Review, assess and classification of habitats status and accompanied species in the ...

206 Pages·2014·28.49 MB·Albanian

Review, assess and classification of
habitats status and accompanied species in
the Transboundary Shkodra/Skadar Lake

Programme IPA CBC This project is funded by
Albania – Montenegro the European Union
This Project is implemented by:

Research Center for Rural Green Home Union Business of YLBER
Development – RCRD (Tirane) (Podgorica) Ulqin/Ulcinj (Ulqin) (Shkoder)
“Performing the Integrated
Environmental Management Plan at local level in the Shkodra/Skadar Lake
ETchoiss ysstutedmy i-s EcMonAd-uPcLtAeNd ”in the context of the project:
supported by EU in the Programme IPA CBC Albania –
MThoins tPernoejegcrto i cs oimntpelxetmented by:
Research Center for Rural Development – RCRD (Tirane)
Green Home (Podgorica)
Union Business of Ulqin/Ulcinj (Ulqin)
The studyY LteBaEmR: (Shkoder)
Prof. Marash Rakaj Islam Laçej
Bexhet Islamaj PhD Danilo Mrdak,
PhD Danka Caković,( S Dhakrokdora S Uavneivlejirćs ity), M arjan Erceg( Administration of Protected
Area – Shkoder), (Indipendent GIS Expert),
and (PoPdrgoof.r Sicual eUjnmivaenr sSiutyl)ç e
Jovana Janjusevic Prof. As. Jamarbër Malltezi
Coordinationand publication of thisstudywas conducted by
(RCRD), (Green Home), and (RCRD).
The content and the conclusion expressed in this publication do not necessarily
reflect those of EU DelegDaatnioinlos M(Trieradnaak a nd PModagroarsihc aR)a. kaj
Cover page photo from and
Copyright © RCRD, Green Home and “The Contracting Authority”
Contents
1. IMPORTANCE OF SHKODRA/SKADAR LAKE BASIN ................................................................ 6
1.1 Flora ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Rare and endemic plant species ..............................................................................................7
1.2.1. Endemic taxa .................................................................................................................. 7
1.2.2. Rare taxa ........................................................................................................................ 19
1.3. Fish .................................................................................................................................................... 11
1.4. Birds ................................................................................................................................................. 12
2. HABITATS ................................................................................................................................................. 14
2.1. Aquatic Habitats ....................................................................................................................... 14
3130 Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation
of the Isoeto-Nanojuncetea ................................................................................... 14
3140 Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation
of Chara spp. ................................................................................................................. 16
3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion and Hydrocharition
type vegetation ............................................................................................................ 17
2.2. Land Habitats ................................................................................................................................ 20
5310 Laurus nobilis thickets ............................................................................................ 20
62A0 East sub-Mediterranean dry grasslands
(Scorzoneretalia villosae) ...................................................................................... 21
91M0 Pannonian-Balkanic turkey oak –sessile oak forests .................................23
9250 Quercus trojana woods ...........................................................................................25
9260 Chestnut woods ........................................................................................................... 26
92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries .................................................................27
92D0 Southern riparian galleries and thickets (Nerio-Tamaricetea
and Securinegion tinctoriae) ................................................................................29
3. HABITATS AND SPECIES DETERMINATED IN THE FIELD SURVEY ...............................31
3.1 The methodology of field surveys ........................................................................................31
3.2 Sampling procedure ............................................................................................................... 31
3.2.1 Equipments used for field survey .........................................................................31
3.2.2 Vegetation survey within a transect ..................................................................32
4 REVIEW, ASSESS AND CLASSIFICATION OF HABITATS STATUS AND ACCOMPANIED
SPECIES IN THE TRANSBOUNDARY SHKODRA/SKADAR LAKE
