THE STATUS OF THE HABITATS OF EUROPEAN CONSERVATION INTEREST ALONG THE ADRIATIC COAST OF ALBANIA Ferdinand Bego1, Alfred Mullaj2, Lefter Kashta2, Albana Zotaj3 1 University of Tirana, Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS), Tirana, Albania
[email protected] 2 University of Tirana, FNS, Research Center for Flora and Fauna. Tirana, Albania 3 National Planning Agency, Albania.
Abstract This paper provides an assessment on the current status of the habitats of European Conservation Interest along the Adriatic coast of Albania, both in terms of habitat size and quality. Through remote sensing and GIS changes in size and habitat composition and dynamics of coastal wetlands along Adriatic coast are assessed and reasons of such changes are discussed. Special attention is paid to priority habitats of EU Habitats Directive (43/92 CEE) occurring along the Adriatic coast, shown with an asterisk (*). The following 13 types of habitats are assessed: 1130 Estuaries; 1150 *Coastal lagoons; 1210 Annual vegetation of drift lines; 1410 Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi); 1420 Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs (Sarcocornetea fruticosi); 1510 *Mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia); 2110 Embryonic shifting dunes; 2120 Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (‘white dunes’); 2190 Humid dune slacks dominated by Erianthus ravennae and Schoenus nigricans; 2250 * Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp.; 2270 * Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea and/or Pinus pinaster; 91F0 Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris); 92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries. Each habitat type has been assessed based on naturalness degree, distribution pattern, and threatening factors. Key words: habitats, status, threats, Adriatic coast, Albania.
1. Introduction The Albanian coastal zone, especially the lowland Adriatic Coast situated between Buna river Delta in the North and Vlora bay in the south, holds a number of habitats of European conservation interest (Habitat Directive 43/92). A number of wetland sites are along the Adriatic Coast are recognized as Important Birds Areas (Bego et al, 1998; Bino et al, 1996; Bino, 1998; Casale & Bino, 2000; Crockford & Sutherland, 1991; Hagemeijer et al, 1993; Kayser et al, 1997; Zekhuist & Tempelman, 1998), and identified as Specially Protected Areas under Barcelona Convention (Karavasta, Narta, Kune-Vaine, Patok, Vilun-Velipoje, Orikum, and Lalzi Bay). One site, Karavasta lagoon, is already designated as Ramsar Site, while other sites such as Narta lagoon is a potential Ramsar Site (Casale & Bino, 2000). Coastal wetlands provide breeding and feeding ground for Otter (Lutra lutra), golden chackal (Canis aureus), both listed in the national red list (Misja, 2006; Bego et al, 2011). At the same time, this section of the Adriatic coast of Albania is characterized as very dynamic, with intensive accumulation, erosion and subsidence segments of the coastline (Pano et al, 2012). Apart from its natural evolution, the Adriatic coast of Albania during the last 60 years has been under an increasing pressure from a number of human activities, such as agriculture (reclamation work, water reservoirs, and drainage and irrigations schemes), urbanization, energy (hydropower dams), tourism, industry, and construction. Consequently, a good part of wetland habitats have permanently lost, modified, altered and turned into man-made or artificial habitats. Cumulative effects of such threatening factors are putting at risk a number of habitats and coastal wetland sites, whose ecological integrity has been significantly affected. Furthermore, climate change scenarios and sea level rise predict that coastal habitats of the lowland Adriatic coast will be significantly impacted (Mullaj et al, 2012). 1
The Coastal Vegetation of Albania has been well studied in the last two decades (Mullaj, 1990a, 1990 b, 1998, 2000; Mullaj and Ruci, 1995). But this presentation provides an assessment of the existing conditions of the habitats of European Conservation Interest located along the lowland Adriatic coast of Albania, identifying their naturalness degree, threatening factors, and based on that proposes measures for their conservation and management. 