PROJECT: BLACK & GRAY VS BLUES & GREEN

Integrated Ecosystem Approach for the Lake Ohrid Basin as a Tool for Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources

DOCUMENT PRODUCED BY Responsible Organisation Author(s)

Local Development Agency (Macedonia) From Albania: Spase Shumka, Entela Pinguli, Arian Merolli, Robert Damo Europartners Development (Albania) From Macedonia: Boris Stojanoski, Martina Eco Partners for Sustainable Development Blinkova

-financed by the EU. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained in. Τhe Programme is co Study: Integrated Ecosystem Approach for the Lake Ohrid Basin as a Tool for Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources Page 1

Table of Content

List of Abbreviations Acknowledgements Project description

1. The study: Use of the natural resources in the project area 1.1. Introduction 1.2. Aim and objectives of the study

2. Methodological approach 2.1. Method 2.1.1. The method’s advantages

3. The threat assessment analyses 3.1. Description of the project area

4. Legislation Framework 4.1. Legal framework Albania 4.2. Legal framework Macedonia 4.3. Stakeholders 4.4. Analysing of the relevant stakeholders on forest, water and agriculture 4.5. Current governance structure in the project area 4.5.1. Governance structure in Albania 4.5.2. Governance structure in Macedonia

5. Assessment of the natural resources management in the protected area and the related institutional framework 5.1. Assessment of values in Albanian site of the lake watershed 5.1.1. Ecological values and biodiversity 5.1.2. Assessment of natural resources management 5.2. Ecological, and biodiversity values of the Ohrid Lake 5.3. Socio-economic values, structure, income and employment, agri-businesses 5.4. Assessment of the Institutional Framework 5.5. Assessment of ecological and socio-economic threats 5.6. Ecological threats

6. Ecosystem approach to Natural Resources Management in Ohrid Lake Watershed Basin 6.1. Vision and objectives (Long and short-term management objectives) 6.2. Principles and definition for an effective management of forest ecosystems, water resources and crop production 6.3. The objectives of management of land, water and living resources are a matter of societal choice. Services should be a priority target of the ecosystem approach. 6.4. Management should be decentralized to the lowest appropriate level. 6.5. Conservation of ecosystem structure and functioning, in order to maintain ecosystem and Ecosystems must be managed within effective and adaptive one.

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6.6. The ecosystem approach should be undertaken at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales and objectives for ecosystem management should be set for the long term. 6.7. Management must recognize that change is inevitable. 6.8. The ecosystem approach should intend appropriate balance between an integration of, and conservation and use of biodiversity. 6.9. The ecosystem approach should consider all forms of relevant information, including scientific and indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices. The ecosystem approach should consider all forms of relevant information, including scientific and indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices.

7. Management actions for Protected Landscape Area, land use and water system 7.1. Strengthen the protected area management system, through ecosystem services approach 7.2. Strengthen habitat and biodiversity conservation for understanding ecosystem approach and sustainable resources utilization 7.3. Management of point and diffuse sources of pollution at the Ohrid Lake watershed scale

8. Develop effective Land Use Practices at the watershed scale 8.1. Develop the recreational and touristic uses

Recommendations References Annexes

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List of Abbreviations

APA Administration of Protected Area CFM Community Forest management CPUE Catch per Unit Effort DCM Decision Council of Ministers DFB Directorate of Forest and Biodiversity DFS Directory of Forestry Services FCRP Fire Control and Rescue Police FMO Fishery Management Organisation FYROM Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia HBIO Hydro biological Institute Ohrid HM Hunting Manager IoM Inspectorate of Mining IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature KRWM Korça Regional Waste Management Association LA Lake Administration LOCP Lake Ohrid Conservation Project LOMB Lake Ohrid Management Board LOWC Lake Ohrid Watershed Committee MAFWE Ministry of agriculture, forestry and water economy MARDWA Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Water Administration MC Management Committee MH Ministry of Health M&E Monitoring and Evaluation METS Management Effectiveness Tracking Sheet MoE Ministry of Environment MoESP Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning MP Management Plan MTI Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure MTC Ministry of Transport and Communication MUDT Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism NEA National Environmental Agency NP National Park NPS Non point sources NUCI National Urban and Construction Inspectorate PA Protected Areas PL Protected Landscape PME Participatory monitoring and evaluation PS Point sources PTATPLA Pogradec Terrestrial/Aquatic Territory Protected Landscape Area REA Regional Environmental Agency RM Republic of Macedonia SAC Special Areas of Conservation SI State Inspectoriat SIEFWF S State Inspectorate of Environment, Forest, Water and Fishery WB World Bank WFD Water Framework Directive (of the European Union) WRM Water Resources Management

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Acknowledgements

Blue& Green vs Black & Grey’ project is lead by “Local Development Agency” in Macedonia in partnership with “Europartners Development” and “ECO Partners for Sustainable Development” from Albania, who have been directly involved with the preparation of this study.

The project team composed of different experts on the field of water, forest and agriculture in both countries prepared this study research aiming at understanding problems and challenges related to the management of water, forest, land use and agriculture, ecological and socio- economic analyses, current governance structure in the territory of Ohrid lake and its watershed. The project team in Albania included independent experts such as Dr. Spase Shumka from AUT, Entela Pinguli from “ECO Partners for sustainable Development”, Arjan Merolli from the Secretariat of the Ohrid conservation management office in Pogradec, and Dr. Robert Damo from Department of Agriculture in University of Korca. In Macedonia the following experts were involved in the preparation of the study: Boris Stojanoski from the Environmental organization “Grashnica”, Ohrid, Martina Blinkova from the environmental consultancy house from Skopje. The Macedonian study team would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr .Ivan Blinkov from the Faculty of Forestry, University “Cyril and Methodius”, Skopje and Prof. Trajche Talevski from the Hydrobiological Institute from Ohrid

Approximately 120 different local stakeholders related to the main directions of this research such as water management, forestry and agriculture contributed to the outcomes of the research through the assessment process which included about the analyses of 60 questionnaires in Albania 60 in Macedonia, stakeholder’s meeting in Pogradec, Struga and Ohrid several individual meetings, which contributed to the shape of the recommendations of this study.

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Project description

The Local Development Agency (LDA) from Struga, Macedonia in cooperation with the partners EuroPartners Development and Eco Partners for Sustainable Development from Albania are the main implementers of the project “BLUE and GREEN versus BLACK and GRAY”. Project has started in September 2013 and will last for about 20 months until April 2015.

The overall objective of the project is to facilitate effective and responsible use of the natural resources in the cross-border region around the Ohrid Lake, thus enhancing the sustainable development in the area. This cross-border initiative is enhancing the effective and responsible use of the natural resources through collaboration of the relevant stakeholders in the cross border area of Ohrid Lake basin.

Project stakeholders in this project include communities from the Ohrid Lake transboundary area, in particular: farmers and villagers of 4 villages in Macedonia: Velgoshti, Veleshta, Kosel and Labunishta (14 000 inhabitants in total) and 4 villages in Albania (12 000 inhabitants in total); local authorities in the field of environment, forestry, agriculture and water management as well as the local CSOs.

The project intends to raise awareness and knowledge of the local stakeholders to contribute towards reducing problems which endanger the Ohrid Lake due to unsustainable use and management of natural resources. The project activities are needs driven and focused on ensuring the best interest of the project’s final beneficiaries which are the local relevant stakeholders which the project team has identified from the beginning of this project. The research collected and analyzed relevant data to understand the problems and challenges related to the management of water, forest, land use and agriculture in the Ohrid Lake basin. Research is bringing some recommendation to the project which will be followed by the project team in strengthening the stakeholders response to address the negative consequences of unsustainable use of natural resources, providing adequate assistance for managing those resources, enable exchange of best practices between environmental institutions, promoting participation of youth and, facilitating the stakeholders coordination through the establishment of the Local Action Groups on Environment.

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1 The study: Use of the natural resources in the project area 1.1 Introduction

In the frame of the Blue& Green vs Black & Grey’ project, “Europartners Development” in Albania and “Local Development Agency” in Macedonia has conducted this research aiming at understanding problems and challenges related to the management of water, forest, land use and agriculture, ecological and socio-economic analyses, current governance structure in the territory of Ohrid lake and its watershed. The main purpose of this research is to understand the problems and challenges related to the management of water, forest, land use and agriculture in the Ohrid Lake basin. The crossborder project team decided on the project area, prepared the project map and then agreed on the common research methodology for both countries which would be applied independently in each part. The research methodology included desk and field research organised by the project team in the first six months of the project implementation. While the desk research looked into the existing policies, reports and paperwork, the field research was conducted through questionnaires and interviews addressing the 120 relevant stakeholders in the three fields of this research, Water, Forest, Land use and Agriculture. The research gives information on the following: Current condition of forest, agriculture and water, including the SWOT analyses for each direction (Annex 5 and Annex 6) • Policies and legal frameworks in place Stakeholder analyses for water, forest, land use and agriculture. • Recommendations for the stakeholders and for the project to follow. • The scope of this performance included: mapping of existing policies and strategies, • investigating best practices, and will follow up with empowering the local stakeholders through awareness campaigns and educational trainings which will follow up on the research recommendations. On the bases of this information, a stakeholder’s platform such as Local Action Group for Environment of the Ohrid Lake basin will be developed with the LEADER approach. LAGE’s role in improving the use of the natural resources in the management of water, forest and agriculture as well as their role in promoting socio-economic activities or promoting the scientific research and education will be performed. Hopefully, this information can help to support many on-going activities, projects and management plans and be complimentary to the existing projects in order to avoid duplicate work and strengthen cross border cooperation.