3.3 Results of Survey ...................................................................................................................... 33
3.3.1 Results of survey (Albanian side) ....................................................................... 33
3.3.2 Habitat types and aquatic plant species and vegetation ...........................35
3.3.3 Habitat types and terrestrial plant species and vegetation .....................36
3.3.4 Fishes in Zogaj ........................................................................................................... 46
3.3.5 Fishes in Sterbeq ........................................................................................................ 48
3.3.6 Waterbirds (waterfowl) of Sterbeq ....................................................................49
3.4 Results (Montenegro side) ................................................................................................... 50
3.4.1 Transect 1, Zone J1 in Murići ............................................................................... 51
3.4.2 Transect 1, Zone J2 (100-50m from shore) ....................................................53
3.4.3 Transect 1, Zone J3 (50-0m from shore) ..........................................................54
3.4.4 Transect 1, Inland zone L1 (0 – 500 m from the shore line) ...................55
3.4.5 Transect 2, Zone J1 (500-100m from shore) ..................................................55
3.4.6 Transect 2, Zone J2 (100-50m from shore) ....................................................56
3.4.7 Transect 1, Zone J3 (50-0m from shore) ..........................................................57
3.5 Detail Floristic Findings ....................................................................................................... 58
4. LITERATURE ...........................................................................................................................................61
5. ANNEXES ..................................................................................................................................................63
ANNEX I - List of the plant of Shkodra/Skadar basin ...................................................63
ANNEX II - List of lagal protection, endemism and globally
threatened species .................................................................................................. 65
ANNEX III - List of fish species present in the Lake Shkodra/Skadar Basin...........66
List of maps
1-Distribution of Habitat 3130 in Shkodra/Skadar Lake area .........................................15
2-Distribution of Habitat 3140 in Shkodra/Skadar Lake area ......................................... 17
3-Distribution of Habitat 3150 in Shkodra/Skadar Lake basin ..................................... 18
4-Distribution of Habitat 5310 in Shkodra/Skadar Lake area ....................................... 21
5-Distribution of Habitat 62A0 in Shkodra/Skadar Lake area ....................................... 22
6-Distribution of Habitat 91M0 in Shkodra/Skadar Lake area ...................................... 24
7-Distribution of Habitat 9250 in Shkodra/Skadar Lake area ........................................ 25
8-Distribution of Habitat 9260 in Shkodra/Skadar Lake area ........................................ 27
9-Distribution of Habitat 92A0 in Shkodra/Skadar Lake area ........................................ 28
10-Distribution of Habitat 92D0 in Shkodra/Skadar Lake area ..................................... 29
11-General map of all habitats ..................................................................................................... 30
12-Transects position on Shkodra/Skadar Lake .................................................................. 32
13-Map of aquatic and terrestrial transects in Zogaj .......................................................... 40
14- Map of aquatic and terrestrial transects in Sterbeq ................................................. 41
REVIEW, ASSESS AND CLASSIFICATION OF HABITATS STATUS AND ACCOMPANIED 5
SPECIES IN THE TRANSBOUNDARY SHKODRA/SKADAR LAKE
List of tables

1- Sampling points (transects) on the Albanian part of lake: Sterbeq, Zogaj ........33
2- Habitats, associations and plant aquatic (macrophyte) species ............................35
3- Habitats, associations and terrestrial plant species ..................................................37
4- List of macrophytes (aquatic plants) sampled along transect (coordinates)
of the Zogaj in Shkodra Lake during summer fieldtrip (July 2013) ......................38
5- List of macrophytes (aquatic plants) sampled along transect (coordinates) of
the Sterbeq in Shkodra Lake during summer fieldtrip (July, 2013) .....................39
6- List of terrestrial plants sampled along transect (coordinates) of the
Zogaj in Shkodra Lake during summer fieldtrip (July, 2013) ...................................42
7- List of terrestrial plants sampled along transect (coordinates) of the Sterbeq
in Shkodra Lake during summer fieldtrip (July 2013) .............................................45
