M t .
P l a The Prespa Lakes basin (Southeast Europe) is a globally signi cant k e n s ecological and cultural landscape comprising four National Parks k a and several protected areas with unique habitats, ora and fauna.
Ohrid FYR MACEDONIA In 2000 the Governments of Albania, FYR Macedonia and Greece
Resen agreed to work together to maintain the natural values of the a
d s i t
i area and introduce environmental management practices in the r h h
c
O i M l t Prespa Park by integrating ecological, economic and social goals. . e a P e G k l i a . s t t L e Two Wetlands of International Importance, designated under the M r Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, lie within the Transboundary
a Prespa Park boundaries. The area has been acknowledged as a
p s
e Gift to the Earth by WWF-International, and European Union has
r
P e
t
a o included Prespa Lakes in its policies on water and species
r h c T a i protection. i M l a e M k t a s u n . a n o The Prespa Park Coordination Committee is a trilateral body t L a r M V A L B A N AI . t
M representing governments, local authorities and civil society. It
a p
s supports environmental protection and sustainable development e
r
P
o in the Prespa Park for the preservation of natural and cultural r c i M e heritage and the wellbeing of its peoples. k La Since 2006 a GEF/UNDP Project supports Integrated Ecosystem
GREECE Management in the transboundary Prespa Lakes Basin, to last until 2011.
Prespa Park boundaries Adapted, courtesy of the Society for the Protection of Prespa BIODIVERSITY Nature’s wonder, our treasure
Prespa Park Coordination Committee Secretariat SPA PARK O LAKES, ONE FUTURE PRE 530 77 Aghios Germanos, Prespa, Greece RIES, TW COUNT Phone: +30 23850 51211; Fax: +30 23850 51343 THREE ТР И ДРЖ www.prespapark.orgΠΑΡ АВИ ΚΟ ΠΡΕΣΠ , ДВЕ ΩΝ ЕЗЕРА , ЕДНА S ΛΟΝ ИДНИНА PARKU PRESPË Α ΜΕΛ ΝΕΣ, ΕΝ ΔΥΟ ΛΙΜ T ПРЕСПА ПАРК ΤΡΕΙΣ XΩΡΕΣ, RE VENDE, DY LIQENE, NJË E ARDHME
The production of this publication was supported by GEF and UNDP within the regional project Integrated ecosystem management in the Prespa Lakes Basin of Albania, FYR Macedonia and Greece. www.prespapark.org
Title: BIODIVERSITY
Compiled by: Krafting Group, Skopje
Editor: Sonja Seizova
Edition: Prespa Park Facts and Figures
Published by: UNDP
Graphic design: Aleksandar Ackovski
Printed by: Birografika, Skopje
Skopje, 2009
Front page photo: Hermann’s Tortoise Testudo hermanni, photo by Alvin Lopez / UNDP
Our VISION is Prespa lakes basin managed jointly by the three countries, for the preservation of natural and cultural heritage and the wellbeing of its peoples. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily re ect the o cial position of the United Nations Development Programme. Our MISSION is to o er ways to restore and keep this balance.
© This publication is copyright. It may be reproduced by any method without fee or prior permission for education purposes, with Prespa Park Coordination Committee credits to the Publisher, but not for resale. The Publisher shall be noti ed of any such use.
The production of this publication was supported by GEF and UNDP within the regional project Integrated ecosystem management in the Prespa Lakes Basin of Albania, FYR Macedonia and Greece. BIODIVERSITY
CONTENT:
Nature’s Wonder, our Treasure 4
Prespa: A Global Hotspot of Biodiversity 5
Protected Areas: The Guardians of our Natural Heritage 7
Strictly Protected Ornithological Reserve Ezerani 7 Pelister National Park 7 Galicica National Park 8 Prespa National Forest 8 Prespa National Park 9
Prespa Park: Safeguarding Biodiversity Accross the Borders 9
Our VISION is Prespa lakes basin managed jointly by the three countries, for the preservation of natural and cultural heritage and the wellbeing of its peoples. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily re ect the o cial position of the United Nations Development Programme. Our MISSION is to o er ways to restore and keep this balance.