2. Study area and Methods The whole Adriatic coast of Albania from Buna river in the north to Orikumi lagoon (Vlora bay) in the south has been investigated in terms of presence, status, and distribution of habitats of European Conservation interest occurring inside the study area (European Commission, 2007; Council Directive 92/43 EEC). Main method used was that of rilevation, which consists of a flora and fauna inventory, associated with qualitative and quantitative indices and parameters (Abundance-Dominance), sociability and ecological data (topography, soil, and climate), physiognomy, and land use. During March, 2009-November, 2011 a number of rilevations have been conducted along the whole section of Adriatic coast, being more focused on the following sites: Velipojë, Vilun, Shëngjin (Kune-Vaine), Patok, Lalzi bay, Spille, Karavasta, Semani, Vjosa, Narta and Orikumi (see Figure 1 and Table 2). Due to this field investigation a good picture on existing conditions of the natural habitats in the Adriatic section of the Albania’s coast has been obtained. Identified habitats have been classified based on distribution and naturalness degrees, and each habitat was given a code according to Natura 2000 Habitat classification, which is based on Palearktik Habitat Classification (Council Directive 43/92 CEE; European Commission, 2007). With asteriscs (*) are marked priority habitats according to the Habitat Directive. Altogether, thirteen habitat types of European Conservation Interest have been identified, of which four are priority habitats for Europe (Table.1) Table 1. Habitats of European Conservation Interest included in the survey Habitat Code Habitat name "Natura 2000" 1130 Estuaries 1150 * Coastal lagoons 1210 Annual vegetation of drift lines 1410 Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) 1420 Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs (Sarcocornetea fruticosi) 1510 * Mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia) 2110 Embryonic shifting dunes 2120 Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (‘white dunes’) 2190 Humid dune slacks (dominated by Erianthus ravennae and Schoenus nigricans) 2250 * Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp 2270 * Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea and/or Pinus pinaster 91F0 Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris) 92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries Each habitat type has been assessed based on the following criteria: naturalness degree, distribution, and threatening factors. 2
Naturalness degree: Assessment of naturalness is made based on the following five degrees: 1= Natural; 2 = Semi natural; 3 = Moderate; 4 = Altered, and 5 = Artificial Distribution: Assessment of habitat distribution is made based on the following three categories: W = Widespread and continuous distribution; L = Limited distribution (only in one part/sector of the study area); F = Fragmented, discontinuous, in patches isolated from each other. Threatening factors: Threatening factors are classified as following: E = Erosion; T = Tourism; U = Urbanization; I = Industrial activity; O = others (i.e. fires, illegal cutting, salt extraction (Salinas), drainage) Table 2. Location of Sampling/Rilevation stations Nr. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29.
Geographical coordinates N E 41°51'1.71" 19°22'25.46" 41°52'3.27" 19°27'3.08" 41°45'34.27" 19°34'38.36" 41°44'50.82" 19°34'18.83" 41°43'20.14" 19°35'21.78" 41°40'4.61" 19°34'32.78" 41°38'5.01" 19°35'16.14" 41°36'5.51" 19°35'6.10" 41°34'31.47" 19°33'24.05" 41°28'3.87" 19°29'59.63" 41°26'7.60" 19°27'30.31" 41° 7'38.48" 19°26'56.63" 41° 5'43.99" 19°27'29.20" 41° 4'44.30" 19°27'33.79" 41° 2'20.94" 19°26'39.35" 40°59'29.51" 19°28'10.72" 40°59'39.97" 19°29'18.30" 40°58'1.15" 19°28'44.74" 40°57'16.69" 19°28'17.57" 40°56'23.34" 19°28'7.65" 40°49'23.32" 19°21'52.64" 40°48'26.48" 19°22'42.31" 40°46'31.25" 19°22'27.70" 40°45'33.14" 19°22'12.69" 40°42'50.56" 19°22'13.22" 40°38'40.18" 19°18'59.83" 40°33'51.41" 19°22'42.58" 40°33'34.28" 19°26'5.51" 40°19'19.21" 19°27'14.31"
Site Buna river delta Viluni Kune Drini river estuary (Lezha) Vilun Mati river delta Patoku lagoon Godulla Ishmi river estuary Lalzi bay (Hamallaj) Erzeni river estuary Beach of General Spille beach Spille Pine Forest Shkumbini river estuary Divjakë-Emisari i Tërbufit Divjaka Nature Reserve Divjaka Pine Forest Karavasta – Channel I Karavasta-Central section Semani river estuary Semani sand dunes-nature monument Lagoon of Gjemise Semani beach Pishe Poro Fier Vjosa river delta Pishe Poro Vlore Narta lagoon (Salinas) Orikumi lagoon
Figure 1 indicates the stations where survey or rilevations have been conducted to assess the current status and distribution of the habitats of European Conservation interest along the Adriatic coast of Albania. The study area has been divided in four sections: 1. Section “Buna Delta-Lalzi bay”; 2. Section “Lalzi bay – Shkumbini river”; 3. Section “Shkumbini River-Vjosa river delta”; 4. Section “Vjosa River Delta-Orikumi lagoon”. Available aerial photographs have been used to have a better coverage of the sites and habitat types along the coast.