1.2 Aim and objectives of the study

The objective of this research is to develop an integrated ecosystem approach for the Lake Ohrid basin as a mechanism for conservation and protection of the natural resources and biodiversity through developing effective measures and cooperation between Albania and Macedonia for the joint environmental management of the watershed.

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2. Methodological approach

In the last two decades Ohrid Lake basin following its consideration as a biodiversity and endemism hotspot has been in focus of various projects, donors and investments. The five years GEF World bank project, KfW investments in both conservation and waste water treatment facilities, SECO, GIZ, etc., has been implementing considerable actions and measures. The gravity ecosystem point at entire basin (even scientifically the basin separation is not a right approach, there is definitely a unity) is ancient Ohrid lake and its ‘living fossils’ and after two decades the first question is on quality and success stories of achievements? Do the lake trophy itself is improved or worsened? Don the fish population is sustainably utilized or the ‘top down effect’ leads quality degradation? Currently in terms of Ohrid Lake the biodiversity conservation community is tackling large, complex, and urgent environmental problems where the stakes are high. The reasons are political, social and conceptual as well. The entire focus of donors has been shifted in the last half decade to (a) ecosystem services; (b) climate change and (c) integrated approach. As elsewhere people around the world are counting on such approaches, but there is a problem ones story of Lake Ohrid is analyzed – we don’t have a fully functional system to assess the effectiveness of actions. While many inspiring advances have been made, few conservation organizations can say consistently what is working, what could be improved, and what approaches need to be changed. The fragmentation and lack of integrated approach leads to insufficient action towards conservation. 2.1. Method

Main tool in analyses of entire watershed in terms of water, lake Ohrid itself, forestry and other types of terrestrial ecosystems and human activities with focus agriculture practices can be secured through innovative implementation of Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, Version 2.0.1

2.1.1. The method’s advantages

This approach state how our efforts will lead to our desired results. Just as a scientist states a clear hypothesis before designing an experiment to test it, we will articulate and share the “theories of change” behind our actions before implementing them. Through that we can follow the progress toward achieving desired results. We will not wait until the end of an action to evaluate it. Instead, we will systematically assess short and long- term indicators to track the effectiveness of our actions, investing in measures appropriate to the risks we are managing. Integrate all action and national strategies based on what we have learned. Simply measuring effectiveness does not fix anything. We will use our data and analyses to guide us toward doing more of what works and less of what does not work. At the transboundary contexts with Macedonians it secures openly share of our assessments with each other and with the public, we will increase learning and transparency and advance the work of the biodiversity conservation community as a whole. This approach will be focused on the first two steps.

1 Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, Version 2.0. (www.conservationmeasures.org) Study: Integrated Ecosystem Approach for the Lake Ohrid Basin as a Tool for Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources Page 8

The methodological tool is described at the following chart:

STEP 1 Conceptualize the Project Vision and Context

• Team and focus groups stetted up. • Scope (Yes), Vision (No), targets (Yes/No) • SWOT analyses and been achieved • Stakeholder analyses done. • Hypotheses of the study. • Threat analyses done

STEP 2 Research on integrated action planning and tracking/monitoring

Jointly developed with Macedonian team

3. Threat assessment analyses

Threat assessment carried for this survey is based on the guidelines provided by both the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA). IUCN threat classes were used, which 5 are primarily designed to assess key threats to species. They involve past, ongoing and future threats, using a time frame of three generations or ten years, whichever is the longer (not exceeding 100 years in the future) as required by the Red List Criteria (IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee, 2010). Environmental impacts were assessed using the scoring scheme provided by GIWA, which is more 10 ecosystem oriented. Four impact scores ranging from 0 (no known impact) through 1 (slight impact), 2 (moderate impact) to 3 (severe impact) were used to quantify the importance of each key issue. Details on determining impact scores can be found in the GIWA Methodology handbook for scaling and scoping (GIWA, 2001).

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3.1. Description of the project area

The area of Lake Ohrid and mountains Shebenik-Jablanica comprises an important part of the European Green Belt. Based on the fact they represent typical mountain environments they are essential to the survival of the national ecosystems at the transboundary area shared among Albania and Macedonia (Figure 1).

Figure 1 The Ohrid Lake Basin and Project focus area map

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Generally and globally about 10 per cent of the world's population depends on mountain resources, while a much larger percentage draws on other mountain resources, especially water. Following the Agenda 21, that relates to sustainable mountain development, and also during the World Summit on Sustainable Development “Mountain ecosystems support particular livelihoods, and include significant watershed resources, biological diversity and unique flora and fauna.” As it has been evidenced in other areas, in Albania mountain ecosystems are, rapidly changing due to their particular sensitivity to human activities, resulting e.g. in the rapid loss of habitat and effects on wildlife species. Hence, the proper management of mountain resources and socio-economic development of the people deserves quick and effective actions. On 2004 there has been signed the “Agreement for protection and sustainable development of Ohrid watershed” among governments of Albania and Macedonia, considering entire catchment of both Prespa and Ohrid lakes.

Lake Ohrid has 87.5 km of shoreline and covers an area of 358.2 km2. Although the average depth of the lake is 164 m, it has a maximum depth of 289 m. The water that fills Lake Ohrid comes from its watershed, or drainage area. The rivers and streams that run down from the mountain sides and out of the valleys into the lake, such as the Cherava River, Grashnica, Koselska River and Sateska River, deliver about half of its water. The rest comes from the springs that flow into the southern part of the lake, at St. Naum, Drilon and Tushemisht. These springs are fed by water flowing out of the porous mountains to the east, Galicica and Mali i Thate. These mountains are made of karst, a kind of rock that is easily eroded by water. Over thousands of years, holes and channels have formed within the mountain rock. These channels carry water that originated in Lake Prespa to Lake Ohrid. Because Lake Prespa sits 150 m above Lake Ohrid, its waters run “downhill” to Lake Ohrid through the channels in the karst. One of the easiest places to see the water leaving Lake Prespa and entering the underground mountain channels is at the Zaveri swallow hole, along the western shore of Big Prespa Lake, near the villages of Gollomboch and Gorica.

Like Lake Ohrid, Big and Small Prespa Lakes also get their water from their watershed. These lakes have smaller drainage areas and they are filled mostly by the rivers flowing into them. About every 11 years, all the water in Lake Prespa is replaced by new water. In contrast, it takes about 70 years for all the water in Lake Ohrid to be replaced. Water flows out of Lake Ohrid near Struga, into the Black Drim River. This river eventually runs all the way to the sea.

4. Legislation Framework

In the both Albania and Macedonia the national policies in the last two decades have been formulated in an evolving environment at national and regional levels, guided mainly by political and socio-economic factors. The address of several pressing needs and problems e.g. poverty and unemployment, has dictated strategic choices and decisions in terms of both formulation of policies and setting of priorities for their implementation. As an outcome, sustainable management has been rather low in the agenda. For instance, the need to maximize the agricultural production and the income of the inhabitants has led in the past to the implementation of policies that resulted in the deterioration of natural resources including in the Lake Ohrid basin.

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Table 1. Selected policy documents for Albania and Macedonia

Albania Macedonia • Strategy for Biodiversity and Action Plan • National Strategy for Waters (adopted in • Strategy and Action Plan for Protection of 2012) Land from Erosion • National strategy for protection and usage • Strategy and Action Plan for Sewage of cultural heritage; Treatment in Urban Areas • National strategy for environmental • Strategy and Action Plan for Water protection; Supply, Sewerage and Waste Management • National strategy for protection of in Rural Areas. biodiversity; • Lake Ohrid Watershed Management plan • Strategy for regional development of the • Strategic Action Plan for Sustainable Republic of Macedonia; Development of the Prespa Park • Strategy for waste management of the • National Waste Management Plan (1998) Republic of Macedonia (adopted in 2008); • National Environmental Action Plan • Strategy for environmental monitoring; (1993, updated in 2002) • National strategy for agriculture and rural • National Water Strategy (2004) Policy development; Documents Planed or Drafted • National strategy for sustainable forestry • National Environmental Strategy (NES) (2007) • Strategy for Hazardous Wastes • Second National Environnemental Action • Hunting Moratorium (2014) Plan (2006) • Strategy for tourism development (adopted in 2009); • National strategy for cultural development; • Spatial Plan of Ohrid and Prespa. Region (2005-2020) • Management Plan for Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region (Ministry of Culture, National Commission for UNESCO, 2010) • Fishery management Plan for the watershed of the Ohrid Lake (2011-2016) • Management Plan for the National Park “Galichica” • Forest management plans

