neretv River, Bosni nd Herzegovin Michel Gunther WWF-Cnon MAIN CHARACTERISTICS The Neretv River is the lrgest river in the Estern Adritic river bsin, flowing through Bosni nd Herzegovin for 203km, with finl 22km in Croti. Along the upper course of the Neretv numerous strems nd springs form hedwters tht run in undisturbed rpids nd wterflls, crving steep gorges reching depths of up to 800 metres. In the lst 30 kilometres of its flow, downstrem from the confluence of its tributries the Trebižt, Bregv nd Trebišnjic Rivers, nd just before entering the Adritic Se, the vlley spreds into the biggest lluvil delt in the Adritic. The upper prt, with 7,411 hectres in Bosni nd Herzegovin, formed by the tributries Krup nd Skrk, is wetlnd clled Hutovo Blto. The delt of the Neretv nd Hutovo Blto form one of the three key migrtory stops for birds in the Adritic Flywy. MAIN BIODIVERSITY DATA The Neretv nd its numerous tributries provide mny different hbitts for diverse collection of plnts nd nimls nd severl endemic species, recognised by officil nture conservtion bodies t both the ntionl nd interntionl level. While the Neretv delt is Rmsr site nd in the process of becoming Ntur 2000 site, Hutovo Blto wetlnd is protected s nture prk (IUCN ctegory V) nd Rmsr site. In the Neretv River we cn find 75 species of freshwter fish, mong which severl re endemic nd on the IUCN red list: the mrble trout (Slmo mrmortus), the softmouth trout (Slmo obtusirostris), the Dlmtin brbelgudgeon (Aulopyge huegelii), the Dlmtin soiffe (Chondrostom knerii), the Neretvn roch (Rutilus bsk), the Neretvn rudd (Scrdinius 18

plotizz) nd the Neretvn blek (Alburnus neretve). Furthermore six species of minnows (Telestes dbr, Telestes metohiensis, Phoxinellus pseudlepidotus, Phoxinellus lepidotus, Delminichthys dspersus nd Delminichthys ghetldii), well known for migrting into the underground wters during dry summer conditions, re endemic to specific res of the Neretv wtershed. The literture dt for Bosni nd Herzegovin lso contins confirmtion of the presence of fish species Phoxinellus lepidotus, in the bsin of the river Neretv. At lest 115 bird species regulrly nest in the re, but the totl number of bird species using the re mounts to more thn 300. The re is lso importnt s Europen resting plce for migrtory birds, nd s wintering ground. Eursin oyster ctcher (Hemtopus ostrlegus) Gorn Šfrek WWF-Cnon MAJOR THREATS The lower reches of the Neretv were significntly ltered in the second prt of the twentieth century, minly by lnd reclmtion works nd hydropower development. As result of lnd reclmtion only few frgments of the formerly lrge Mediterrnen wetlnds remined, most of which is now cultivted lnd. The Neretv hs lso been one of the most importnt sources of electricity produced from hydropower in the former stte. In the middle nd lower prt of the Neretv wtershed there re 12 hydropower plnts nd storge lkes operting while n dditionl 9 re plnned. This hs hd tremendous impct on river connectivity nd hs seriously disrupted the wter regime, mening drstic decline in fish nd bird popultions throughout the river bsin. Eursin curlew (Numenius rqut) Gorn Šfrek WWF-Cnon NERETVA IN NUMBERS 75 7 300 115 Fish species Endemic fish species Bird species Bird species regulrly nesting in the re The Krup River, Nture prk Hutovo blto Andrij Vrdoljk WWF-Cnon 19

MONTENEGRO Montenegro (Europe) A totl of 1,184km ws nlysed, 76 % of which resulted to be outstnding (899km). Of these rivers 110km re included for connectivity purposes nd none re included for hbitt representtion purposes.the Morč River in this publiction is presented s hving high diversity of fun nd flor nd for its importnce to the ecology of Skdr Lke, Rmsr site nd the biggest lke in the Blkns. 76 % 24 % Outstnding Not outstnding Focus: The Morč River Morč Morč Adritic Se Cijevn LEGEND Most outstnding river reches River reches importnt for connectivity Other evluted river reches Existing dms WWF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MORAČA RIVER The Morč River is one of the few free-flowing rivers remining in Europe nd biodiversity hotspot. It is most strongly recommended not to disrupt it with new infrstructure, the impct of which is lmost certin to be irreversible.

