DOCSLIB.ORG

Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for the Caves and Cave Bats of Prespa

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for the Caves and Cave Bats of Prespa Project "Landscape Scale Conservation in the Prespa Lake Basin – Transboundary Species and Habitat Conservation Action Plans" Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for the Caves and Cave Bats of Prespa E. Papadatou, B.Gichevski and A. Stojanov January 2012 1 Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for Caves and Cave Bats of Prespa The present Conservation Action Plan is the product of data analysis carried out into the framework of the project “Landscape Scale Conservation in the Prespa Lake Basin – Transboundary Species and Habitat Conservation Action Plans. The project was undertaken within the UNDP project “Integrated ecosystem management within the Prespa lake watershed”. Report prepared by: Dr. E. Papadatou, Bat expert, Greece M.Sc. B. Gichevski, Speleologist, Macedonian Ecological Society, Skopje, Macedonia A.Stojanov, Junior expert for bats, Macedonian Ecological Society, Skopje, Macedonia V. Avukatov, GIS specialist, Macedonian Ecological Society, Skopje, Macedonia M.Sc. Brajanoska, Macedonian Ecological Society, Skopje, Macedonia Dr Ljupcho Melovski, Macedonian Ecological Society, Skopje, Macedonia Dr Slavcho Hristovski, Expert for cave invertebrate fauna and ground beetles, Macedonian Ecological Society, Skopje, Macedonia Process facilitation and document editing by: Gabriel Schwaderer Lawrence Jones Walters Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged: Papadatou A., Gichevski B., Stojanov A. 2012. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for Caves and Bats of Prespa. Final Report pp ??. Cover photo: Biljana Gichevski 2 Abbreviations ASPBM: Albanian Society for the Protection of Birds and Mammals CAP: Conservation Action Plan EUROBATS: Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of Bats in Europe EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment IUCN: International Union for Nature Conservation NGO: Non-governmental organization PA: Protected Area PPCC: Prespa Park Coordination Committee SAP: Strategic Action Programme SPP: Society for the Protection of Prespa TDA: Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis TMS: Transboundary Monitoring System TPP: Transboundary Prespa Park TTT: Technical Task Team UNDP: United Nations Development Program MCWG: Monitoring and Conservation Working Group WAMP: Women Association of Micro Prespa 3 Contents Summary ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 PART I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION .............................................................................................................. 7 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Transboundary Prespa Park ................................................................................................................. 7 1.2 The Prespa Lakes’ Watershed.............................................................................................................. 8 1.3 Area of interest .................................................................................................................................... 9 1.4 Physical features and hydrology .......................................................................................................... 9 1.5 Geology .............................................................................................................................................. 10 1.6 Climatic features ................................................................................................................................ 10 2. Underground sites in the Prespa Lakes watershed ................................................................................. 12 2.1 Caves .................................................................................................................................................. 12 2.1.1 Caves in Albania .............................................................................................................................. 13 2.1.1.1 Physical features .......................................................................................................................... 13 2.1.1.2 Invertebrate fauna ....................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.1.3 Bat fauna...................................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.2 Caves in Greece .............................................................................................................................. 16 2.1.2.1 Physical features .......................................................................................................................... 16 2.1.2.2 Invertebrate fauna ....................................................................................................................... 17 2.1.2.3 Bat fauna...................................................................................................................................... 17 2.1.3 Caves in FYR of Macedonia ............................................................................................................. 18 2.1.3.1 Physical features .......................................................................................................................... 18 2.1.3.2 Invertebrate fauna ....................................................................................................................... 20 2.1.3.3 Bat fauna...................................................................................................................................... 