8- The fish species composition in transect point Zogaj I (Zogaj) ..............................46
9- The fish species composition in transect point Zogaj II-V (Zogaj) .........................47
10- Waterfowl species in Zogaj......................................................................................................47
11- The fish species composition in transect point Sterbeq I-II......................................48
12- The fish species composition in transect point Sterbeq III-V .................................49
13- Waterfowl species in Zogaj......................................................................................................49
14- Fish species found in J1 zone of transect 1 (Murići) ...................................................51
15- Bird species found in J1, J2, J3 and L1 zone of transect 1 (Murići) ........................53
16- Fish species found in J2 zone of transect 1 (Murići) ................................................... 53
17- Fish species found in J3 zone of transect 1 (Murići) ................................................... 54
18- Fish species found in J1 zone of transect 2 (Dodoši) ................................................... 56
19- Fish species found in J2 zone of transect 2 (Dodoši) ................................................... 57
20- Fish species found in J3 zone of transect 2 (Dodoši) ................................................... 57
List of pictures
1-Double-sided Luther-rake used during field trip to take macrophyte samples ...33
2-Transects with distinctive balloons (Zogaj, Lake Shkodra)............................................34
3-Lake shore in Zogaj ........................................................................................................................38
4-Submergent macrophytes in Zogaj (Valisneria spiralis and Potamogeton spp.) ..39
5-Wetmeadow and decidous schrub in Sterbeq.....................................................................44
6-Sterbeq – littoral and terrestrial habitats.............................................................................44
7-Lake and surrounding terrain on transect 1 – Murići......................................................51
8-Sampling of submerged vegetation.........................................................................................52
9-Lake and surrounding terrain on transect 2 – Dodoši.....................................................55
1.
IMPORTANCE OF
SHKODRA/SKADAR LAKE BASIN
The Shkodra/Skadar Lake Region represents one of the most important centers of
biodiversity for Western Balkan and SouthEast Europe. This region is a unique example
of well-preserved freshwater ecosystems with specific geomorphologic, hydrological,
geological, soil and climatic feature. This is why it is characterized by very rich
biodiversity (Radović et al., 2008). This region has high value for total biodiversity
(species-area relationship = 0.875) and Shkodra/Skadar Lake area is considered to be
a biogenetic reserve of European importance (Kaukelaar et al., 2006). Shkodra/Skadar
Lake has high importance as diversity center for several groups such are algae, fishes,
birds, amphibians and lizards.
1.1 Flora
There are 725 species of vascular plants reported for the area of Shkodra/Skadar
Lake and its surrounding(Hadžiablahović et al., 2001). This number represents 1/5thof
overall number of plant species that inhabit Montenegro. Shkodra/Skadar Lake
isparticulary important for the conservation of aquatic plants on the national level. With
164 aquatic plant species which belong to 66 genera and 44 families (in taxonomical
terms) the Shkodra/Skadar Lake is far ahead from other waterbodies in Montenegro
in this category (Talevska et al., 2009). The most interesting macrophytae of Shkodra/
Skadar Lake is waternut with wide distribution in Lake represented with particular
subspecies Trapa longicarpa ssp.scutariensis. The mere fact that this species is relict
and endemic for Shkodra/Skadar Lake underline the importance of Shkodra/Skadar
Lake in terms of preservation and protection. Some authors consider the Shkodra/
Skadar Lake as the most important habitat for this species (Janković, 1983). However,
species that are protected by national (Annex I) or international documents (Annex II)
are by far most important. Especially those species which are endemic and cannot be
found anywhere else than within the Shkodra/Skadar Lake protected area.
There are more than 50 different plant associations in the Shkodra/Skadar Lake
and surrounding area, which indicate enriched habitat diversity. The international
importance of the Shkodra/Skadar Lakeis based on presence of valuable diverse
habitats, especially the ones which are enlisted in the Habitat Directive and that could
REVIEW, ASSESS AND CLASSIFICATION OFHABITATS STATUS AND ACCOMPANIED 7
SPECIES IN THE TRANSBOUNDARY SHKODRA/SKADARLAKE
be important for future NATURA 2000 networks. Almost all the habitats belonging to
the Shkodra/Skadar Lake including water surfaces and its shores are potential habitats
for NATURA 2000 network.