MOST IMPORTANT RIVERS AND RIVER REACHES IN MONTENEGRO Bosni nd Herzegovin Serbi Čeotin Vrbnic Pivsko Lke Tr Bijelo Polje Bistric Bukovic Tr Lim Popč Ibr Komrnic Srdup Nikšić Mrtvic Morč Tr Svinjč Drck Grdišnic Mjnsk r. Lim Temnjčk r. Kosovo* Zet Morč Ml rijek Kotorski By Podgoric Rijek Crnojević Cijevn Br Skdrsko/ Shkodr Lke Albni Adritic Se Bojn * This designtion is without prejudice to positions on sttus, nd is in line with UNSC 1244 nd the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declrtion of Independence. 21

THE MORAČA RIVER MAIN CHARACTERISTICS The Morc River is prt of the Adritic bsin nd hs wtershed of 2,970km². With totl length of 97km it is the biggest tributry of Skdr Lke (ntionl prk nd Rmsr site), ccounting for 62% of the totl wter dischrge to the lke. It origintes in northern Montenegro, under the Rzc mountins. Its source is found t n ltitude of lmost 1000m, nd it rpidly ssumes the chrcteristics of fst-flowing mountin river, winding through the beutiful Pltije Cnyon ner Montenegro s cpitl Podgoric. It is the second most importnt river in Montenegro nd is one of the few free-flowing rivers left in Europe. MAIN BIODIVERSITY DATA The min tributries of the Morc re the Mrtvic nd Ml rijek, both Emerld sites with wonderful biodiversity. The Morc is home to severl protected fish species: the criticlly endngered Europen eel (Anguill nguill), the endngered endemic species Skdr gudgeon (Gobio skdrensis) found only in the Skdr Lke bsin nd lower Morc, nd the endngered softmouth trout (Slmo obtusirostris), species endemic to the Adritic river bsin. The Morc cnyon fulfils Importnt Bird Are (IBA) stndrds thnks to 29 different bird species living in this re. Pltije Cnyon hosts 42% of the totl ntionl breeding popultion of the globlly endngered pygmy cormornt (Phlcrocorx pygmeus). In terms of plnt diversity, 1,600 plnt species hve been registered in the Morc Cnyon, of which 60 plnt species re endemic to the Blkn Peninsul nd more thn 85 species re protected t ntionl level. Skdr Lke hosts one of the most importnt bird nd fish hbitts in the Mediterrnen region, providing more thn 90% of freshwter fish consumed in Montenegro, nd is winter home to some 150,000 migrtory birds. MAJOR THREATS The Morc River cnyon, Montenegro Andrij Vrdoljk WWF-Cnon The biggest thret to the Morc is the Montenegro Govertnment s pln to build series of four hydropower

plnts. The construction of dms nd reservoirs long the Morc would flood lrge upstrem res nd impct the wter inflow to Skdr Lke. This would jeoprdize locl nd migrtory bird nd fish species, s well s the whole spectrum of species of interntionl importnce nd would threten one of the three mjor resting res for birds in the Adritic Flywy. MORAČA AND SKADAR LAKE IN NUMBERS 54 31 282 150,000 Fish species Endemic fish species Bird species Migrtory birds Whiskered terns (Chelidonis hybrid) Wild Wonders of Europe Miln Rdisics WWF ENDANGERED FISH: Europen eel (Anguill nguill) Skdr gudgeon (Gobio skdrensis) Softmouth trout (Slmo obtusirostris) Gret white pelicn (Pelecnus onocrotlus) Andrij Vrdoljk WWF-Cnon This publiction is very importnt tool for decision mkers nd for those engged in the protection of the environment in Montenegro. Rivers, river bsins nd qutic ecosystems re the biologicl engine of the plnet. They ply very importnt role not only in mintining the nturl blnce, but lso for provisioning services tht support life. Therefore it is necessry to protect certin prts of qutic ecosystems from ny kind of disruption. Milic Vukčević, Environmentl Protection Agency, Montenegro Bot on Skdr Lke, Montenegro Wild Wonders of Europe Miln Rdisics WWF

ALBANIA Albni (Europe) A totl of 3,164km ws nlysed, 60% of which resulted s outstnding (1,907km). Of these rivers 223km re included for hbitt representtion purposes nd 748km for connectivity purposes. The river Vjos is presented in this publiction s one of the few free-flowing rivers in Albni with extremely vluble biodiversity nd good or high ecologicl sttus. 60 % 40 % Outstnding Not outstnding Focus: The Vjos River Vjos Vjos LEGEND Most outstnding river reches River reches importnt for connectivity Other evluted river teches Existing dms WWF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE VJOSA RIVER The Vjos River is one of the few remining free-flowing rivers in Europe nd one of the most importnt for biodiversity in Albni. The river should remin pristine, sfe from humn interference nd hydropower development. Due to the nturl nd biologicl vlues of the upper prt of the Vjos wtershed, from Tepelen to the Pindos Mountins in Greece, the entire wtershed should be declred n Interntionl Protected Are, similr to the existing trns-boundry Prk of Presp.