20 2.2 Rock shelters .......................................................................................................................................... 21 3. Review of previous research and conservation projects ............................................................................. 23 3.1 Albania ................................................................................................................................................... 23 3.2 Greece.................................................................................................................................................... 23 3.3 FYR of Macedonia .................................................................................................................................. 23 4. Conservation status, recent conservation measures and legal protection ................................................. 24 4.1 Bats - conservation and protection status ............................................................................................ 24 4.1.1 Greece............................................................................................................................................. 24 4.1.2 Albania ............................................................................................................................................ 25 4.1.3 FYR of Macedonia ........................................................................................................................... 25 4.2 Caves – conservation and protection status ......................................................................................... 25 4 4.2.1 Albania ............................................................................................................................................ 25 4.2.2 Greece............................................................................................................................................. 25 4.2.3 FYR of Macedonia ........................................................................................................................... 25 4.3 General remarks .................................................................................................................................... 26 5. Transboundary Monitoring System (TMS) .................................................................................................. 26 PART II. CONSERVATION ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................... 27 6. Threats and limiting factors ......................................................................................................................... 27 7. Action plan ................................................................................................................................................... 29 7.1 Overarching goal .................................................................................................................................... 29 7.2 Detailed action plan ............................................................................................................................... 29 7.2.1 Research and survey recommendations ........................................................................................ 30 7.2.2 Conservation recommendations .................................................................................................... 32 7.2.3 Public awareness ............................................................................................................................ 34 7.3 Recommended priority actions ............................................................................................................. 43 8. Conclusion: caves and bats in the Transboundary Prespa Park .................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Prespa Park Report
    PPRREESSPPAA PPAARRKK RREEPPOORRTT PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT ON TRANSBOUNDARY FIRE-FIGHTING AND CONTINGENCY COOPERATION IN THE PRESPA PARK AREA Miltos Gletsos Society for the Protection of Prespa Aghios Germanos, February 2004 Funded by the Hellenic Aid – International Development Cooperation Agency of Greece "Although the idea of a natural frontier has long been a basic tenet of geography and political science, the environmental impact of transfrontier cooperation is today unequivocally revealing the spatial continuity of frontier areas and hence the need for their joint management to cope with problems of pollution, soil degradation and optimal land use. The current process of changes in Europe is posing new and compelling challenges to regional co-operation in general and to co- operation in the fields of the environment and the security in particular. With the emergence of new countries with economies in transition, new frontiers are cutting through regions, creating more transboundary situations and issues." (excerpt from a report presented on the 6th session of the Congress of the Local and Regional Authorities of Europe - CLRAE [1]) TRANSBOUNDARY FIRE-FIGHTING AND CONTINGENCY COOPERATION IN THE PRESPA PARK AREA 2 Preliminary Assessment on Transboundary Fire-fighting and Contingency Cooperation in the Prespa Park Area Contents 1. Introduction 4 2. Description of the Area 4 2.1 Geography 4 2.2 Vegetation 4 2.3 Climate 5 2.4 Demographics and Economy 5 3. Forest Fire Situation 6 3.1 Collection of Fire Data 6 3.2 Forest Fire Statistics and Dynamics 6 3.3 Forest Fire Causes 7 4. Fire management organisations 8 4.1 National Level 8 4.2 Prespa Region 9 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Bulletin 8 of the European Dry Grassland Group