4.1. Legal framework in Albania

• Law on Forestry and the Forestry Police Service (1992; 1994) • Law on Hunting and Wildlife Protection (1994) • Law on Protection of Wild Fauna and Flora (1994) • Law on Pastures and Meadows (1995) • Law on Water Resources (1996) • Law on Public Waste Disposal (1996) • Law on Public Disposal of Waste (1996) • Law on Water Supply and Waste Water Management (1996) • Law on Urban Planning (1996)

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• Law on City Planning (1993, amended 1998) • Law on Construction Police (1998) • Law on Plant Protection Service (1993; 1999) • Law on Concerning the Right to of Access to Official Documents (1999) • Law on Organization and Functioning of Local Government (2000) • Law on Concerning the Creation and Operation of Land Protection and Administration Structures (2001) • Law on Fishing and Fish Farming (1995 amended in 2002) • Law on Protected Areas (2002) • Law on Environmental Protection (2002) • Law on Environmental Treatment of Solid Waste (2003) • Law on Concerning the Environmental Treatment of Polluted Waters (2003) • Law on Chemical Substances and Preparations (2003) • Law on Protection of Transboundary Lakes (2003) • Law on Water Protection (2012)

4.2. Legal framework in Macedonia

• Law on Environment (2005) • Law on Nature Protection (2004,) • Law on Protection of Ohrid, Prespa and Dojran (1977) • Law on Hydrometeorological service (2008) • Various laws for ratification international conventions, declarations (UNCBD; UNFCCC; UNCCD: Bern; Ramsar; CITES, etc) • Law on Waters ( 2008) • Law on Water Management (2003) • Law on Water communities (2003) • Law on Inland waterways (2007) 2009) Law on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agriculture Plants (2006) • LawLaw on OrganicFertilizers Agriculture (2007) ( • Law for establishing a network for collecting accounting data from the Farms (2007) • Law on State Inspectorate for Agriculture (2011) • Law on Plant Protection (2005) • Law on Agricultural Land (2007) • Law on Agriculture and Rural Development (2010) • Law on products for plant protection (2011) • Breeder's Rights Act (2009) • Law on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agriculture Plants (2010) • Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture (2008) • Law on Forests (2009) • Law on Hunting (2009) • Law on reproductive material of forest trees (2007) Law on Forestry and Hunting Inspection (2008) • Law on Spatial and Urban Planning (2005) • •

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4.3 Stakeholders

The entire Albanian part of Ohrid Lake Basin land and water bodies itself are representing different ecological, cultural and economic values. The stakeholders at the central and local level have own interest, role and responsibility in protecting areas integrity. The role and involvement is recognized as a mechanism that can help in protection and effective management of entire protected area. Many complex planning and administration issue can find solution under effective collaborative platform of management authorities and local govern as an important player in the area (Table 2 and Table 3).

In the following tables are presented the overviews of all stakeholders related to Ohrid lake basin on both Albanian and Macedonian side, their position and in the administration and management of the important natural resources and ecosystem services.

Table 2. Stakeholder analyses for Ohrid lake area (Albania)

No. STAKEHOLDERS RESPONSIBILITIES/INTERESTS CENTRAL GOVERNMENT 1. Council of Ministers - Approve relevant legislation for Protected Areas, environment, biodiversity, fauna and flora, medicinal plants, forestry, fisheries, mining, renewable resources etc; - Design Protected Areas and management regime concept. 2. National Territorial - Check and approve the compliance of local instruments Council with national planning instruments in force. 3. National Territorial - Support the coordination among different planning Planning Agency authorities at both national and local level. - Draft and approve relevant legislation for environmental protection, environmental permitting, EIA; - Draft and approve relevant legislation for Protected Areas; - Prepare and present necessary documents to the Council of Ministry of Environment Ministers for issuing the protection status of a certain area; - Draft and approve relevant legislation for forestry and forestry services, management and preserve of fishery resources, water resources, wild fauna and flora including medicinal plants. - Administrate and preserve the protected areas through the supervision of management plans implementation, the enforcement of legislation by protected areas administration and enterprises performing activities in the Watershed Management area, the maintenance of environmental quality, the Committee promotion of ecological (sustainable) development and the implementation of requirements for sustainable use of natural resources. 4. - Administrate and preserve the Pogradec LPA; - Follow the implementation of management plan of the area; Administration of - Follow the implementation of annual programs on Protected Area/Directory monitoring and bio monitoring of the area; of Forestry Service - Putt fines in case of violations and collecting fines; - Manage forest and pastures in surrounding areas; - Control enforcement of legislation in relation to forestry,

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pastures, protected areas, wild flora, fauna and hunting. National Environmental - Issue environmental permits of Type A and B, through NLC. Agency - Advice the local government unit for implementation of environmental policy; - Enforce provisions of environmental legislation on EIA, environmental permitting, coordination of monitoring activities. Regional Environmental - Issue environmental permits of Type C, through NLC. Agency State Inspectorate of - Ensure the enforcement of legislation on environmental Environment, Forestry, protection, forest, water and fishery. Water and Fishery Ministry of Transport - Invest in waste management facilities, water supply and and Infrastructure sewerage 5. National inspectorate of - Control the compliance of development and construction Construction with the approved planning instruments for the area. 6. - Administrate of Agricultural Program and Rural Ministry of Agriculture, development; Rural Development and - Define the national policy of drainage and irrigation Water Administration systems; - Administrate of drainage and irrigation systems. 7. Ministry of Energy and - Draft the relevant legislation for energy and mining; Industry - Issue permits for energy supply and mining activities through NLC; - Take administrative measures. 8. Ministry of Urban - Promote tourism development; Development and - Drafting policy in sustainable tourism development; Tourism - Ensure and protect sustainable use of touristic resources. 9. Ministry of Culture - Preservation of cultural elements; - Drafting policy in conservation of cultural elements. 10. Ministry of Health - Monitor the quality of drinking water; - Monitor the quality of curative waters. LOCAL GOVERNMENT 11. Local Government Unites - Approve planning instruments; (Municipality of - Issue development and construction permits, through NLC; Pogradec, Communes of - Approve planning and construction regulations at local Hudenisht, Bucimas, level; Cerava) - Provide and maintain public services including water supply and sewerage, integrated waste management, etc. 12. Prefecture of Korça - Control the legal compliance of decisions taken by LGU. NON PROFITABLE ORGANISATION 13. No-Profit Organizations - Support initiatives in the interest of the local communities (National and including sustainable development of agriculture and other International) local economic activities, preservation of biodiversity and awareness rising among local community. LOCAL USERS Local owners - Claim land ownership; - Benefit from tourism and infrastructure development; - Increase the economic profits from different activities. Fishermen’s (through - Control the implementation of legal requirements in terms FMO Ohrid) of timing, equipments, seasons, etc; - Ensure implementation of legal provisions in terms of licensing and fisherman’s data delivery. - Implement restocking through national responsible authorities (MoE). Study: Integrated Ecosystem Approach for the Lake Ohrid Basin as a Tool for Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources Page 15

Local owners - Increase the number of livestock in line with MP; - Implement grazing quality and resources utilization; - Increase grazing areas. - Increase the number of bee hives; - Increase the production rate per hive unit; - Ensure marketing; - Increase number of tourists and visitors in the area; - Pay taxes for community services including waste management; - Expand their business activity.

The relevant stakeholders’ through legal commitments are responsible in development and implementation of planning mechanism that strives in sustainable development and conservation of valuable biological and habitats diversity in entire watershed of concern.

Table 3. Stakeholder analyses for Ohrid lake area (Macedonia)

No. STAKEHOLDERS RESPONSIBILITIES/INTERESTS PARLIAMENT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT and GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS 1. Parliament of RM - Adopt relevant legislation and spatial plan for the project 2. Government of RM - Check and approve the compliance of local instruments with national planning instruments in force. The MOEPP performs matters relating to : - Monitoring the state of the environment ; - Protection of water , soil , flora , fauna , air and ozone layer of pollution; Ministry of Environment - Protection against noise, radiation , protection of and physical planning biodiversity, geodiversity , national parks and protected (MOEPP) areas; - Restoration of polluted parts of the environment; - Proposing measures for the treatment of solid waste; - Spatial planning ; - Spatial Information System ; - Oversight of its jurisdiction and - Performs other duties prescribed by law . ( 2 ) within the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning are the following bodies: - State Environmental Inspectorate ; - Directorate for Environment ; 3. - Directorate of Spatial Information System Within the Directorate for environment – sector of nature, there is a department for Crn Drim basin

Duties of MOEPP : - Prepare new, improves and proposes changes to the exiting legislation, in accordance with European Union and monitoring their implementation through state environmental inspectorate. . - Prepares and follows the implementation of sectoral strategies and policies of nature and environment protection including management of protected areas/unit, soil and water protection. Responsible for water law implementation too.