Mti Drino MOST IMPORTANT RIVERS AND RIVER REACHES IN ALBANIA Montenegro Podgoric Kosovo* Lke Shkodr / Skdrsko Shkodr Lke Fierz Adritic Se Drini i Zi Mcedoni Tirn Erzeni Shkumbini Albni Lke Ohrid Devolli Lke Presp Semni Fieri Korç Adritic Se Vjose Vjos Osumi Greece Vjos Vjose * This designtion is without prejudice to positions on sttus, nd is in line with UNSC 1244 nd the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declrtion of Independence. 25

THE VJOSA RIVER MAIN CHARACTERISTICS The Vjos River is one of the biggest rivers in Albni, with totl length of 272km nd wter bsin of 6,700km², of which 4,365km² in Albni nd the rest in Greece. The river s source is in the Pindos Mountins in Greece. As it flows the Vjos collects wter from the quifers of the Albnin mountins, flowing through severl Albnin districts (Permeti, Tepelen, Gjirokstr, Fieri, Vlor) nd ending in the Adritic Se ner Vlor. The min tributries re Srndoporo (Greece), Drinos nd Shushic (Albni), but there re mny other smll tributries. MAIN BIODIVERSITY DATA The Vjos River hs hd stble nd continuous freshwter ecosystem nd hydrologicl regime for thousnds of yers. The river re hs high diversity of hbitts nd species, while its delt (the Nrt Lgoon) nd its belt of costl dunes were declred Lndscpe Protected Are in 2004. The Vjos River vlley represents biodiversity hotspot of Albni hosting idel qutic hbitts for vrious migrtory fish species like the criticlly endngered Europen eel (Anguill nguill). The Vjos River lso hosts sub-endemic fish species like the Ohrid loch (Cobitis ohridn) nd the Pindus stone loch (Oxy noemcheilus pindus). Two globlly very rre species get shelter in Vjos, the Adritic sturgeon (Acipenser nccri) nd the Europen river lmprey (Lmpetr fluvitilis). The river is lso home to the thretened Europen otter (Lutr lutr). Rre, endemic or relict species cn be found throughout the wtershed of Vjos nd especilly in its sndy dunes nd wetlnds, where we cn Albni is country with rich nd interesting hydrologicl network, which is not used properly either for the conservtion of wter resources or for the benefit of the community. The country currently produces 95% of its energy from hydropower plnts nd is exploring the possibility of incresing the production of hydro energy. In this regrd I will shre my concern nd cll for the implementtion of environmentl stndrds for the construction of hydropower plnts nd for the strtegic ssessment of needs nd impcts, to mke the use of wter resources more sustinble nd the protection of our beutiful blue rteril system relity. Pellumb Abeshi, Generl Director of Environment, Ministry of Environment, Albni The Vjos River, Albni Gorn Šfrek WWF-Cnon

The Vjos River, Albni Gorn Šfrek WWF-Cnon find relict or rre plnt species like the qutic fern four lef clover (Mrsile qudrifoli), severl species of orchids, the ctchfly (Heliosperm intonsum) nd the crocus (Crocus hdriticus), while in the upper prt of the river we cn find the Greek strwberry tree (Arbutus ndrchne) nd popultions of cephloni ctchfly (Silenece phlleni). The Vjos-Nrt costl zone is listed s the second most importnt site for birds in Albni, fter the Krvst re, with bout 80 species recorded. The zone is known s the min wintering site for severl globlly endngered bird species like the greter flmingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) nd Audouini s gull (Ichthyetus udouinii). The Dlmtin pelicn (Pelecnus crispus) is lso present. The mountinous prts of the Vjos wtershed offer hbitt to endngered bird species including severl species of vulture (e.g. Gypetus brbtus, Neophron percnopterus, Gyps fulvus). MAJOR THREATS The min thret fcing the Vjos is the construction of eight hydropower plnts. This process hs intensified in the lst four yers with the policy of pst governments for promoting hydropower construction on Albnin rivers. The hydropower plnt Klivçi is the first one under Europen eel (Anguill nguill) Erling Svensen WWF-Cnon construction (since 2007) nd there hs been incresed grvel extrction in the lower prt of the Vjos River, s well s in its tributries Drino nd Shushic. Construction of ll hydropower plnts nd continution of grvel extrction will hve big impct on the river connectivity tht could led to decline in fish nd bird popultions throughout the river bsin. VJOSA IN NUMBERS 80 2 Birds species Sub-endemic fish species ENDANGERED FISH: Europen eel (Anguill nguill) Mullet (Mugil cephlus) Sturgeon (Acipenser) Europen river lmprey (Lmpetr fluvitilis) 27