    Bulletin 8 of the European Dry Grassland Group Welcome to the eighth Bulletin of the EDGG. In this autumn issue we bring the first circular of the 8th European Dry Grassland Meeting, which will take place in Uman (Ukraine) in June 2011. At the same time, information on other forthcoming events focussing on grassland ecosystems is included. The role of bats in grassland ecosystems is highlighted in the contribution from Mount Varnous (Greece). The detailed introduction to the co-operating organisations, Floristisch- Soziologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft e. V. (FlorSoz), International Association for Vegetation Science (IAVS) and Sand Dune and Shingle Network is an invitation to join these organisations and their activities. Last but not least, a short report from the EDGG expedition is available as a memory of nice summer days or as inspiration for the next growing season. We wish you pleasant reading. Monika Janišová & members of EDGG Executive Committee Content European Dry Grassland Group 2 The 8th European Dry Grassland Meeting 3 Grass-lands as bat-lands: evidence from Mount Varnous, Greece 7 Invitation to join the Floristisch-Soziologische Arbeits- gemeinschaft e. V. (FlorSoz) 10 International Association for Vegetation Science (IAVS) 12 Sand Dune and Shingle Network 14 Impressions from the EDGG Research Expedition 2010 to Central Podilia (Ukraine) 15 Proposals for future venues of European Dry Grassland Meetings: 10th EDGG Meeting in Poland 2013 17 Forthcoming events 18 Activities and subgroups of the European Dry Grassland Group 19 Invitation to SALVERE workshop 20 Forum 23 Recent publications of our members 23 1 September 2010 EDGG homepage: http://www.edgg.org European Dry Grassland Group The European Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) is a net- The EDGG covers all aspects related to dry grass- work of dry grassland researchers and conservationists in lands, in particular: plants - animals - fungi - microbia - Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • Species Action Plan for the Endemic Prespa Trout, Salmo Peristericus: a Conservation Tool
    Species Action Plan for the Endemic Prespa Trout, Salmo Peristericus: A Conservation Tool Irene Koutseri1, Alain J. Crivelli2, Svetozar Petkovski3, Yannis Kazoglou1 1 Society for the Protection of Prespa, Agios Germanos, Prespa, Greece 2 Tour du Valat, Le Sambuc, Arles, France 3 Society for the Investigation and Conservation of biodiversity and the Sustainable Development if Natural Ecosystems – BIOECO, Skopje, FYR of Macedonia Abstract In 2006 the Prespa basin was characterized by the IUCN as one of the ten most important areas for endemic freshwater fish species in the Mediterranean, albeit with a high threatened status for most of these species. Nine endemic fish species have been identified and eight of them fall into "Endangered" or "Vulnerable" categories. The endemic Prespa Trout, Salmo peristericus, is classified as Endangered and its limited dispersal at the headwaters of few streams renders its conservation a priority for local stakeholders. Following long term research on the species populations in Greece and the FYR of Macedonia, a Species Action Plan (SAP) has been developed, in order to set the priorities and describe the necessary actions towards the conservation of the species. The application of the SAP aims at (i) documenting the current ecological situation of the streams, (ii) documenting the health of the remaining populations of Prespa trout, (iii) developing a standardized long-term monitoring scheme, (iv) assessing the relative importance of suspected threats, (v) implementing first implementation measures for improving stream and trout population health and (vi) promoting sustainable development by integrating stakeholder participation and transboundary co-operation towards the conservation of the species. The Species Action Plan constitutes a useful tool, with specific guidelines for the conservation of the endemic Prespa Trout.
    [Show full text]
  • ESIA Greece Annex 6.1.0 - Baseline Bibliography Page 2 of 72
    Integrated ESIA Greece Annex 6.1.0 - Baseline Bibliography Page 2 of 72 Area Comp. System Disc. Doc.- Ser. Code Code Code Code Type No. Project Title: Trans Adriatic Pipeline – TAP GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0070 Integrated ESIA Greece Document Title: Rev.: 00 / at02 Annex 6.1.0 - Baseline Bibliography TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 SUPPORTING MATERIAL CULTURAL HERITAGE 3 1.1 Literature Sources 3 1.2 Web Sources 11 2 SUPPORTING MATERIAL BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT 12 2.1 Literature Sources 12 2.2 Web Sources 49 3 SUPPORTING MATERIAL PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 50 3.1 Literature Sources 50 3.2 Web Sources 63 4 SUPPORTING MATERIAL SOCIOECONOMIC BASELINE 65 4.1 Literature Sources 65 4.2 Web Sources 70 Page 3 of 72 Area Comp. System Disc. Doc.- Ser. Code Code Code Code Type No. Project Title: Trans Adriatic Pipeline – TAP GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0070 Integrated ESIA Greece Document Title: Rev.: 00 / at02 Annex 6.1.0 - Baseline Bibliography 1 SUPPORTING MATERIAL CULTURAL HERITAGE 1.1 Literature Sources ‘A century of research in Prehistoric Macedonia’, Abstracts book, International Conference 22.- 24. November (2012), Thessaloniki, pages 19, 21, 30, 33-35, 47, 49-51, 64-65, 74-75. ‘Abdera-Polystylon’, Archaeological Guide, Dina Kallintzi, Domna Terzopoulou, Nikos Zekos, Stavroula Dadaki, Region of East Macedonia and Thrace, (2001), pages 26, 30, 60, 62, 66, 68, 70. ‘Ancient and Byzantine Avdira’, Petros Georgantzis, Avdira (2006), pages 13-16, 34, 36-50, 339- 344. ‘Ancient Macedonia VI’ Papers read at the sixth international Symposium held in Thessaloniki, October 15.-19., (1996), Volume 1, I.