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Figure 1. Location of the sampling/surveyed stations. Numbers correspond to sites number in the Table 2.
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3. Results and Discussions 1130 Estuaries Estuarine habitats are widely distributed along the study area. A number of rivers are discharged into the Adriatic Sea (Buna, Drini, Mati, Ishmi, Erzeni, Shkumbini, Semani and Vjosa). Buna, Drini and Vjosa rivers create the main estuarine habitats, followed by Semani, Mati and Shkumbini rivers (Table 3). River deltas and estuarine habitats are characterized by the presence of freshwater vegetation in various stages of succession or degradation. Most characteristic plants are Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, Carex spp., Scirpus lacustris, and Cyperus longus. Hydropower dams constructed in upper parts of watersheds, such as Drini, and Mati river watersheds have resulted in intensive erosion of river deltas respectively in Buna, Drini and Mati rivers. Estuaries of Ishmi and Erzeni rivers, likewise Buna, Drini (Lezha) and Mati rivers are also under degradation, due to negative sediment balance resulting from gravel extraction and dams constructed upstream of their watershed. Vjosa, Semani and Shkumbini rivers are progressively increasing their estuaries, and natural successions are taking place along the newly created estuarine habitats. However, the new hydropower dams already planned to be constructed along Vjosa, Devolli, Osumi and Shkumbini will have the same impacts into the estuarine and other coastal habitats as those already happened with rivers already developed for hydropower, if no measures to release sediments are implemented during the construction of the new hydropower dams. This type of habitat is almost in natural conditions, but threatened mainly from coastal erosion due to construction of hydropower dams inland. Industrial and urban pollution has become another threat to estuarine habitats all over the coast. 1150 *Coastal lagoons This type of habitat is represented by a series of small and big lagoons, which in order from north to south are: Viluni, Kune –Vaini, Patoku, Godulla, Bishtaraka (Hamalle), Karavasta, Gjemise, Narta and Orikumi. Most of the lagoons are of brackish water regime during rainy season, while during dry summer time their salinity increases. Two main vegetation types of hidrophyte and helophyte plant communities are characteristic of lagoon systems: (i) submerged rooted vegetation or grasses of Zostera noltii, Ruppia cirhosa, Potamogeton pectinatus, and (ii) Freshwater vegetation of Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, Carex spp., Scirpus lacustris, and Cyperus longus. Vegetation of lagoon macrophytes is dominated by fanerogames Zostera noltii and Ruppia cirhosa whose coverage and abundance is an indication of good ecological conditions in most of the lagoons. However, some parts of the lagoons that ore of very shallow waters during dry summer season pass in anoxic conditions and are covered by algae blooms. The most important lagoons along the Adriatic coast of Albania are Karavasta and Narta. Karavasta lagoon is the first designated Ramsar Site of Albania, while Narta is a potential Ramsar Site. Karavasta is the only breeding site of Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) in Albania’s coast (Crivelli, 1986), while Narta lagoon, especially its Salinas developed in the north part of the lagoon is the most important site for breeding water birds (waders) along the coast (Zekhuist & Tempelman,1998). Although all the coastal lagoons along the Albania’s Adriatic coast are natural by their origin, all of them have been impacted and modified by human interventions over the last 60 years. Reclamation and drainage work from Agriculture sector, salt production for Industry (as it is the case of Narta lagoon, where 1/3 of the lagoon has altered into Salinas), and management interventions for fishery have modified and altered their natural status. Some of these threats are persistent nowadays, while some others are recent threats, such as converting coastal lagoons into construction areas for Hotels, Bars and Restaurants. Coast line dynamics and erosion is also another threat to some of the lagoons, such as Kune-Vaine, Bishtaraka (Lalzi bay), and lagoon of Gjemise(Semani). The latter has lost up to 50% of its former size due to intensive coastal erosion.
