Protected areas of Albania explained

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 include: 11 national parks, 1 marine park, 718 nature monuments, 23 managed nature reserves, 11 protected landscapes, 4 World Heritage Sites,^[1] 4 Ramsar sites^[2] and other protected areas of various categories, that when combined, account for 21.36% of the territory.^[3] Furthermore, a biosphere reserve, 45 important plant areas and 16 important bird areas are found in the country.^{[4] [5]}

Meanwhile, the central government has proclaimed the Coastline and the Tirana Greenbelt as areas of national importance.^[6]

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.^[7]

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).^[8]

Strict nature reserves

(Cat. Ia) Strict nature reserves are limited areas of ecological significance, preserved and protected for scientific purposes, to safeguard the living world and all its cultural and natural values. Two such areas in the country have this designation: Gashi Valley and Rrajcë Strict Nature Reserve.

Name	Image	Designated	IUCN cat.	Area	Map
Gashi Valley			Ia	3000ha
Rrajcë Strict Nature Reserve			Ia	4700ha

National parks

(Cat. II) National parks are vast areas of land or water, typically not less than 1000 hectares in size, that possess exceptional scientific, ecological, and educational values and are kept away from strenuous human activities. These parks are protected and monitored to maintain the ecological balance of their ecosystems, to promote scientific research, and to provide visitors with spiritual and educational experiences, in compliance with environmental and cultural regulations. A total of 12 national parks, encompassing a surface area of 313950.77hectare, occupy 10.92% of the country's territory.^{[9] [10]}

Logo	Name	Image	Designated	IUCN cat.	Area^[11]	Map
	Butrint National Park		^[12]	II	8622.2ha
	Prespa National Park		^[13]	II	27613.05ha
	Divjakë-Karavasta National Park		^[14]	II	22389.08ha
	Llogara National Park		^[15]	II	1769.2ha
	Shebenik National Park		^[16]	II	34507.9ha
	Alps of Albania National Park		^[17]	II	82844.65ha
	Tomorr Mountain National Park		^[18]	II	27185.5ha
	Lurë-Dejë Mountain National Park		^[19]	II	19288.88ha
	Dajti Mountain National Park		^[20]	II	28561.85ha
	Fir of Hotovë-Dangëlli National Park		^[21]	II	36003.76ha
	Vjosa Wild River National Park		^[22]	II	12727ha
	Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park		^[23]	II	12437.7ha

Natural monuments

(Cat. III) Natural monuments typically consist of natural entities and habitats that cover a limited area of land, usually no more than 50 hectares. These areas are recognized for their significant scientific, ecological, cultural, historical, aesthetic, and religious values. They may include both living organisms, such as rare or endemic species of trees and plants, as well as non-living environmental features like unique geological formations created by wind, ice, or water erosion, such as: karst springs and lakes, glacial lakes, wetlands, and sources of mining or thermal activity. A total of 718 nature monuments have been designated (government decision no. 303, dated 10.05.2019).^[24]

Managed nature reserves

(Cat. IV) Managed nature reserves are protected areas of land or water that are of local and regional importance. These areas are maintained through proper management to preserve the species, habitats, and other unique natural phenomena, with the aim of enhancing their quality and utilizing them for recreational and entertainment purposes, as well as for studies, educational, and cultural activities. A total of 23 managed nature reserves, encompassing a surface area of 216024.68hectare, occupy 7.5% of the territory.^[25]

Name	Image	Designated	IUCN cat.	Area	Map
Fir of Kardhiq Nature Park			IV	4303.6ha
Fir of Sotirë Nature Park			IV	4927.67ha
Fir of Zhulat Nature Park			IV	936.2ha
Cangonj Nature Park			IV	250.3ha
Dardhë-Xhyrë Nature Park			IV	400.3ha
Gërmenj Nature Park			IV	1410ha
Karaburun Nature Reserve			IV	17490.7ha
Korab-Koritnik Nature Park			IV	53850ha
Kunë-Vain-Talë-Patok-Fushëkuqe-Ishëm Nature Park			IV	8092.3ha
Gjergjevica Lagoon Nature Reserve			IV	2966.3ha
Shala Lagoon Nature Park			IV	10619.35ha
Munellë Nature Park			IV	20760.05ha
Mali me Gropa-Bizë-Martanesh Nature Park			IV	26043.34ha
Lake Ulza Nature Park			IV	4205.15ha
Polis Nature Park			IV	45.1ha
Porto Palermo Nature Park			IV	1694.98ha^[26]
Shtamë Pass Nature Park			IV	6864.36ha
Lake Shkodër Nature Reserve			IV	24049.75ha
Stravaj and Sopot Nature Park			IV	1548.9ha
Blue Eye Nature Park			IV	293.3ha
Zagori Nature Park			IV	24607.63ha
Balloll Nature Park			IV	323.3ha
Bogovë Nature Park			IV	342.1ha

Protected landscapes

(Cat. V) Protected landscapes and seascapes are primarily managed for the preservation of landscape values and to provide recreational opportunities for relaxation and entertainment. This category includes areas with residential centers that allow activities like agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fishing, etc., both on land and in sea. The goal is to preserve the quality of landscapes and the harmonious interaction of human activity in them, and maintain the biological diversity they host. A total of 11 protected landscapes, encompassing a surface area of 84746.69hectare, occupy 2.94% of the territory.