    [Show full text]
  • Guideline Document of the Restoration and Management of Wet Meadows in the Lake Mikri Prespa
    SUMMARY GUIDELINE DOCUMENT OF THE RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT OF WET MEADOWS IN THE LAKE MIKRI PRESPA SUMMARY GUIDELINE DOCUMENT OF THE RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT OF WET MEADOWS IN THE LAKE MIKRI PRESPA Description of the study area Wet meadows are defined as meadows covered by low herbaceous vegetation on soils periodically flooded or waterlogged during some periods of the year. At Lake Mikri Prespa, these meadows are found on littoral sites with gentle slopes and, usually, between the reedbeds and the drier habitats or farmland. The study area belongs to the geographical territory of the Municipality of Prespa, situated in the north-western edge of the Florina Prefecture (Region of Western Macedonia). More specifically, the study area (area of restoration and management of wet meadows) is defined as the littoral zone of Lake Mikri Prespa, which is situated within the core of Prespa National Park and/ or within the “Nature Protection Area” (according to Common Ministerial Decision due to be issued on the delimitation of protection zones, according to the criteria of Law 1650/1986) and/ or which is considered unsuitable for cultivation when the water level is at the highest altitude of 854.80m (851.0m according to measurements taken after 2001). The total surface of the study area is 3,615 ha. The study area falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (MRDF) and particularly the Directorate of Aesthetic Forests, National Parks and Hunting. At the local level, the relevant competent authority for the management of the National Park/ Forest is the Florina Forestry Department, which falls under the Forestry Department of the Regional Administration of Western Macedonia.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative ITS and AFLP Analysis of Diploid Cardamine (Brassicaceae) Taxa from Closely Related Polyploid Complexes
    Annals of Botany 93: 507±520, 2004 doi:10.1093/aob/mch073, available online at www.aob.oupjournals.org Comparative ITS and AFLP Analysis of Diploid Cardamine (Brassicaceae) Taxa from Closely Related Polyploid Complexes KAROL MARHOLD1,2,*, JUDITA LIHOVA 1 ,MARIA NPERNY 1 and WALTER BLEEKER 3 1Institute of Botany, Slovak Academy of Sciences, DuÂbravska cesta 14, SK-845 23 Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 2Department of Botany, Charles University, BenaÂtska 2, CZ-128 01 Praha 2, Czech Republic and 3Department of Systematic Botany, University of OsnabruÈck, Barbarastrasse 11, D-49076 OsnabruÈck, Germany Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/aob/article/93/5/507/226852 by guest on 29 September 2021 Received: 21 July 2003 Returned for revision: 24 September 2003 Accepted: 13 January 2004 Published electronically: 22 March 2004 d Background and Aims Diploid representatives from the related polyploid complexes of Cardamine amara, C. pratensis and C. raphanifolia (Brassicaceae), were studied to elucidate phylogenetic relationships among the complexes and among the individual taxa included. d Methods Two independent molecular data sets were used: nucleotide sequences from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nrDNA, and ampli®ed fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Seventeen diploid taxa from the studied groups were sampled. d Key Results Both ITS and AFLP analyses provided congruent results in inferred relationships, and revealed two main lineages. While the C. amara group, consisting of C. wiedemanniana and four subspecies of C. amara, was resolved as a well-supported monophyletic group, taxa from the C. pratensis and C. tenera groups (the latter representing diploid taxa of the complex of C.
    [Show full text]
  • Species Action Plan for the Prespa Trout