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Table 3. Status, distribution and threats to habitats of European conservation interest along the Adriatic coast of Albania
E; I T; E; U T; E; U U; I; O
1 1 1
L F W; F
E; I T; E; U U; O
1 1-2 1 1
W W W W
1
W; F
U; O
1
L; F
O
1
1
L; F
O
1
L; F
O
1 1
W; F L, F
T; E; U T; E; U
1 1
W; F L, F
1
F
T; E; U
1
* Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp * Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea and/or Pinus pinaster Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris) Salix alba and Populus alba galleries
2-5
W; F
2
L
T; E; U; O E; U; O
2-4
L; F
E; U
Threats
W W F W; F
2-4 1 1
L F W; F
O T; E; U U; O
L; F
E; I O T; E; U T; E; U; O O
1
W; F
O
1
L; F
O
1
L; F
O
T; E; U T; E; U
1 1
W L; F
T; E; U T; E; U
1 1
L L
T; E; U T; E; U
F
T; E; U
1
F
T; E; U
1
L
T; E; U
2 2-5
L; F W; F
T; E;U T; E; U
2 2-5
L; F W
2 2-5
L W; F
2-3
L; F
E; U; O
2-3
L; F
T; E; U T; E; U; O E; U; O
2-3
L; F
T; E;U T; E;U; O E; U; O
2
L; F
E; O
2
L; F
E; O
2
L; F
U; O
Threats
Distribution
1-2 1-2 1 1
6
Threats
92A0
Distribution
91F0
Estuaries * Coastal lagoons Annual vegetation of drift lines Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs (Sarcocornetea fruticosi) * Mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia) Embryonic shifting dunes Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (‘white dunes’) Humid dune slacks (dominated by Erianthus ravennae and Schoenus nigricans)
Habitat type
Vjosa river DeltaOrikumi lagoon Naturalness degree
2250 2270
Distribution
2190
Naturalness degree
2110 2120
Threats
1510
Shkumbini RiverVjosa river Delta
Distribution
1420
Lalzi bayShkumbini river Naturalness degree
1130 1150 1210 1410
Naturalness degree
Habitat Code "Natura 2000"
Buna river DeltaLalzi bay
1210 - Annual vegetation of drift lines This type of vegetation has a fragmented distribution along most of the Adriatic coast, except form the coastal section between Shkumbini and Vjosa, where it has widespread and almost continuous distribution along the coastline. Annual vegetation of drift lines is interrupted or fragmented by the Renci Mountain, Rodoni cape, Bishti i Palles, Lagji cape, litoral hills west of Narta lagoon and rocky coast of Vlora bay. In costal sections prone of intensive erosion, this type of habitat is absent. Most characteristic plant species are Cakile maritima, Xanthium
strumarium, Salsola kali, Atriplex hastata, Inula crithmoides, Euphorbia peplis, Elymus farctus, Euphorbia paralias, Eryngium maritimum (Mullaj, 1990, 1998, 2000). In general, this habitat is of natural origin, and in most of its distribution range is fragmented. Nowadays it is threatened by recreational activities, tourism and in some sections by coastal erosion. 1410 - Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) This habitat is characteristic of lowland coastal marshland influenced by the intrusion of the sea waters. Most characteristic plant species are: Juncus maritimus, J. acutus, Carex extensa, Aster tripolium, Plantago crassifolia, Blackstonia perfoliata, Centaurium tenuiflorum, Orchis coriophora, Aeluropus littoralis, Juncus gerardii, Puccinellia festuciformis, Artemisia coerulescens (Mullaj, 1990, 1998, 2000). The habitat is in natural conditions, widespread along the lowland coast but highly fragmented. Part of it has been lost over the past 60 years due to reclamation work. It is nowadays threatened by industrial and construction activities. In some parts of the coast urban and industrial wastes are deposited in the sites covered by this habitat type. 1420 Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs (Sarcocornetea fruticosi) The habitat is widespread along the lowland coastal zone of Adriatic, but discontinuous and fragmented. It is a typical salt marsh vegetation, composed of perennial plants and shrubs of a wide distribution range (Mediterranean and Atlantic). The most characteristic plants are: Salicornia fruticosa, Limonium vulgare, Halimione portulacoides, Inula crithmoides, Suaeda maritima (Mullaj, 1990, 1998, 2000). A good part of this habitat has been lost in the past due to reclamation work, but part of it is being restored as a result of collapse of irrigation and drainage schemes along the lowland coastal zone. It is partly used for grazing and nowadays, this habitat is threatened by tourism and industrial activity. 