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- Liaises and coordinates work with other ministries, local municipality administration, public institutions, donors and private actors operating in the fields of nature and environmental protection. - Water sector is also responsible for water permits, giving concessions for water use for energy, planning in water sector, various activities according to water law and EU Water Framework directives. - Prepares the necessary documentation for participation and membership in organization, conventions, protocols and agreements in their areas of competences.

4 Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture , Forestry and Water Management forestry and water performs matters relating to : economy (MAFWE) - Agriculture , forestry and water management ; - Use of agricultural land , forests and other natural resources; - Hunting and fishing ; - Protecting plants from diseases and pests ; - Policy implementation in the area of food safety and food veterinary and animal health . " - Monitoring and study of water conditions , maintenance and improvement of water regime ; - Hydromeliorative systems - Agro-meteorological and hydrological measurements , as well as anti protection ; - Study and research of the meteorological , hydrological and bio phenomena and processes ; - Oversight of its jurisdiction and - Performs other duties prescribed by law.

Within the Ministry of Agriculture , Forestry and Water are the following bodies: - Directorate for Seed and seedlings ; - Phyto-sanitary Directorate for Plant Protection ; - State Inspectorate for Agriculture and Fishing - State Inspectorate for Forestry and Hunting

Duties of MAFWE: - Prepare, improves and proposes changes to the exiting legislation, in accordance with European Union. - Inspection and monitoring of implementation of legislation related to forest management and hunting through state inspectorates for; forestry and hunting, - Prepares and follows the implementation of sectoral strategies and policies of agriculture, forestry and rural development. - Phyto -sanitary Directorate is responsible for everything related to plant protection and implementation of green list of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides etc. - Department of Water Management has the mission of sustainable and effective management of the irrigation system and drainage. - Drafts, improves and proposes technical norms related with the soil and irrigation.

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- Prepares and follows implementation of action plan in rural development, crop production and livestock production. - Department of forestry is responsible for creation of forest policy. Forest police guard is responsible for protection of all forest primarily against illegal logging but also form other biotic and abiotic factors. 5 Ministry of Culture, - Drafting policy in conservation of cultural elements (MOC) National Commission for UNESCO that is located within MOC shares responsibilities with the MOEPP in the implementation of the Management Plan for the cultural and natural heritage of the Ohrid Region 6 Ministry of transport and - Port Authority – Ohrid: performs work related to technical communications: and professional work in the field of inner waterways (MTC) navigation security in the Republic of Macedonia. 7 Agency for promotion - APDA is responsible for providing professional assistance and development of on agricultural holdings in order to increase the quality, agriculture (APDA) quantity and profitability of agricultural production - RC – Bitola optimization of available resources and their better - RU Ohrid utilization. In this context, the mission of APDA is: - RU Struga providing high quality advisory services in the field of individual farms in order to improve the quality and quantity of agricultural production in rural areas and market- oriented. - The vision of APDA is to be recognized honorable and counseling center among farmers for the purpose of application of modern scientific and technical knowledge directed towards modern agricultural production. 8 Agency for financial Duties of AFSARD are: support of agriculture - implementation of the measures for direct payment in and rural development agriculture; (AFSARD) - interventions in the agriculture products market; - implementation of the production quotas; - implementation of the rural development measures; - implementation of the EU funds from the pre-accession assistance for rural development; - implementation of the agriculture measures funded under the government assistance. Activities of AFSARD: - receiving, recording and processing of applications for financial support; - authorization of funds payment; - organization of financial and accounting activities; - internal audit; - organization, implementation and coordination of the administrative and technical controls and on-the-spot controls; - data collecting and processing; - keeping databases and registers; - preparation of reports and analyses. 9 Spatial Planning Agency - prepare spatial plan for the region STATE OWNED PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS 10 Public enterprise (PE) Full responsibility for management i.e. (silviculture, “Macedonian Forests”: [protection, harvesting…) of state owned non-protected forest - RO - Galichica – Ohrid within their region, based on prepared 10-years forest Study: Integrated Ecosystem Approach for the Lake Ohrid Basin as a Tool for Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources Page 18

- RO - Jablanica Struga management plans for the forest management units in the region 11 Public Institution - Full responsibility for integrated management of the National Park (PI - NP) protected area national park Galicia. “Galicica - Ohrid - Manages with the forest within the national park Galicica according to the forest management plan 12 PE for management of - Governing with the pastures pastures 13 JSC ELEM - "Macedonian - Regulation of water level of the Ohrid Lake through Power plants” controlled outflow in the town of Struga - responsible for the hydro power plants on the Crn Drim River (Globocica and Shpilje in MK): 14 Public Scientific - Performs monitoring over the three main natural lakes in Institution - PSI Republic of Macedonia. Hydrobiological Institute, - do limno-chemical and limno-biological monitoring and Ohrid monitors the changes in these ecosystems 14 Public health institution - - Continuously monitors sanitary-hygienic conditions in the PHI - Institute for public supply of safe drinking water, safety of natural mineral health: water, hygienic quality of surface waters used for bathing and recreation and wastewater, air quality and impact human health and the level of sanitation of the environment LOCAL GOVERNMENT 11. Local Municipality - Regulation and performance of affairs of public interest of Administration (LMA) local relevance, specified by law. - The Law also specifies the list of exclusive competences of the local self-government units, including environment and nature protection, protection from impacts for noises and unionized radiation, sewerage and treatment of public waste water, and collection, transport and treatment of public wastewater and collection, transport and treatment of municipal solid waste and technological waste; - Issue environmental permits type B NON PROFITABLE ORGANISATION 13. No-Profit Organizations - Support initiatives in the interest of the local communities (National and including sustainable development of agriculture and other International) local economic activities, preservation of biodiversity and awareness rising among local community. LOCAL USERS Concessioner for fishing - Control the implementation of legal requirements in terms and Fishermen’s of timing, equipments, seasons, etc; - Ensure implementation of legal provisions in terms of licensing and fisherman’s data delivery. - Implement restocking through national responsible authorities.

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Local land owners - Claim land ownership; - Benefit from tourism and infrastructure development; - Increase the economic profits from different activities. - Increase the number of livestock in line with; - Implement grazing quality and resources utilization; - Increase the production rate per hive unit; - Ensure marketing; - Increase number of tourists and visitors in the area; - Pay taxes for community services including waste management; - Expand their business activity.

4.4 Analysing of the relevant stakeholders on forest, water and agriculture

The two expert groups working in both Albanian and Macedonian side of the Lake Ohrid, the stakeholder analysis has been understood and defined as a methodology for gaining an understanding of a system, and for assessing the impact of changes to that system, by means of identifying the key stakeholders and assessing their respective interests. Basically, the key stakeholders in natural resource research are subsistence farmers and other small-scale natural resource users, but stakeholders may equally include development practitioners, policy makers, planners and administrators in government, commercial bodies or non- governmental organizations.

Stakeholder analysis is particularly relevant to the analysis of natural resource utilization and management due to that major issues are characterized by:

• Cross-cutting systems and stakeholder interests. Natural and physical systems, such as Lake itself and watershed, are frequently central to natural resource problems but cut across social, economic, administrative and political boundaries. Lake Ohrid is an perfect example of such an characterization. Since that is so, problems are likely to affect a large number of different stakeholders at local, regional and national levels with different agendas and sets of interests.

• Multiple uses and users of the resource. Different aspects of natural resources can be evaluated by valued by different stakeholders. Water, agriculture and forest resources easily are valued by exploitation and logging entities for the commercial use of certain resource and species, by local people for different species and products, by ecologists for the existence of integral watershed ecosystems (See Annex 3 and Annex 4).

• Multiple objectives. Natural resources are subject to potentially crucial differences between economic, social and environmental concerns and the best interests of different stakeholders. Potential differences include those between wider society and local people.

• Unclear or open-access property rights. Where traditional management systems are breaking down as a result of demographic, economic and political pressures, property rights are often unclear. In these situations the economically rational actions of individual resource users may not be compatible with community interests, leading to degradation.

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Syntheses analyze of relevant stakeholders in Albanian side on forest, water and agriculture is given in the Annex 3.

Syntheses analyze of relevant stakeholders in Macedonian side on forest, water and agriculture is given in the Annex 4.

4.5 Current governance structure in the project area

Looking to the past two decades the major transboundary cooperation on Lake Ohrid conservation issues started in 1998 with the Lake Ohrid Conservation Project and further on the Lake Ohrid Management Board was formed after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Albania and Macedonia in 1996. The “Agreement of the Protection and Sustainable Development of Lake Ohrid and its Watershed” between Albania and Macedonia was signed on 17 June 2004 and ratified in 2005. This resulted in founding of the Lake Ohrid Watershed Committee (LOWC) with legal authority over the entire Lake Ohrid watershed, i.e. in both countries. The LOWC-secretariat began to work in May 2006 in Ohrid. It provides general support to the LOWC and members from both countries and it is one of the organizations concerned with the Strategic Action Plan for management of the Lake Ohrid watershed. It was established in 2008 but is not yet implemented due to financial sources. The bilateral secretariat is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the major goals of the bilateral “Agreement on Protection and Sustainable Development of Lake Ohrid and its Watershed”.