    THE PRESPA TROUT Salmo peristericus Karaman 1938 An endangered species in need of action SPECIES ACTION PLAN Alain J. Crivelli, Irene Koutseri & Svetozar Petkovski THE PRESPA TROUT Salmo peristericus Karaman 1938 An endangered species in need of action SPECIES ACTION PLAN Agios Germanos, June 2008 Dr. Alain .J. Crivelli Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, Le Sambuc 13200 Arles, France Irene Koutseri Society for the Protection of Prespa, Agios Germanos, 530 77 Prespa, Greece Dr. Svetozar Petkovski Society for the Investigation and Conservation of Biodiversity and the Sustainable Development of Natural Ecosystems-BIOECO, Briselska 12, 1000 Skopje, FYR of Macedonia Acknowledgments This Project was originated by the Society for the Protection of Prespa in order to ensure the long-term conservation of the Prespa trout. All technical and scientific support has come from the Biological Station of Tour du Valat, France, while the key partner in the FYR of Macedonia has been the Society for the Investigation and Conservation of Biodiversity and the Sustainable Development of Natural Ecosystems-BIOECO facilitating the sampling sessions in the respective River basins and providing valuable information for the compilation of this Action Plan. The Ministry of Environment of the FYR of Macedonia has made the sampling possible through the granting of a licence to the project team, while the Greek Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Management Body of Prespa National Forest should be acknowledged for issuing licences to the Society for the Protection of Prespa for several years. Particularly valuable has been the contribution of the Society for the Sustainable Development for Brajcino and especially Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Action Plan for the Prespa Lakes' Watershed
    1 Description Of The Watershed 33 Empowered lives. Resilient nations. Mountain Tea Conservation Action Plan for the Prespa Lakes’ Watershed Landscape Scale Conservation in the Prespa Lake Basin Transboundary Species and Habitat Conservation Action Plans Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Prespa Lake Basin The present Conservation Action Plan is the product of data analysis carried out into the framework of the project “Landscape Scale Conservation in the Prespa Lake Basin – Transboundary Species and Habitat Conservation Ac- tion Plans. The study was funded by UNDP/GEF project “Integrated ecosystem management within the Prespa lake water- shed” Suggested bibliographical reference: Bojadzi, A., Brajanoska, R., Stefkov, Gj., Fotiadis, G., Shumka, S. And Avukatov, V. (2012). Conservation Action Plan for Mountain tea in the Prespa Lakes Watershed (Final Report). UNDP/GEF project “Integrated ecosystem management in the Prespa lakes basin”, pp 65. 33 Mountain Tea Conservation Action Plan for the Prespa Lakes’ Watershed Prepared by: Andon Bojadzi, NP Galichica Management Authority, Ohrid M.Sc. Robertina Brajanoska, Macedonian Ecological Society, Skopje Dr Gjoshe Stefkov, Faculty of Pharmacy, Skopje Dr. George Fotiadis, Greece Dr. Spase Shumka, Albania Vasko Avukatov, GIS specialist, Macedonian Ecological Society, Skopje Process facilitation and document Gabriel Schwaderer, Euronatur editing by: Lawrence Jones Walters, ECNC Acknowledgments Mr Alexandros Trasias, former Chairman of the Municipality of Krystallopigi, current Chairman of the
    [Show full text]
  • Hotel Directory
    Welcome to The Lynx Mountain Resort & Casino Dear Valued Guest, It is our pleasure to welcome you to The Lynx Mountain Resort & Casino. Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure, we are honoured that you have selected our Hotel. Our professional and friendly staff is committed to ensuring that your stay is both enjoyable and comfortable. Our commitment, to the demanding traveller is to satisfy two essentials, yet simple, expectations: • Provide friendly, courteous service in all our departments • Provide modern comfortable rooms and suites, where everything exceeds the standards of a Luxury establishment. During your stay, we will adhere to our Hotel’s Service Commitment, by providing you with outstanding service. In other words, we promise you a sensational experience by providing the cleanest room, friendliest staff and best value while you are our guest. If you encounter any concerns while staying with us, please contact the Front Desk immediately to allow us the opportunity to correct the situation. For direct service, you may contact the Manager on duty, or me by dialling 0 Again, thank you for choosing The Lynx Mountain Resort, where our promise to you is a full sense experience visit. We look forward to serving you now and on future trips to Florina and the greater Macedonia area. Sincerely yours, George S Fokas General Manager 1 GUEST SERVICES Air Conditioning/Heating Individual controls are located on the unit in your room. Please set the temperature to your comfort. You will find two controls on your unit: a thermostat to set the room temperature and a fan control with three speeds, high, medium and low.