1510 * Mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia) This type of wetland habitat is characterized by a poor plant community adapted to high level of salinity. Most characteristic species are: Limonium vulgare, Juncus acutus, Arthrocnemum fruticosum, Phragmites australis, Elymus pycnanthus, Suaeda maritima, Salicornia europaea (Mullaj, 2000). In the whole Adriatic coast this habitat type is of limited distribution and highly fragmented. Most typical it is represented in proximity of Viluni lagoon, and in Godulla, south of Patoku lagoon. Likewise, a good part of this habitat has been lost in the past due to reclamation work, but part of it is being restored. Partly used for grazing, nowadays, this habitat is threatened by tourism and industrial activity. 2110 Embryonic shifting dunes Embryonic shifting dunes are widespread but fragmented by rocky sections and eroded sections of the Adriatic coast. This habitat is almost continuous and well preserved along the coastal section from Spille beach to Pishe Poro (Vlore), while in other sections it is discontinued and fragmented. Most characteristic plant species are: Euphorbia paralias, Elymus farctus,
Echinophora spinosa, Eryngium maritimum, Medicago marina, Pancratium maritimum, which represent a pioneer plant community of low and shifting dunes (Mullaj, 2000). 7
Main threats to embryonic shifting dunes are: Coastal erosion, Tourism and Recreation and Urbanization of the coastal zone. 2120 Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (‘white dunes’) White dunes or dunes with dominance of Ammophila arenaria, are scattered along the lowland Adriatic coastline, and highly fragmented. The best examples of this type of dunes are found in the coastal section between Spille and Pishe Poro (Vlore), although fragments of white dunes can be found in other sections of the coast such as north Mati river delta, Hamalle-Rrotull. The height of the dunes may reach up to 5-6 m, as it is the case of dunes south of Vjosa, west of Pishe Poro (Vlore). Likewise embryonic shifting dunes, main threats to white dunes are: Tourism, Recreation, Erosion, and Urbanization. 2190 Humid dune slacks (dominated by Erianthus ravennae and Schoenus nigricans)
This habitat consists of halophyte plant community on sandy soils, easily penetrated by rainy waters, floods or tide. Most characteristic plant species are: Erianthus ravennae, Schoenus nigricans, Imperata cylindrica, Juncus littoralis, Scirpus holoschoenus, Plantago crassifolia (Mullaj, 2000). The habitat has a highly fragmented distribution throughout the
study area and is found in depressions behind or among sand dunes, always in patches or narrow stripes. It is threatened by coastal erosion, tourism and recreation, including urbanization. 2250 *Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp This type of habitat represents an intermediate stage of sand dune vegetation evolution towards plant association of Quercetea ilicis dominated by Mediterranean Pines. It is developed on semistabilized sand dunes relatively rich in organic material coming from decay of in-situ vegetative material and that brought here from winds. It is considered as primary machia vegetation adopted on sand dunes to protect the coastline from erosion. The habitat is distributed in the form of narrow strip parallel to Mediterranean Pine forest belt, wherever the latter is present. It is absent in the coastal section from Buna to Rodoni cape, due to intensive coastal erosion taking place in here over the last few decades. Most characteristic plant species: Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. Macrocarpa, Euphorbia paralias, Elymus farctus, Lagurus ovata, Eryngium maritimum, Pancratium maritimum, Scirpus holoschoenus, Teucrium polium, Cistus salvifolius, C. incanus (Mullaj, 1990, 1998, 2000). In Hamallaj, where the pine forest has been cut in early ‘90s, forest is nowadays under natural regeneration, and this habitat has a special feature, becoming a shrubshape monocenosis of Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. macrocarpa. This type of habitat is threatened by tourism development, illegal cutting and coastal erosion in some sections. Urbanization in some sections of the coast is another recent threat. 2270 - * Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea and/or Pinus pinaster