Name	Image	Designated	IUCN cat.	Area	Map
Bjeshka e Oroshit Protected Landscape			V	4646.7ha
Fir of Drenovë-Sinicë Protected Landscape			V	2065.8ha
Guri i Nikës-Lenie-Valamarë Protected Landscape			V	5172.7ha
Qafë Bush-Kuturman Protected Landscape			V	4159.7ha
Rrushkull Protected Landscape			V	579.5ha
Bisht Kamëz Protected Landscape			V	491.5ha
Nikolicë Protected Landscape			V	510ha
Krastë-Verjon Protected Landscape			V	1469.24ha
Lake Ohri Protected Landscape			V	28000ha
Pishë Poro-Nartë Protected Landscape			V	15972.7ha
Buna River-Velipojë Protected Landscape			V	21678.85ha

See also

• Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve

Notes and References

1. Web site: UNESCO. Albania. whc.unesco.org. en.
2. Web site: Ramsar Convention. ALBANIA. ramsar.org. en. PDF.
3. Web site: WDPA - Designation Display . 2010-11-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110112212616/http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/wdbpa/country1.cfm?Country=ALB . 2011-01-12 .
4. Web site: Important Plant Areas of the south and east Mediterranean region. portals.iucn.org. 76. en.
5. Web site: BirdLife International. Albania. datazone.birdlife.org. en.
6. Web site: Baza Ligjore APR Tirana. 2021-02-20. en-GB.
7. Web site: FLETORJA ZYRTARE. 23 May 2017 . planifikimi.gov.al . PHP. 2021-04-13.
8. Web site: Zonat e Mbrojtura në Shqipëri . akzm.gov.al . 10 April 2023.
9. 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 .
10. Web site: Initial assessment of protected areas in Albania . iucn.org . 1–12 . en .
11. Web site: Kryeministria . Vendime të miratuara në mbledhjen e Këshillit të Ministrave, datë 26 Janar 2022 . 24 March 2023 . https://archive.today/20230324222730/https://kryeministria.al/newsroom/vendime-te-miratuara-ne-mbledhjen-e-keshillit-te-ministrave-date-26-janar-2022/ . 24 March 2023 . sq . 26 January 2022 . live.
12. Web site: Parku Kombëtar i Butrintit – Plani i Menaxhimit të Integruar (2020-2030) . kultura.gov.al . 23 September 2019.
13. News: Parku Kombëtar i Prespës pajiset me sinjalistikën vertikale . Agjencia Telegrafike Shqiptare . ata.gov.al . 5 December 2021.
14. Web site: Parku i Karavastasë: Një destinacion ndryshe . monitor.al . 28 January 2017.
15. Web site: Final Report on the Study on Landscape of the National Park Llogara . United Nations Development Program . 25 March 2020.
16. Web site: Brazhda . Fatmir . Parku Kombëtar Shebenik-Jabllanicë . albNatyra . 21 May 2008.
17. Web site: Vendime të miratuara në mbledhjen e Këshillit të Ministrave . kryeministria.al . 26 January 2022.
18. Web site: 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 . 16 July 2021.
19. Parmentier . Laurian . Integrative analysis reveals cryptic speciation linked to habitat differentiation within Albanian populations of the anomalous blues (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Polyommatus Latreille, 1804) . Comparative Cytogenetics . 15 November 2022 .
20. Web site: Decision no.715 dated 23.06.2009 amending Decision No.402 dated 21.6.2006 proclaiming National Park the Dajti Mountain natural ecosystem . FAOLEX . 23 June 2009.
21. Web site: Regulation No. 1631 proclaiming the natural ecosystem of Bredhi I Hotoves-Dangelli as national park . UNEP . 17 December 2008.
22. News: Katanich . Doloresz . 'Conserved forever': Albania's Vjosa officially declared Europe's first wild river national park . Euronews . 15 March 2023.
23. Web site: 10 years Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park . UNDP . 28 April 2020.
24. Web site: 40-vjetori i Monumenteve të Natyrës . inca-al.org . Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania . 4 May 2021.
25. Web site: Rrjeti i Zonave të Mbrojtura në Shqipëri . cbd.int . 1 January 2014.
26. Web site: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) . UNEP/MAP welcomes the announcement of a protected area in Porto-Palermo Bay in Albania . 5 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230905132000/https://www.unep.org/unepmap/news/press-release/unepmap-welcomes-announcement-protected-area-porto-palermo-bay-albania . 5 September 2023 . 2 September 2022 . live.