    [Show full text]
  • Bulletin 8 of the European Dry Grassland Group
    Bulletin 8 of the European Dry Grassland Group Welcome to the eighth Bulletin of the EDGG. In this autumn issue we bring the first circular of the 8th European Dry Grassland Meeting, which will take place in Uman (Ukraine) in June 2011. At the same time, information on other forthcoming events focussing on grassland ecosystems is included. The role of bats in grassland ecosystems is highlighted in the contribution from Mount Varnous (Greece). The detailed introduction to the co-operating organisations, Floristisch- Soziologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft e. V. (FlorSoz), International Association for Vegetation Science (IAVS) and Sand Dune and Shingle Network is an invitation to join these organisations and their activities. Last but not least, a short report from the EDGG expedition is available as a memory of nice summer days or as inspiration for the next growing season. We wish you pleasant reading. Monika Janišová & members of EDGG Executive Committee Content European Dry Grassland Group 2 The 8th European Dry Grassland Meeting 3 Grass-lands as bat-lands: evidence from Mount Varnous, Greece 7 Invitation to join the Floristisch-Soziologische Arbeits- gemeinschaft e. V. (FlorSoz) 10 International Association for Vegetation Science (IAVS) 12 Sand Dune and Shingle Network 14 Impressions from the EDGG Research Expedition 2010 to Central Podilia (Ukraine) 15 Proposals for future venues of European Dry Grassland Meetings: 10th EDGG Meeting in Poland 2013 17 Forthcoming events 18 Activities and subgroups of the European Dry Grassland Group 19 Invitation to SALVERE workshop 20 Forum 23 Recent publications of our members 23 1 September 2010 EDGG homepage: http://www.edgg.org European Dry Grassland Group The European Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) is a net- The EDGG covers all aspects related to dry grass- work of dry grassland researchers and conservationists in lands, in particular: plants - animals - fungi - microbia - Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • Transboundary Prespa – Review of Conservation Efforts: a Report to The
    TRANSBOUNDARY PRESPA – REVIEW OF CONSERVATION EFFORTS A REPORT TO THE PRESPA OHRID NATURE TRUST APRIL 2017 PRESPANET: The PrespaNet NGO network consists of three non-governmental organisations: the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) in the fYR of Macedonia, the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) and the Society for the Protection of Prespa in Greece (SPP). The network was formed in 2013 and the three partners work together to protect the natural and cultural heritage of the transboundary Prespa lakes basin for the sustainable benefit of both people and wildlife, now and in the future. CONTRIBUTORS - MES: Robertina Brajanoska, Natalija Melovska, Svetlana Pejovic, Daniela Zaec CONTRIBUTORS - PPNEA: Klaudja Koci, Prof. Dr. Spase Shumka CONTRIBUTORS - SPP: Olga Alexandrou, Giorgos Catsadorakis, Julia Henderson, Thanos Kastritis, Irini Koutseri, Sevi Liouza, Annita Logotheti, Myrsini Malakou, Daphne Mantziou, Jovanka Papathanasiou, Vivi Roumeliotou, Yvonne Tsorogouni, Marianna Vlassi EDITORIAL TEAM: Robertina Brajanoska - MES, Julia Henderson - SPP, Thanos Kastritis - SPP, Myrsini Malakou - SPP, Vivi Roumeliotou - SPP, Spase Shumka - PPNEA ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors gratefully acknowledge the valuable contribution of the following organisations in the completion of this study: Galičica National Park; the Municipality of Resen; Pelister National Park; Prespa National Park, Albania; Prespa National Park Greece; EuroNatur; Frankfurt Zoological Society; KORA; Plantlife; the SAVE Foundation; Connecting Natural Values and People (CNVP), Albania; and, the Society of Communal Forest and Pasture Users of Pustec; as well as all the implementing organisations and agencies who have carried out projects in Prespa and graciously provided detailed information for the study. In addition, Panagiota Kaltsa, Demetris Karavellas, Constantinos Liarikos and Panagiota Maragou at WWF Greece all made valuable contributions to this study.
    [Show full text]
  • Page 1 Cultural Experience Tour in N.Macedonia (Pelagonija / Prespa
    Cultural experience tour in N.Macedonia (Pelagonija / Prespa) and Greece (Prespes / Western Macedonia) To: Project Increasing Tourism Opportunities through Utilization of Resources (i-Tour), Implemented by: Center for Development of Pelagonija Planning Region- Bitola Activities: Sightseeing with easy walking combined with natural and gastronomy highlights Areas visited: Krushevo, Demir Hisar, Bitola, Prilep, Prespa/Prespes, Florina, Kastoria, Pella, Vergina, Veria, Edessa, Thessaloniki Day 1 N.Macedonia / Bitola and Heraclea Lyncestis 12:00-12:30 Meet/greet followed by welcome briefing by the tour leader. 12:30-14:30 Sightseeing in the center of Bitola, N.Macedonia’s second largest city, also the largest city of the Pelagonia region. Compared to the bustling capital Skopje, Bitola is far less hectic, which gives it another charm, offering Bitola offers a look at the more raw side of Macedonian life. Just like everywhere else around the Balkans, cafe culture is dominant everywhere. At all times of the day in Bitola you’ll find locals sitting outside cafes, catching up and watching the world go by. In Bitola, this is nearly all confined to Shirok Sokak Street, beautiful long pedestrian street that runs through the heart of the city. This street is back-to-back cafes and restaurants and the meeting place of choice for everyone it seems. Beyond the coffee and people watching, if you look a little higher, you’re bound to see some of the city’s most beautiful buildings. There’s many a neo-classical building to be admired, especially if you head towards the streets northern end and arrive in Magnolia Square.
    [Show full text]