Confined with dune vegetation of Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa, a narrow belt of Mediterranean pine plantations dominated with Pinus pinaster, Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinea is found from Velipoja in the north to Pishe-Poro Vlore, in the south. These pile forests are cultivated some 50 years ago to stabilize sand dune and to protect agriculture land behind the dunes. These forests are in some sections very old (more than hundred years old) and although artificially created through plantations, they have become nowadays an almost naturalized forest, as it is the case of Divjaka pine forest (Mullaj, 1990b). In general, they are considered as semi natural or artifical (naturalness degree between 2 and 5). Mediterranean pine forests along the Adriatic coast of Albania coast are widespread, in the shape of narrow discontinued belt that is fragmented in many pieces. In 8
some sections of very intensive coastal erosion, such as in Kune, Vaine, and Semani beach, some considerable parts of Mediterranean Pine forests have been destroyed and taken by the sea. Apart from coastal erosion, this habitat is threatened from illegal and uncontrolled urbanization, tourism, and industrial developments along the coast. In some sections, such as Pishe Poro (Fier) and Pishe Poro (Vlore), fires and illegal cuttings are becoming a serious threat. 91F0 Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris) It is a typical riparian habitat along the downstream of rivers discharging into the Adriatic Sea, such as Buna, Drini (Lezha), Mati, Erzeni, Shkumbini, Semani and Vjosa). This type of forest is characterized by a higher tolerance to soil humidity than galleries of Populus alba and Salix alba. As already anticipated, this type of habitat is very limited and highly fragmented along the Adriatic coast, and is found along the main rivers. Some parts of the riparian habitats have been lost during the last 60 years due to intensive coastal erosion. This is the case of riparian habitats of Buna and Drini (Lezha) river deltas, which have been subject of intensive coastal erosion caused as result of negative balance of sediments load from Drini river, due to construction of a series of hydropower dams that trap most of the sediments produced in the Drini river watershed (Pano et al, 2012). This habitat is in general in semi natural conditions, and in some parts moderately modified by human intervention. Its distribution is limited and fragmented. It is threatened by coastal erosion (Buna, Drini (Lezha), Erzeni), urbanization and illegal cutting. 92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries It is of natural origin, but very fragmented, in small patches along the downstream section of the rivers. This habitat is characterized by the presence of wood species adapted to flood plains, subject of temporary inundations that may last for several weeks, such as Populus alba, Populus nigra, Fraxinus angustifolia, Ulmus minor, Quercus robur, Salix alba, Salix spp., Alnus glutinosa. Likewise the mixed riparian forest, the habitat is threatened by coastal erosion, tourism, industrial activities and illegal cuttings. 4. Conclusion and Recommendations Adriatic coast of Albania holds a number of habitats of European conservation interest (13 habitat types), of which four are priority habitats for Europe. Most of these habitats are still in good ecological conditions and provide important ecological, economical and social services. Most important threats to coastal habitats are linked with human activities either directly in the coast or deep inland in watersheds of rivers discharging water, sediments and nutrients into the sea. Hydropower dams built along the Drini and Mati rivers have resulted in significant impacts on the habitats along the coast, and therefore lessons learned should be used to better design and construct hydropower dams along other rivers such as Devolli, Osumi, Vjosa and Shkumbini, ensuring that sediments will be released and discharged into the sea. Tourism and urbanization development should be carefully planned and implemented, so that to minimize the impacts on habitats of European conservation interest. Control and administration of the coastal zone should ensure the safeguard and maintenance of ecological integrity of the coastal habitats and sites of national and European conservation concern. Set backline along the coastal zone should be designed and designated taking into consideration the Integrated Coastal Zone Management protocol of the EU. Appropriate Assessment procedure should be part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process so as to avoid that development projects along the coast may cause significant adverse impacts on the ecological integrity and key features of the sites that have been designated or proposed as Emerald sites, Ramsar sites and Important Birds Areas along the coast. References
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