CONCLUSION The nlysis of 296 rivers in Albni, Bosni nd Herzegovin, Croti nd Montenegro csts light on the level of integrity of the Dinric Arc river network, mking evident tht mny of the rivers re in good or high condition. The totl length of outstnding river reches (tking into ccount both representtion nd connectivity) is, in fct, 8,739km, ccounting for 66 % of the totl river length nlysed. Well preserved rivers re n importnt sset for these countries nd should be seen s n opportunity for reflection nd wise future plnning. Insted there is the dnger tht these countries will rush to exploit the potentil for further hydropower development. Mistkes mde by other Europen countries which, in some cses, hve overexploited their river networks, should not be repeted. In mny cses these countries hve ntionl progrmmes for river restortion nd re spending significnt mounts to restore the degrded ecosystems which hve lost the cpcity to provide importnt services (e.g. clen drinking wter, flood protection) for free. Dms re currently being decommissioned on rivers in severl Europen countries, such s the Duero in Spin or the Loire in Frnce. Dinric Arc countries should tke dvntge of the lessons lerned elsewhere nd identify which of their rivers it is wise to mintin unspoiled for future genertions nd dopt very stringent stndrds for the plnning, building nd opertion of dms. As Nelson Mndel sid in his speech in 2000 for the lunch of the World Commission on Dms report, dms re one of the bttlegrounds in the sustinble development ren. Our hope is tht this publiction contributes to the best possible decisions being mde in the context of such complex bttleground. Rivers re one of the most precious gifts of nture. As hydrobiologist I m concerned with fst nd uncoordinted hydropower development in Albni. It is essentil to preserve our existing res of high ecologicl vlues nd biodiversity. I hope the present publiction will stir up the responsible institutions nd decision mkers to think crefully bout lrgescle dms or ny other destructive forms of lnd use in Albni. Professor Aleko Miho, Fculty of Science, University of Tirn, Albni The Vjos River, Albni Gorn Šfrek WWF-Cnon 28

Unique hbitts of cler blue rivers of the Dinric Arc nd the Blkn region hrbour mny endemic species of fish, invertebrtes nd other orgnisms found nowhere else in the world. As such, these rivers re recognized s one of the most importnt hotspots of Europen freshwter biodiversity. Recent development, especilly in the form of lrge dms, hs drsticlly chnged their chrcter. Any further development should proceed with gret cre for their unique biodiversity s well s ecosystem services they provide to the people. Krešimir Žgnec, University of Zdr, Croti The Vjos River, Albni Gorn Šfrek WWF-Cnon 29

30 Mny rivers in Croti, Bosni nd Herzegovin, Montenegro nd Albni re still in ner nturl stge, providing welth of ecosystem services to people living long the shores, from fish production, to flood protection or scenic beuty. Hydropower development lwys mens reducing this flow of services nd should therefore be done with gretest cution. Irene Lucius, WWF Dnube-Crpthin Progrmme Wetlnds in the Neretv River delt, Croti Andrij Vrdoljk WWF-Cnon

PARTNER INSTITUTIONS I The Dinric Arc is n re in south-estern Europe covering pproximtely 100,000km² nd with more thn 6,000km of costline, which stretches from Trieste in Itly to Tirn in Albni. It includes prts of Sloveni, Croti, Bosni nd Herzegovin, Serbi, Montenegro nd Albni. II www.interntionlrivers.org/cmpigns/the-world-commission-on-dms IIIwww.worldbnk.org/ IVwww.iucn.org/

Rivers: lifelines of the Dinric Arc Conservtion of the most vluble rivers of South-Estern Europe 296 rivers nlysed length 13,278km 66 % of the totl river length nlysed is outstnding (8,739km) Totl bsin surfce of round 165,000km² Why we re here. To stop the degrdtion of the plnet s nturl enviroment nd to build future in which humns live in hrmony with nture. croti.pnd.org 1986. Pnd Symbol WWF World Wide Fund For Nture (Formerly World Wildlife Fund) "WWF" is WWF Registered Trdemrk