High plant diversity in the Shkodra/Skadar Lake protected area could be explained
• Specific geographical position:
with following reasons:
the wider area of theShkodra/Skadar Lake has
geographical and phyto-geographical connection with mountain chains in Albania
and through them with mountain chains in Macedonia and in Greece. We can say that
the Shkodra/Skadar Lake area represents typical “crossroad” floristic features of the
• Historical reasons:
Balkans.
The Shkodra/Skadar Lake valley was an important reCfaurgpei nfours
soprieecniteasl.i sA, s Oas ctroynas ecqaurepninceif,o tlhiae,r eQ aureer caurse ntruomjaenrao,u sC arestlaicnte pal asnatt sivpae,c iLeas uirnu Ss hknoodbirlais/,
SFkicaudsa cra Lriackae, Pbaoltihu riuns fsopriensat- cehcroissytis. tems as well as in the shores such as:
Ramonda serbica, Trapa longicarpa ssp. scutariensis, Moltkia petraea.
Some important endemic/relict species include
• Geological formations:
there are different types of geological formations in this
area and different types of soils, whichnurture a large variety of plant species with
different ecological needs. Most dominant geological formations are limestone and
dolomite from Trias and Jurassic period but it is also easy to find fleece and volcanic
bedrock. Swampand clay soils are dominant near the shore, which allow for the
development of hygrophyte and mesophyte plants species. Thereare also red soilsin
the wider area. All these provide fine conditions for the development of calcifilic and
silicifilic plant species. Furthermore, we also note karstic processes which provide
• Favorable climatic conditions:
even moreecological variationin the area.
the warm climate allow for longer vegetation
period. The yearly average temperature is 13.9 0C and the lowest monthly average
temperature is about 4.2 0C (January) which are excellent thermal conditions for all
plant life forms.
1.2 Rare and endemic plant species
1.2.1. Endemic taxa
Most aquatic plants have a wide distribution range due to the water as a relaTtirvaeplay
slotanbglieca ernpvai ronmsceuntta arniedn tshiserefore there are few endemic taxa in the Shkodra/Skadar
Lake protected area. ThereQ iuse orncue se rnodbeumr ic plascnut tsapreiecniessis in the water, namely
ssp . Additionally, there is an endemic subspecies of oak that
inhabits the coastal area ( ssp ), while there are 10 more
endemic taxa which inhabit the land part ofthe “Shkodra/Skadar Lake” protected
area.
8 REVIEW, ASSESS AND CLASSIFICATION OF HABITATS STATUS AND ACCOMPANIED
SPECIES IN THE TRANSBOUNDARY SHKODRA/SKADAR LAKE
Trapa longicarpa ssp. scutariensis
Kasoranje
(also known as”kasoranje“)
is widely spread species in Shkodra/SkadarLake waters and together with
white and yellow water lily reprKeasseonrta gnrjee at majority of Lake floating vegetation. This
species has great share in metabolic of mater and in energy flow of the whole Shkodra/
Skadar Lake water ecosystem. is characterized with highT rleavpeal loofn goircgaarnpiac
production and it has positive role in biology of numerous invertebrate, fish, bird,
amphibian and reptile species. It is present as endemic sub-species
ssp. scutariensis with narrow living areal in Montenegrin coastal zone and in Shkodra/
Kasoranje
SkadarLake valley (Janković, 1983).
is sensitive on pollution and therefore therkea istosr aanrejea l is decreasing in
Europe. This species is listed in Annex I of the Bern Convention and therefore enjoys1 a)
status of internationally protected species. In Montenegro is protected too .
However, considering the huge population number in the lake and the fact that there is
no areal decreasing documented yet we are of opinion that this species should not be
considered as endangered in Montenegro.