© This publication is copyright. It may be reproduced by any method without fee or prior permission for education purposes, with Prespa Park Coordination Committee credits to the Publisher, but not for resale. The Publisher shall be noti ed of any such use.
The production of this publication was supported by GEF and UNDP within the regional project Integrated ecosystem management in the Prespa Lakes Basin of Albania, FYR Macedonia and Greece. GOVERNANCE www.prespapark.org
BIODIVERSITY www.prespapark.org
FISH AND FISHERIES www.prespapark.org
The word biodiversity is short FORESTS www.prespapark.org for biological diversity. It is the variety of species, their genetic make-up, and the natural com- munities in which they occur. The biodiversity we see today is the result of millionsMAKING of years A of LIVING www.prespapark.org biological evolution. It has been shaped by natural processes and, increasingly, by the influ- ence of humans. Biodiversity supports allAGRICULTURE our lives, it is vital www.prespapark.org for our survival and it shows us how healthy is our planet. Hermann’s Tortoise Testudo hermanni Photo by Alvin Lopez / UNDP
TOURISM www.prespapark.org
Nature’s wonder, our treasure
We depend on biodiversity economic benefits. Without the every day. The air we breathe is products and services that natu- a product of photosynthesis by ral systems provide, we would www.prespapark.org WATER green plants. Insects, worms, not be able to survive, let alone bacteria, and other tiny organ- prosper. Many medicines are isms break down wastes and aid developed from plants and ani- in the decomposition of dead mals. Also, for most people, the plants and animals to enrich natural world is beautiful and soils. Also, biodiversity has direct valued for its aesthetic appeal. PROTECTING OUR WETLAND www.prespapark.org
4 GOVERNANCE www.prespapark.org
BIODIVERSITY www.prespapark.org
Prespa: A Global Hotspot of FISH AND FISHERIES Biodiversity www.prespapark.org
The basin of the Prespa lakes is endowed with an exceptional biodiversity. The region has been recognized as a European FORESTS and Global Hotspot of Biodiv- www.prespapark.org erity, not only because of the sheer number of species and habitats present, but also due to their quality, such as rarity and A frog Rana sp. conservation significance. In Ezerani Strict Nature Reserve significant plant species and 84 Photo by Alvin Lopez/UNDP MAKING A LIVING www.prespapark.org For instance, there are 1249 globally significant vertebrate species of higher plants in the species. Let us mention, among Cormorant and the Balkan Lynx. Prespa National Forest in Greece others, the endemic forest The uniqueness of the basin is alone. The studies of the FYR of with Juniperus species, the assured by numerous local en- Macedonian part of the basin Macedonian pine (Balkan Pine), demic species both plants and identified 13 habitat types of Eu- Viola eximia, Pelister stream animals, to be found in the basin AGRICULTURE www.prespapark.org ropean importance, 33 globally trout, Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy and nowhere else in the world.
TOURISM www.prespapark.org
WATER www.prespapark.org
PROTECTING OUR WETLAND Foliage and cones of the endemic Molika, or Macedonian pine Pinus peuce www.prespapark.org Photo UNDP archives
5 GOVERNANCE www.prespapark.org
BIODIVERSITY www.prespapark.org
FISH AND FISHERIES www.prespapark.org
Prespa Park Protected Areas map FORESTS www.prespapark.org
MAKING A LIVING www.prespapark.org
AGRICULTURE www.prespapark.org Courtesy of the Society for the Protection of Prespa
TOURISM www.prespapark.org
WATER www.prespapark.org
PROTECTING OUR WETLAND www.prespapark.org
6 GOVERNANCE www.prespapark.org
BIODIVERSITY www.prespapark.org
Protected Areas: The Guardians FISH AND FISHERIES of our Natural Heritage to loss of habitats and species. number of protectedwww.prespapark.org areas in To mitigate these threats to the basin. These protected areas Various human activities in the biodiversity in the basin, over are essential for safeguarding basin have been threatening the the past six decades, national our unique natural heritage and rich and important biological governments of the three the benefits these areas provide diversity of Prespa Lakes leading countries have established a to human well-being. FORESTS www.prespapark.org
Strictly Protected Ornithologi- cal Reserve Ezerani MAKING A LIVING www.prespapark.org This reserve in FYR of Macedo- nia occupies 2,080 ha of the coastal area to the north of Lake Macro Prespa. In 1995, the reserve, together with the FYR of Macedonian part of Prespa AGRICULTURE www.prespapark.org Lake have been designated a Ramsar site, i.e. a Wetland of International Importance.