4.5.1 Governance structure in Albania

The major components of natural resources targeted in this research are administered as following:

The forest areas are administrated by the former Directory of Forestry Service in Pogradec that is responsible for law enforcement covering forest management, forest use, fire forest control, pasture and meadows as a grazing grounds, etc. Currently the area is administrated through the Regional forestry Directory in Kor

Law no.8906, dated 6.6.2002 “On protectedҫa, area” through as amended, its Forestry distinguishes Section in Pogradec. six different categories of protected areas, corresponding to those of IUCN. Accordingly the Pogradec Terrestrial/Aquatic Territory Protected Landscape Area is protected under the fifth category. According to art.6/2 of the Law in the protected landscape shall be implemented the fourth level of protection.

The draft management plan covering the whole Pogradec Terrestrial/Aquatic Territory Protected Landscape Area has been prepared recently, while at present only sectoral management plans (e.g. forest management plan, Lake Fishery Management Plan) exist. The forest plan does not include nature conservation considerations and management.

At present the area is managed by the Directory of Forestry Service in Pogradec, composed by six persons. The forestry is divided in two forestry zones managed by two or three Forestry Police Inspectors and the head of the sector. The Directory of Forestry Services of Pogradec is responsible for law enforcement in the protected area.

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The mayors of the Communes, local NGOs, private sector representatives and residential population of the protected area have limited information related to the protected area, its administration and legal framework; co-operation among local stakeholders is also limited.

The Lake Fishery Management Plan includes sustainable exploitation of fish stocks and ecosystem and criteria for protecting the integrity of the unique fish diversity in the lake. The interaction between the different plans (regional spatial plans, master plans, protected areas management plans, etc.) is however not clear. Recently fishery sector moved from Ministry of Environment to Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Rural Development. At the local level Fishery Management Organization play an important role for this sector.

Following the Law on the Construction, Administration, Maintenance and Operation of Water and Drainage Systems, (No. 7846/1994), concerns the irrigation and drainage systems are the domains of irrigation and drainage board in Korca. Its implementation is under the responsibility of the MAFSRD. The 1999 Law for Irrigation and Drainage (No. 8518), which updates the Law of 1994, essentially provides for the decentralized management of irrigation and drainage infrastructure, and paves the way for their privatization or for concessions and management by water users’ associations.

4.5.2 Governance structure in Macedonia

The major components of natural resources targeted in this research are administered as following:

The Ministry of environment and physical planning is in charge of implementation of the protection and every aspect related to the natural heritage. On the other hand, the Ministry of Culture is in charge of the protection of the cultural heritage. Since in 1979 and 1980 a Management plan was not necessary for the nomination, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia prepared a Management plan for the natural and cultural heritage of the Ohrid region (2010). The Management plan regulates the measures and activities aimed at protection of the natural and cultural values, especially the biological diversity (the reason why Lake Ohrid was listed on the World Heritage List (UNESCO)) with the aim to meet the requirements for the future period.

The management of the world cultural and natural heritage of the Ohrid region is regulated under a Law on management of the world natural and cultural heritage of the Ohrid region which is in procedure. The Law, inter alias, determines that the Government of the Republic of Macedonia shall, upon a proposal of the Directorate for Environment and the Directorate for Protection of Cultural Heritage, adopt a Management plan for the world natural and cultural heritage of the Ohrid region. The Law determines the content and procedure for adoption and implementation of the plan, as well as the establishment of a body that will coordinate and monitor the realization of the activities defined within the Plan.

Since January 2011, the MEPP is the main central government authority in the water sector, especially in water management. At present, water management is situated within the Directorate for Environment in the sector of waters

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At present, responsibilities for water-related issues are still shared amongst several ministries like MAFWE, MTC, ME, MH and Municipalities. The Law on Water provides a basis for a consolidation in this sector, by stipulating transfer of competence to MEPP. MAFWE is in charge for both policy and inspection of management related to agricultural, rural development, forestry, hunting, fishing, seed and nursery production; plant protection etc. The MAFWE is also responsible for creation policy and monitoring work of regional water economies, water communities. Other bodies within the MAFWE in accordance to law are State phyto-sanitary directorate, State phyto-sanitary laboratory, Directorate for seed and planting material, State Agricultural Inspectorate and State forestry and hunting Inspectorate.

Within the MAFWE there are 20 sectors, out of them for agriculture, for vineyard, orchard; for agriculture land; for marketing and quality of agricultural products; for forestry and hunting, forest police guard etc.

Management of the state economy forests is under competence of PE Macedonian forests that consist of general directorate located in Skopje and 30 regional officers. out of them 2 regional offices are located in the Management of private and state forest regardless their purpose should be in accordance with general forest management plans adopted by the government of the Republic of Macedonia for a period of twenty years but this act hasn’t been adopted yet Each subject that manage forest with area more than 100 ha is obliged to prepare forest management plans, with duration of ten years.

These plans are approved by the MAFWE while control for performed activities from the action plans is done by the Forest Inspectorate. Agency for promotion and development of agriculture: National extension – Bitola, Regional units in Ohrid and Struga: provides direct advisory assistance to independent individual farmers, by providing practical implementation of certain technologies, that is, providing technical information related to the agricultural production process compiled as technical responses to questions, aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of agricultural production

"Macedonian Power plants" is responsible for the hydro power plants on the Crn Drim River (Globochica and Shpilje): water level of the Ohrid Lake is regulated by controlled outflow near the town of Struga Ministry of transport and communications through its Harbour aauthority in Ohrid performs work related to technical and professional work in the field of inner waterways navigation security in the Republic of Macedonia.

The Hydro-biological Institute is independent public scientific institution on and is subordinated to the Ministry of Education and Science. The Institute performs monitoring over the three main natural lakes in Republic of Macedonia for the main environmental parameters and ecosystem functioning.

5. Assessment of the natural resources management in the protected area and the related institutional framework

Data SWOT analyses for the Albanian side are given in the Annex 5.

Data SWOT analyses for the Macedonian side are given in the Annex 6.

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5. 1. Assessment of values in Albanian site of the lake watershed 5.1.1. Ecological values and biodiversity

Ohrid/Pogradec Lake has a high biodiversity value. The lake is known for the presence of rare species and of a large number of endemic species. The lake has also a high national and international value because of specific cultural heritance present in the area. The Albanian site of the catchment includes two overall different ecosystems; the terrestrial and the aquatic. The area comprises a high diversity of habitats ranging from different forest types due to altitudinal gradients and slopes orientated north, east, south and west. This gives rise to a high diversity of habitats in the area.

According to MoE (2013) the habitats in the area give rise to a diverse community of flora and fauna. Vertebrates are present by all groups as are fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Forest habitats: There are several vegetation levels within Albanian part of the watershed that are based on climatic and bio-physical conditions of the area. Oak forests dominate the eastern hills of the protected landscape area and the foot hills of both southeast and western side of the basin. The significant species include: Quercus frainetto, Q. Pubescens, Q. Trojana, Q. Petrea, Q.cerris, Carpinus orientalis, Ostrya carpinifolia, Fraxinus ornus, Prunus spinosa, Acer campestre etc. Currently due loggings and forest overuse considerable parts of these habitats are degraded and the forest habitat has changed into evergreen shrubs of Juniperus foetidissima, J. Oxycedrus and Buxus sempervirens. Considerable parts of the forests areas within basin, currently are represented by secondary native forest and partially by no-native forest thanks to the reforestation Pinus nigra.

At elevations higher than 1200 m in the hills west to the lake, the landscape is characterized by degraded beech forest of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica), common hazel (Corylus avellana) and the oriental hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis). Also this forest type is strongly influenced by timber harvest and fire-wood collection and partly degraded into juniper scrubland.

The upper part of the mountainous massifs is characterized by mountain and alpine vegetation between the 1800 and 2288 m. Main land use is related to livestock and collection of medicinal and aromatic herbs. Alpine and subalpine meadows are characteristic and part of watershed terrestrial flora. Alpine meadows are dominated mainly by the Arabis alpina, Aster alpinus, Achilea atrata, Nardus stricta, while the subalpine meadows are dominated mainly by Juniperus communis, Vaccinum myrtillus, Potentilla erecta, etc.

Alpine and subalpine meadows offers a vast range of species, most of which are utilized for their curative values. Most common medicinal herbs are Gentiana lutea, Urtica dioica, Origanum vulgare, Thymus serpyllum, Trifolium campestre, Rosa canina, Salvia officinalis, etc. Following MoE (2013) the shrub lands provide an important wintering habitat for many bird species which breed at higher altitudes and move down to shrub lands to escape bad weather. The typical birds are Sylvia atricapilla, Sylvia melanocephala, Emberiza spp, Cettia cetti, etc. During spring-summer seasons shrubs support a range of species of birds, such as Sylvia cantillans, Hippolais pallida, etc. During migration, shrubs are also used as stop-over grounds for other species such as Hoopoe - Upupa epops, Merops apiaster, Jynx torquilla, Turdus merula, etc.