Quercus robur ssp scutariensis
Shkodra/Skadar oakis a thermophile Mediterranean sub-specieFsr oafx itnhues c oamngmuostni fooalika.
In MontenPeegrriop liot ccao uglrda becea found in norrotbhuerr n coassctuatl alarinedn saisr ea of Shkodra/SkadarLake
(Gostilj village). In thearea this species grows together with
and with . Quercus ssp is protected be domestic
legislation.
In the past this tree was an important constituent of flooded forests but nowadays
these forests are degraded and we can find this species as individual trees in the Lake’s
surrounding area. Considering present population number of this species as well as
factors that are representing threats to biodiversity (urbanization, invasive species,
land pollution, etc.) we consider this species as an endangered one. According to IUCN
criteria (Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, 2013) we can
mark this species with VU (vulnerable) B2a (iii, iv, v) conservation status.
Ramonda serbica
(local name – “ramonda”)
This species is endemic for the Balkan area it is the only poikilohidric species (species
that has ability to lose all water from the body and when the wartearm ios nadvaailable again to
absorb it and to continue with growth). The wider Shkodra/Skadar Lake area ismost
southeastern border of this species areal. In botanical terms representsan
extremely interesting subject for vraarmioouns drae searches because of its specific physiology,
endemism and relict genesis. Such combination of characteristics is very rare in the
world. Accroarmdionngd ato research on ecology this species dominantly inhabits
northern slopes of river valleys and gorges that have North-South direction. But the
habitat of in the village of Muriq/Murići (southern coastal area of theLake)
is quite different from the characteristic ones located in the valleys or gorges. Here
1. Conservation Status according to Montenegrin Act on Protection of Rare, Endangered and Threatened
Animal and Plant Species, Official Gazette of SR Montenegro, No. 26/06, Podgorica 2006.
REVIEW, ASSESS AND CLASSIFICATION OF HABITATS STATUS AND ACCOMPANIED 9
SPECIES IN THE TRANSBOUNDARY SHKODRA/SKADAR LAKE
ramonda
grows in characteristic microhabitats such are different cracks in limestone
with small amount of black soil on bottom. The species is protected by Montenegrin
legislation but considering the relatively low local population and little if any negative
impact of anthropogenic factors we considerthere are no threats for it.
locus clasicus
Cymbalaria ebelii Minuartia mesogitana velenovskyi.
Shkodra/SkadarLake area is for additional two endemic taxa:
and subsp.
Cymbalaria ebelii is frequent in limestone cracks and among old stony walls and has
Minuartia mesogitana subsp. velenovskyi
numerous sub-populations in the area.
has been reported only in one location
within the Shkodra/Skadar Lake area whereas this data is very old and we haven’t
confirmed its presence in this research. It is not sure whether this species is constituent
of the flora of the area, or whether its habitat is already destroyed by human activities.
Cymbalaria ebelii Minuartia mesogitana
This species was reported for coastal zone of the Lake near Virpazar (Rohlena, 1942).
is not endangered while for subsp.
velenovskyi if we take in consideration only written data we can give her CE (Critically
Endangered) status according to criteria D.
Allium guttatum dalmaticum, Dianthus
ciliaIntu sl and padrat lmofa tiNcuPs , SEkdardaaiar ntLhaukse t etnhueirfoel iuasr,e F rsiotimlaer iaf omlleoswsainnegn seins demic gsrpaecciileiss,
cOhnaorsamctae srtisetlliuc lafotar, SBtaalckhayns mPeennitnifsoulilaa,: Tanacetum cinerarisifuoblisupm.
subsp. subsp.
etc. No one of them is
endangered or protected by domestic legislation.