Bird observation platform at Ezerani Strict Nature Reserve Photo UNDP archives TOURISM www.prespapark.org Pelister National Park
Pelister National Park in FYR of from the park, including two Macedonia is the oldest protect- local endemic species. The park ed area in the basin. It was pro- is also significant for its animal WATER claimed in 1948 to protect some life, including several endemic – www.prespapark.org 10,000 ha of the Baba Mountain, found nowhere else in the world including the primary habitat – invertebrate species. of the Macedonian Pine (Balkan Pine). Currently the park covers 17,150 ha, reaching the border PROTECTING OUR WETLAND with Greece. More than a dozen Wild boar Sus scrofa www.prespapark.org of plants have been described Photo UNDP archives
7 GOVERNANCE www.prespapark.org
BIODIVERSITY www.prespapark.org
Galicica National Park FISH AND FISHERIES www.prespapark.org Galicica National Park in FYR of Macedonia was proclaimed in 1958 to protect the woodland of the Galicica Mountain (25,000 ha). Biodiversity in the park is rich and exceptional.FORESTS There are www.prespapark.org 12 species of higher plants to be found in this mountain only and the total number of higher plants of conservation impor- tance exceeds 200. The rich biodiversity of MAKINGplants is matched A LIVING www.prespapark.org only by the varied and excep- tional animal life. There are 71 local endemic invertebrate species in the park, 100 species are Macedonian (e.g. endemic Galicica National Park signpost to FYR of Macedonia)AGRICULTURE and 123 Photo UNDP archives www.prespapark.org are classed as Balkan endemic species. Sfika (6,700 ha). Moreover, the Greek part of lake Micro Prespa Prespa National Forest is a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Prespa NationalTOURISM Forest in Greece Dalmatian Pelican www.prespapark.org Convention on Wetlands. Its lim- Pelecanus crispus was designated in 1974. It spans its coincide with the “core” area Photo by Nehru Suleyman an area of 19,470 ha, covering of the PNF, except for the Agios most of the Greek part of the Giorghis site. Prespa lakes basin. The “core area” covers Lake Micro Prespa The Ramsar status strengthened (4,914 ha), the WATERadjancent reed the conservation of freshwater www.prespapark.org belt, small land areas on the biodiversity in this part of the north and east side of the lake basin. As a result, today lake and a small area with age-old Micro Prespa hosts the world cedars near the Psarades village largest colony of the Dalmatian (0.120 ha). The south-eastern Pelican (1,000 breeding pairs), part of PNF hasPROTECTING also been OURrated as WETLAND a Vulnerable species www.prespapark.org proclaimed a Wildlife Refuge - internationally.