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Avifauna in transitional woodlands (wood vegetation between shrubs and high forests) are dominated by Passeriformes. The most characteristic are Sylvia spp, Erithacus rubecula, Troglodytes troglodytes, Upupa epops, Emberiza spp, Regulus regulus and R. ignicapillus, Carduelis carduelis, Turdus merula, and Garrulus glandarius. Mixed broadleaved stands host a number of characteristic bird species, such as woodpeckers, Picus viridis, Dendrocopos syriacus, Dendrocopos minor, Parus major, Parus caerueleus, Parus lugubris.

Bats are presented mainly by Myotis nattereri, Nyctalus leisleri, Rhinolophus ferruequinum, R. blasii.Other and more common mammals in the protected area of Pogradec Lake are beach marten (Martes foina), badger (Meles meles), weasel (Mustela nivalis), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), hare (Lepus europeus), hedgehog (Erinacues concolor), dormice (Glis glis, Muscardinus avellanarius), wood mice (Apodemus flavicollis, A. sylvaticus, A. mystacinus), shrews (Crocidura sp), moles (Talpa stankovici) and voles (Microtus sp).

Amphibians and reptiles are common in the watershed area. They are connected with different habitats during their lifecycle; especially aquatic habitats for reproduction and other functions. Easier can be observed (MoE, 2013), common species as northern crested newt (Triturus cristatus) , smooth newt (T. Vulgaris), fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra), Yellow- Bellied Toad (Bombina variegata), Balcan frog (Rana balcanica), agile frog (Rana dalmatina), Greek stream frog (Rana graeca), green toad (Bufo viridis), European tree frog (Hyla arborea), European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and grass snake (Natrix natrix). Most common terrestrial reptiles of Pogradec Terrestrial/Aquatic Territory Protected Landscape Area are common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), European green lizard (Lacerta viridis), Hermann's tortoise (Testudo Hermanni), etc. Other reptiles are horn viper (Vipera amodytes), and colubrid snakes (Coluber spp.).

The vegetation play an important role functioning as biological and mechanical filters of varies organic and inorganic pollutants. The aquatic vegetation is also of a great importance in erosion and water flow control. Further, the vegetation establishes a native habitat for different invertebrate and vertebrate species, and functions as breeding ground for many fishes and protective place from predators.

The benthic fauna of the Lake comprises a high density and variety of species. Archaic, endemic and rare species are encountered in the area and the lake is famous for this. The round sponge Ochridospongia rotunda is found only in Pogradec Lake and is an endemic and rare species. The most common and abundant group are Gastropods (snails), and most of them in the lake are endemic species. High level of endemism is also represented in other taxons, such as triclads, (Tricladida), worms (Oligochaeta), Leeches (Hirudinea), seed shrimp (Ostracoda), malacostracan crustaceans (Amphipoda) and peracarid crustaceans (Isopoda).

Main species in the Ohrid Lake are: Lake trout (Pastrmka/Koran), Belushka/Belvica, Common carp, Barbell, Scobust, Bleak, Rutilus rubilio. Actually there are 300 fishermen around the lake area. Out of them only 73 are from Pogradec municipality. The rest is located in the villages surrounding the lake. Only 13 fishermen, out of the existing 300, are licensed in Pogradec municipality. All the others are unlicensed and can be considered as illegally fishing.

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5.1.2. Assessment of natural resources management

Agriculture and farming: The agriculture in the area is characterized by a low intensity with limited use of pesticides and mechanic equipment, and includes crop production and livestock breeding. The lands used for agriculture are irrigated using Pogradec Lake water via pumping stations. During summer the pastures are used for livestock grazing and breeding. Animals of high productivity and authentic breeds are raised in the area. Milk and meat production from livestock are important factors for the local and regional economy.

Livestock breeding and the dairy production is practiced in the traditional old ways using simple methods at family level, which in some cases affect the quality and the safety of the product. Product quality improvement, better processing technology and certification of local products would increase the quality of farming products giving the possibility of future economic development in the sector. Livestock graze manly in abandoned areas. Grazing fee is not collected by local administration. This could be a possible source of funds for local administrations to be used for improving the management of the area in the future. Cultivation of hazelnut and wine production are common activities in the area, however the quantities obtained are limited due to the old technologies utilised. The quality of the products is also affected by the use of these old techniques. The hazelnut as well is considered as a resource. The beekeeping is practiced in the area and honey products provide an income for the local people. Traditional wine production is a very common practice as well.

Through the marketing and certification of local organic products, benefits could be achieved for the local communities within the agricultural sector. Fishing: The fishing in Pogradec Lake is an important mean of income for local population. The Order No. 17, date 15.1.2003, establishes a semi-public organization: the Fishery Management Organization (FMO) as responsible for the management of fishery in a co-management process with the Fishery Directorate. There are 107 members of the FMO at today. The fishermen are distributed along the lake shore: at Lin 12 fishing boats, Piskupat 13, Udenisht 44, Memelisht 13 and Pogradec 25. Besides the 107 members, there are also licensed fishermen. Together they approximately 220 active fishermen operate in the Pogradec Lake. In addition, there are also large group of unlicensed fishermen currently active. The fish is traded in the area by middlemen between the fishermen and mainly the local market formed by restaurants and hotels. The fishery boats are typically 4 m long with wooden hulls and are operated by the owner and a family member, engines are 4-10 HP, and gears include blinkers and nets. The lack of ecological awareness and the low level of income among fishermen are some of the reasons hampering the introduction of new fishing techniques and practices, and more in general limiting the implementation of current legislation in the fishery sector.

Based on the evaluations of the Draft MP for the landscape PA of Pogradec (MoE, 2013), the chestnut forest of Castanea sativa dominate the north facing slopes south to Pogradec and Bucimas city mainly in the hills near Pogradec, Verdova, Geshtenjas and Leshnica at an average altitude between 700 and 1000 m. In this area most of the larger trees have been cut and the forest has now changed into a coppice forest system. The chestnut species is known for important natural and commercial values. The forests have traditionally been managed mainly for the production of nuts.

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Table 4. List of protected natural sites in project area (Albania) Sites name Coordinates IUCN category Pogradec LPA 405308/204911 V 405403/204247 Driloni Springs III III Guri i Kamjes 405006/204242 III Tectonic massif Pogradec 410305/203806 III The Cave of Mëmlishtit 405607/203810 III The Cave of Sh. Marena 405346/203116 III The Cave of Najazma 405353/204322 III Llënga Canyon 405347/203006 III Chinar tree Tushemisht 405353/204322 III The Oak tree Leshnica 405106/204218

Table 5. List of protected natural sites in project area (Macedonia)

LOCALITY Geographical coordinates IUCN Category National Park Galichica 40°59'N/20°52'E II Ohrid Lake 41°00' N/20°45' E III Vevchani Springs 41°14' 19 N/20°35' 17 E III

Macedonian Oak 40°57' 36N/20°46' 58 E III

Duvalo 41°10' 10 N/20°50' 13 E III

Cave Mlechnik 41°16' 34 N/20°38' 14 E III

Platan, Kalishta 41°08' 39 N/20°38' 59 E III

Sini Viroi (Belchista wetland) 41°18' 56.74”N/2°49' 07. III 30”E Cypress tress City of Ohrid III

Pinus halepensis trees City of Ohrid III

Old platanus City of Ohrid III

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The most significant item in the region is National Park Galicica that is situated on Mount Galicica, that is a part of the mountain range of Shara-Pind. Due to its exceptional natural beauty and extremely opulent and endemic flora and fauna, in 1958 the Macedonian section of the mountain was proclaimed a National Park. The Park covers an area of 227 km2 between the Lakes of Ohrid and Prespa, and it stretches in a meridian direction. Primarily the park includes mountainous terrain, but it also includes the shorelines of the Lakes Ohrid and Macro Prespa as well as the only island of the Republic of Macedonia - Golem Grad. The boundaries are not yet exactly defined and even the exact size is not known. About 11% of the park area is privately owned land. National Park Galicica has a high biodiversity value.The flora in the NPG covers more than 800 species, among which there are numerous relict and endemic forms whose farthest limit of distribution is Mount Galicica itself. The presence of eleven local endemic forms discovered so way is quite remarkable. These forms exist only on the slopes of the Mount Galicica, and are clear evidence of the specific floral structure of the mountain. It should be underlined that there is an on-going intensive research of the flora in the Park. There are indications of an even greater number of endemic forms.