1.2.2. Rare taxa
Marsilea quadrifolia
This species inhabits temporary flooded wetland area. Thisspecies was reportedin
several locations in NP Skadar Lake:Shkodra/SkadarLake , Plavnica, Gostilje (Rohlena,
1942, Černjavski et al 1949, Lakušić 1983). In the last 30 years this plant is not
reporded for this area and according to this fact this species have RE (Regional Extinct)
IUCN category. Itcould be possible that this plant may still exist as some smaller and
still undiscovered population (Petrović et. all, 2008). Causes of extinction, according
to the IUCN standard classification are:Habitat loss (primarily human induced):
1.3. Development (1.3.2. Human settlement, 1.3.3.Tourism).Species is listed at Bern
Convention, Emerald Network Program and Habitat Directive (Annex IIb,IVb) and it is
also protected by national legislation.
Utricularis vulgaris
Utricularis vulgaris
(local name – ”mjehurača“)
is a rare carnivore plants in MNE flora. This species was recorded
for Shkodra/SkadarLake for the first time in 1967. LateraPftoetra tmhiest sepaecies was discovered
on numerous locations in inshore swamp area between Vranjina aPnhdr Vagirmpaitzeatre.a In the
areathis species lives in submerged plant association of while during lowest
water level in summer period it could also be found emerged among plant
10 REVIEW, ASSESS AND CLASSIFICATION OF HABITATS STATUS AND ACCOMPANIED
SPECIES IN THE TRANSBOUNDARY SHKODRA/SKADAR LAKE
Naias marina, Trapa natans, Myriophyllum verticillatum, M. spicatum, Butomus
ausmsboeclilaattiouns. Accompanied plant species that grows together with mjehurača are: Naias
minor,
etc. This species is protected by national legislation.
Najas flexilis

(local name – ”podvodnica“)
Potamion eurosibiricum Podvodnica
This species is part of euro-siberian/north –american flora with northern dispersal.
It is part of the associationN. ajas minor is Ntaipjaicsa ml aarqiunaatic
therophytae that grows on humus and/or sandy sub-hydric bottom of Sakdar Lake
Najas flexilis
together with other two species from the same genus: and .
is on annex 1 of Bern Convention which points to the fact that this species
is rare and endangered in Europe. It is protected by national legislation. Considering
facts that we don’t know data about population size as well as on population trends
since first record (Lakušić, Pavlović, 1973), we are not in position to give any estimation
Potamogeton trichoides
about its threat level in the area.
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae
Other rare hydrophytae of Shkodra/Skadar Lake are:
(Gostilje locality)and (Pančeva oka, Crni žar localities). We
donot have data about the population number nor on the population trends of these
two species so we could not provide any estimation on their thread level. Those two
species are not protected on international or national level.
In the surrounding habitats there are 24 species that are protected by national
legislation but no one of those species are in group of extremely rare species in MNE
or in group of species with small population number. Three of them are suggested
for protection and they have already determined IUCN conservation status (Petrović,
Medicago carstiensis
Stešević, 2010). In folowing pragaraphs those species are described.
was initially detected on Sutorman hill in 2004 (Petrović,
2004) and later it was found in the surrounding area of the Shkodra/Skadar Lake
(Hadžiablahović, 2004). It grows on the edges of thermophile forests and shrubs. Their
sub-populations are low in number and they are extremely sensitive on anthropogenic
pressure. During the last years, this species was absent from several localities where
it was initially reported,which suggests a decreasing population trend. This species
has EN (Endangered) IUCN status in concordance with B1ab(iv, v) and C1 criteria
on national level. Taking in consideration the whole region and the possibility of this
Micromeria cristata
species introduction from other areas, this species has VU (Vulnerable) IUCN status.
as a species is mostly related to Balkan Peninsulabut it is
also detected in Anatolia and in Iran. This species in Montengro is found in only one
lMoiccarloitmy,e vriiall ajuglei aSneao ca, and this is most wjuelisatneran known locality for this species areal.
This population has about 50 adult plants. This species grows on same habitats as
and it look similar as species. Therefore it was hard to detect
cristata species and we doubt that it is far more numerious in the region.
This species has CR (Critically Endangered) national status according to D1
criteriaof IUCN. Taking in consideration whole region and according to possibility of
species introduction from other localities this species has EN (Endangered) national
IUCN status.