8 GOVERNANCE www.prespapark.org
BIODIVERSITY www.prespapark.org
FISH AND FISHERIES www.prespapark.org
FORESTS www.prespapark.org
MAKING A LIVING www.prespapark.org
Mali i Thate, Prespa National Park, Albania AGRICULTURE Photo bywww.prespapark.org Ardit Konomi/UNDP Prespa National Park
Prespa National Park in Alba- nia was established in 1999 to provide for the protection Brown bear Ursus arctos of both terrestrial and aquatic TOURISM www.prespapark.org ecosystems in the Albanian part of the Prespa lakes basin (27,750 ha). The terrestrial ecosystem is dominated by the calcareous Mali i Thate (Suva Gora) - an ex- Otter Lutra lutra tension of the Galicica Mountain WATER in FYR Macedonia. The aquatic www.prespapark.org component includes the Alba- Prespa Park: Safeguarding Bio- nian shares of the Prespa lakes diversity Accross the Borders (including the island Mali Grad). The transboundary Prespa Park constitutes an important step PROTECTING OUR WETLAND Wild cat Felis silvestris forward toward www.prespapark.orga coordinated and integrated approach in Photos UNDP archive
9 GOVERNANCE www.prespapark.org
BIODIVERSITY www.prespapark.org
the conservation and manage- sity. More specifically, following · Implementation of joint ment of biologicalFISH diversity AND FISHERIESthe Strategic Action Plan, the conservation measures on key www.prespapark.org in the Prespa lakes basin. The Prespa Park Coordination Com- transboundary species and implementation of the Strategic mittee will oversee a range of ecosystems (e.g. joint forest Action Plan for the Sustainable efforts including: management plan); Development of the Prespa Park will contribute to a more · Coordination of activities for · Establishment and imple- effective managementFORESTS of the ex- integrated water management mentation of a basin-wide www.prespapark.org isting protected areas and, more in the basin; transboundary monitoring importantly, bring a crossborder, system which includes emphasis · A basin-wide assessment basin-wide framework for the on biodiversity and pollution. and transboundary manage- protection of Prespa’s biodiver- ment of fish and fisheries;
MAKING A LIVING www.prespapark.org
AGRICULTURE www.prespapark.org
TOURISM www.prespapark.org
WATER www.prespapark.org
Hermann’s Tortoise PROTECTING OUR WETLAND Testudo hermanni hatching www.prespapark.org Photo by Berthold Werner
10 GOVERNANCE www.prespapark.org
BIODIVERSITY www.prespapark.org
FISH AND FISHERIES www.prespapark.org
FORESTS www.prespapark.org
MAKING A LIVING www.prespapark.org
AGRICULTURE www.prespapark.org
TOURISM www.prespapark.org
WATER www.prespapark.org
Photo UNDP archives
PROTECTING OUR WETLAND www.prespapark.org
11 M t .
P l a The Prespa Lakes basin (Southeast Europe) is a globally signi cant k
e
n s ecological and cultural landscape comprising four National Parks
k a and several protected areas with unique habitats, ora and fauna.
Ohrid FYR MACEDONIA In 2000 the Governments of Albania, FYR Macedonia and Greece
Resen agreed to work together to maintain the natural values of the a
d s i t
i area and introduce environmental management practices in the r
h h
c
O i M l t Prespa Park by integrating ecological, economic and social goals. . e a P e G k l i
a . s t t L e Two Wetlands of International Importance, designated under the M r Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, lie within the Transboundary
a Prespa Park boundaries. The area has been acknowledged as a
p s
e Gift to the Earth by WWF-International, and European Union has
r
P e
t
a o included Prespa Lakes in its policies on water and species
r h
c T a i protection.
i M l a e M k t a s u n . a n o The Prespa Park Coordination Committee is a trilateral body t L a r M V A L B A N AI . t
M representing governments, local authorities and civil society. It
a p
s supports environmental protection and sustainable development e
r
P
o in the Prespa Park for the preservation of natural and cultural r c i M
e heritage and the wellbeing of its peoples. k La Since 2006 a GEF/UNDP Project supports Integrated Ecosystem
GREECE Management in the transboundary Prespa Lakes Basin, to last until 2011.
Prespa Park boundaries Adapted, courtesy of the Society for the Protection of Prespa BIODIVERSITY Nature’s wonder, our treasure
Prespa Park Coordination Committee Secretariat SPA PARK O LAKES, ONE FUTURE PRE 530 77 Aghios Germanos, Prespa, Greece RIES, TW COUNT Phone: +30 23850 51211; Fax: +30 23850 51343 THREE ТР И ДРЖ www.prespapark.orgΠΑΡ АВИ ΚΟ ΠΡΕΣΠ , ДВЕ ΩΝ ЕЗЕРА , ЕДНА S ΛΟΝ ИДНИНА PARKU PRESPË Α ΜΕΛ ΝΕΣ, ΕΝ ΔΥΟ ΛΙΜ T ПРЕСПА ПАРК ΤΡΕΙΣ XΩΡΕΣ, RE VENDE, DY LIQENE, NJË E ARDHME
The production of this publication was supported by GEF and UNDP within the regional project Integrated ecosystem management in the Prespa Lakes Basin of Albania, FYR Macedonia and Greece.