The flora in the park is extremely rich and unique. There has been recorded over a thousand plant species, of which 176 of forest flora representing 58.4% of Macedonian native tree species. For the protection of the flora of particular importance is the presence of a large number of relics. The most important are those that come from pliocenic that survived the four periods of the Pleistocene ice, such as: Morina persica, Stipa mayeri, Ramonda nathaliae and Phelipaea boissieri and others. Also, there are a lot of endemic species. The Galicica present several types of endemic species: a) Balkan endemic species - whose number is so large that the accounts would mean a listing of most of the species found on Galichica b) Southern Balkan endemic species - whose number is very large, and special attention is given to : Ajuga piskoi, Erodium guicciardii, Oxytropis purpurea, Astragalus baldaccii, Poa galicicae, Lilium heldreichii, Arabis bryoides and many other c) Local endemic species - that can be found only on the slopes of Galicica and nowhere else. Their number is currently 1, but according to current indications and intensity of studying the flora in the National Park their numbers in future increments . Local endemics are: Centaurea soskae, Crocus cvijici, Laserpitium ochridanum, Astragalus mayeri, Helichrysum zivojinii, Nepeta ernesti-mayeri, Alyssum galicicae, Thymus ciliatopubescens, Thymus skopjansis, Geranium cinereum, ssp. subcaulescens var. rupestris, Echinops bannaticus ssp. Prespaensis, Centaurea galicicae, Dianthus galicicae and Sempervivum galicicum. Sideritis raeseri -known as mauntain tea is threatened species that need sustainable use.

The forests of Galicica are quite diverse. In the lowland we can find thermophilous deciduous forests that are composed of various oak species (Quercus cerris, Q. frainetto, Q. petraea, Q. trojana). These forests reach an altitude up to 1200/1400 m. Above them there appear beech forests that thrive up to a timber line at the altitude of 1900 m. We can find also some other forest types: Carpinus betulus dominated forest in the valleys, Corylus colurna, Acer obtusatum, and Ostrya carpinifolia dominated forests in ravines, Salix alba dominated forest along the rivers and streams. In the analysis we include also the Juniperus communis dominated shrub community that is a stage of afforestation in the area of beech forests. In the lowland we can find Quercus frainetto dominated forests (Quercetum frainettocerris)that occupy deep and propitious sites. The vegetation belt above the Quercus frainetto forests is built by Quercus cerris, that can be divided into two associations, one on the deeper soil horizon over silicate Study: Integrated Ecosystem Approach for the Lake Ohrid Basin as a Tool for Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources Page 28

bedrock (Fraxino orni-Quercetum cerris)and the other on shallow soils, where the carbonate outcrops are visible on the surface (Ostryo-Quercetum cerris). Above Quercus cerris dominated forests, in contact with the beech forest, we can find a very fragmented belt of Quercus petraea dominated forests (Fraxino orni-Quercetum petraeae).

There exist also some other thermophilous forests mainly with non-zonal character(azonal, extrazonal or intrazonal). Carpinus orientalis dominated forests can be found next to the lakes, where the local climate is mitigated by the proximity of a water body(Phillyreo-Carpinetum orientalis). Above these forests we can find Ostrya carpinifolia dominated forests: in the upper part of a belt of thermophilous forests, on the steep southern slopes, Ostrya is mixed by Quercus pubescens (Querco pubescentis-Ostryetum), whereas the pure Ostrya carpinifolia dominated forests (Seslerio-Ostryetum) appear in the zone of beech forests. Quercus trojana dominated forests (Quercetum trojanae) can be found on extreme warm sites in the vegetation belt of oak forests. However on the most extreme sites in the region, in the sense of thermicity, we can find Juniperus excelsa dominated forests (Pruno webii-Juniperetum excelsae and Querco trojanae-Juniperetum excelsae). Along the rivers, Salix dominated forests can be found (Salicetum albae); in the ravines, Acer obtusatum dominated forests (Corylo colurnae- Aceretum) can be found at lower altitude, whereas at higher altitude, partly already in the zone of beech forets, Ostrya carpinifolia dominated forests (Corylo colurnae-Ostryetum) appear, and in the valleys

Carpinus betulus dominated forests (Corylo colurnae-Carpinetum betuli). In the zone of beech forests, the most widespread is the montane beech forest Calamintho grandiflorae-Fagetum sylvaticae. In the lower part of this zone, there exists a thermophilous beech forest Festuco heterophyllae-Fagetum sylvaticae. It seems that Festuco heteropyllae-Fagetum is more a stage of succession than a forest type forming the submontane belt of beech forests. Above Calamintho grandiflorae-Fagetum, there appear altimontane beech forests that are codominated by Abies borisii-regis (Abieti borisii-regis- Fagetum sylvaticae), and on the upper sites Asyneumo pichleri-Fagetum sylvaticae that form the timber line in the region. Within these forests we can find the ravine forests (Corylo colurnae- Ostryetum) and thermophilous beech forests (Aceri obtusati-Fagetum) on the steep, southern slopes.

The fauna on Galicica is also prolific and diverse. There are no precise data about the number of invertebrate species. Vertebrates are present with 170 species: 10 amphibians, 18 reptiles, 124 birds, and 18 mammals.

The number of butterfly’s species is 1644 species, which is an enormous concentration on such a small space. According to the numerous representations of amphibian and reptiles, the NPG is close to the level of presence of the herpethofauna on the entire territory of certain central European countries (Germany, Switzerland, Austria, etc.).

The total number of spider species recorded so far in the territory of the park is set on 270 species. Endemic group consisting of 15 taxa from which two species Zora prespaensis, Xysticus tenebrosus ohridensis are local endemic and the remaining 13 are Balkan endemics (Dysdera pectinata, Dysderocrates storkani, Centromerus acutidentatus, Lepthyphantes centromeroides, Palliduphantes byzantinus, Palliduphantes speleorum, Palliduphantes trnovensis, Pachygnatha clerckoides, Tegenarea paragamiani, Chiracanthium macedonicum, Zodarion ohridense, Xysticus macedonicus and Pellenes moreanus).

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The total number of species of Insects in the park is 2.328. There are a lot of endemic species especially from the order of butterflies.

The total number of butterflies observed within the park, climb to 1597 species, which is about 70% of the fauna of butterflies of Macedonia exceptional species richness of such a restricted area. (composed of 2289 ѕpecies). This is an Tabel 6. List of protected cultural monuments within project area

Ohrid Debrca Struga Total 1 Monument group 1 1

2 Items type 135 23 66 224 2.1 Churches and monasteries 22 8 7 37 2.2 Historical monuments 9 9 18 2.3 Old urban architecture 78 52 130 2.4 Islamic architecture 8 2 10 2.5 Archeological locality 18 6 5 29

5.2 Ecological, and biodiversity values of the Ohrid Lake

Lake Ohrid and its watershed is a major European biodiversity hotspot (Stankovi´c, 1960) and an outstanding example of a lake with a broad spectrum of endemic taxa that currently faces an increasing anthropogenic pressure from both littoral countries, Albania and Macedonia. Lake itself is shared by the Macedonia and Albania. Taking surface area into account, Lake Ohrid is even considered to be one of the most diverse ancient lakes in the world with regard to the number of endemic species (Albrecht and Wilke, 2008). Lake Ohrid and its surroundings have been listed by UNESCO since 1979/1980 as Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region”. Due to lack of political relationship of that time the UNESCO nomination was not considering entire Lake including the Albanian side, a process that has been initiated in September 2013 also for the Albanian side and hopefully that final completed stage will follow in coming years. Beside the efforts, unfortunately, increasing evidence for a “creeping biodiversity crisis” has accumulated over the last decades (Tocko and Sapkarev, 1978; Wilke and Albrecht, 2007; Albrecht and Wilke, 2008), and major socio-political changes have gone along with human- mediated environmental changes (Watzin et al., 2002). These developments increase the need for a new comprehensive assessment of threats and respective conservation strategies for Lake Ohrid.

5.3 Socio-economic values, structure, income and employment, agri- businesses

The region of Ohrid basin has a long history and a significant cultural heritage, while evidence of human settlement dates back more than 9,000 years. In 1980, the Macedonian side of Lake Ohrid was designated as a “site of cultural and natural values of the global patrimony” under UNESCO. The population of the Ohrid Lake watershed comprises about 61256, residents in the Macedonian part, and about 61,000 residents in the Albanian part. The total population has

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been increased 5 or 6 times since the end of World War II. Most of them live in large towns, but there are also many small villages and communities scattered throughout the watershed in both countries. In table 7 are given some of the socio economic data for the Ohrid lake basin.

Social and economic problems and primarily unemployment and/or underemployment are high in both parts of the basin and is equal or above the national rates. In Albania, according to data compiled by the Albanian Institute of Statistics in 1998, between 28 and 46 percent of the working age population in the Ohrid basin is practically unemployed. In the Albanian side, the most important economic activity is agriculture. The pastureland is used for a variety of livestock, as well as for harvesting medical plants - 100 species of plants are gathered for medical uses. In the FYR Macedonian side, agriculture is less important in terms of economic activities practiced. The pastureland supports a variety of livestock.

Tourism is an important activity in the area despite the decline that has been observed in the past. Since 1991, the foreign tourists’ overnight stays had been reduced up to 70 percent, due to political instability. However, an increase in tourist arrivals in the region is most likely to occur since stability continues to prevail in the region. Ohrid is a primary tourist destination for Macedonia. Beside that the data on employed people in the sectors or GDP share are not available, fishing seems to be a significant activity at least in terms of pressure exerted to the Lake system, leading to the deterioration of fish populations, particularly the more commercial ones.

Table 7. Land use in the Ohrid lake project area (Albanian side)

% of Land Cover Area [ha] total Agricultural land 2, 500 10,07 Forest + woodland 10, 248 41,28 Grasslands/pasture/shrubs 1,367 5,5 Other 13,208 53,2 Total 24,823 100,00

There are 33 villages within communes that are part of project focus area, as following Buçimas: 8, Cerave: 10, Hudenisht: 6 and Dardhas: 9 villages.

Table 8. Basic facts about LSG unites in the project area

Municipality/ Area, Population, Population density, commune km2 people inh./km²

Pogradec 2.27 20 848 9182.5 Buçimas 48.10 15 687 326.1 Çëravë 64.53 7 009 108.6 Hudenisht 67.00 5 990 89.4 Dardhas 81.70 2 182 26.7 Totali 263.60 51716 196.2 Source: Population: census 2011; Population density: Statistical Atlas of Albania, instatgis.gov.al;

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Table 9. Basic facts about municipalities in the project area

Municipality/ Area, Population Agriculture land Population density commune km2 ha inh./km² Pogradec 3.47 20 848 6008.1 Buçimas 65.35 15 687 1408 240.1 Çëravë 82.67 7 009 2092 84.8 Hudenisht 67.99 5 990 451 88.1 Dardhas 78.96 2 182 737 27.6 Totali 298.44 51716 173.3 Source: http://www.citypopulation.de/php/albania

According to RCRD (2013), in the area under study, pesticide use has declined by about 50% (9.6 kg/ha/yr) compared to the levels used before 1990 (18.3 kg/ha/yr). They are mainly constituted by copper sulphate, synthetic fungicides, organo-phosphate, pyrethrum, etc.

Table 10. Types of agriculture farms

Commune

Total Crop with livestock Crop without livestock With field crops Withtree crops With fallow Buçimas 2497 1280 704 525 128 1088 Çëravë 3776 1890 1154 1025 201 1644 Hudenisht 962 426 268 250 24 511 Dardhas 2158 250 200 375 47 1421

One factor for the relative low rate of pesticide usage can be explained by the high average pesticide prices to farmers (and diminishing marginal returns to pesticide use), but also the high rate of adoption of non-chemical pest control management practices. However, a change in pesticide use may not be equivalent to a change in the associated risks because of the great variance in risks posed by different products. New herbicide products on the market are much more biologically active than their predecessors and therefore used in much smaller quantities. By contrast, the greater use of pesticides which carry a lower risk to humans and the environment because they are more narrowly and accurately targeted or degrade more rapidly, might also not reveal any change in overall pesticide use trends, and possibly even an increase.

Table 11. Area treated with fertilizers and pesticides

Commune Area treated with Area treated with pesticides in ha fertilizers in ha Inorganic Organic herbicides insecticides fungicides rodenticides Buçimas 1200 550 56 460 230 Çëravë 1800 620 41 1092 560 60 Hudenisht 380 150 35 265 50

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Dardhas 640 252 34 270 60

Table 12. Fertilizers and pesticides used

Commune Organic fertilizers, total Inorganic fertilizers, Pesticides, total in kg in kv total in kv

Buçimas 110000 5600 4600 Çëravë 124000 8150 5200 Hudenisht 30000 1700 2300 Dardhas 52000 2650 2700

In the following section are given data about main facts related to municipalities around Lake Ohrid on Macedonian side.

Table 13. Basic facts about municipalities in the project area

Municipality Area Population Population density km2 citizens cit./km2 Ohrid 399 55749 139,7 Debarca 425 5507 12,9 Struga 469 63367 135,1 Vevcani 35 2433 69,5 Total 1328 127056 95,7

Total 127056 inhabitants live in the project area, out of them 61256 in the Ohrid and Debarca part of the watershed. In the villages in the lake watershed that belong to the Struga municipality liveca 10 000 inhabitants, while in the city of Struga live 36892 inhabitants. Ohrid municipality cover territory of town of Ohrid and 29 villages. The only town in the municipality of Struga is Struga. Besides Struga, there are additional 50 villages. Debarca is rural municipality and consists of 30 villages. Vevchani is rural municipality too, and cover territory of the village Vevchani. Vevchani and Debarca are fully rural areas. Within the Ohrid municipality, cca 82% of the population live in the city of Ohrid, while cca 10000 are rural population. On the other hand within municipality of Struga 25% is urban population, whie 75% of the population live in rural settlements.

Table 14. CORINE Land cover in the project area (Macedonian side)

% of Land Cover Area [ha] total Agricultural land 31598 23,89 Forest + woodland 80358 60,77 Grasslands/pasture/shrubs 14771 11,17 Other 5512 4,17 Total 132238 100,00

Agriculture and farming: With the spatial plan of Prespa-Ohrid region, is planned an increase of agricultural production. Until 2020, in Ohrid region, in terms of agricultural production, significant place will go to fruits with emphasis on production of apple, pear, cherry, peach,

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plum, nuts and berries (strawberry, raspberry and blackberry). The production of vine will keep in the current frame. From field crops dominate wheat and corn, and rye and oats will be represented in symbolic surfaces. From the garden crops will be grown peppers and tomato, potato, onion, peas and cabbage, and the forage clover, alfalfa, vetch, livestock feed peas and beets.

By 2020, Struga municipality will be represented with fruits such as: apple, pear, plum, strawberry cherry and peach, of which the best results gives the nut. For the raspberry crop there is a good perspective since it requires higher altitude and "rich" moisture air. Because of small areas of farmland, field cultures will be represented to a lesser extent namely: wheat, rye and oats and corn. From vegetable crops it is predicted: potato, tomato, onion, peas, cabbage, cucumber and watermelon. In the planning period in the municipality Debarca will grow the following fruit crops: apple, pear, plums, nuts, strawberries, raspberries and cherries. From the field crops will be included: wheat and barley, and most dominant will be corn. From vegetable crops will dominate clean potatoes as seed, and then peas, peppers, onions, garlic, cucumbers, cabbage and tomatoes. The development of fruit growing in the municipality Vevchani in the planning period will be based on growing: apple, pear, walnut and berries. From the field crops will be grown: corn, wheat, barley and potatoes. Garden crops will be represented by carry- crops like beans, tomatoes and pepper. Data about agricultural land is very precise and there is a data on a parcel level. Tabular data exist from the census of agriculture.

Table 15. Area treated with fertilizers and pesticides

Area treated with Area treated with pesticides fertilizers in ha in ha Inorganic Organic herbicides insecticides fungicides rodenticides manure manure Vevcani 22,40 31.84 2.22 3.72 8.33 0.15 Debarca 127.90 346.34 629.78 8628.18 261.04 0.02 Ohrid 971.84 250.37 430.44 1047.36 823.84 4.82 Struga 3350.19 944.32 4960.30 7240.35 178.04 3.11

Table 16. Household members working on individual agricultural economies by main activity

Total

d

Breeding and crops plantations Breeding animals crops Breeding combination with growing animals Agricultur1al services hunting and growing wild animals Breeding an use of forests The catch and growing fish Vevcani 742 296 8 433 5 - - - Debarca 4457 2075 74 2199 63 17 18 11 Ohrid 7306 4483 195 2526 81 5 13 3 Struga 14836 6570 620 7318 265 10 47 6

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Forestry

Forests and woodland cover 80358 ha or 60,77% of the project area. All forests are encompassed in forest management plans. Regarding to the ownership, dominate state owned forests. According to the data from PEMF, private forest in region cover 1661 ha, while in Struga-Vevchani region 4700 ha. State owned forests in the region are managed by PE Macedonian Forests through its regional branch offices in Ohrid (Galicica ) and Struga (Jablanica). Only small part of the forest in the northwest part of the region is managed by branch office in Debar (3000ha). Forest within the protected area NP Galicica is managed by national park itself. Protected area monument of nature “Vevchani springs” is managed by the municipality of Vevcani.

Table 17. Forest distribution per silvicultural type in the Macedonian part of the project region

PI National Park PEMF Galichica- PEMF Jablanica Galicica- Ohrid Ohrid Struga (total area)

ha % ha % ha % high 14.846 29,58 6059 31,07 382 2,77 coppices 35.347 70,42 13443 68,93 8.241 59,81 shrubs 0 0,00 0 0,00 5.156 37,42 total 50.193 100,00 19.502 100 13.779 100

Total wood mass in the project region is 5186638 m3 or 93,5 m3/ha. Total annual yield is 114 243 m3 or 2,06 m3/ha that is near the average value of the RM. According to the wood mass, about 51 % of the forests under competences of PEMF Galicica- Ohrid are high forests while 49 % are coppices. Forests in the Struga region are with lower quality are managed by PEMF Jablanica Struga, 34 % are high forests, 64 % coppices and 2 % young plantations. Forests within the national park Galicica are dominantly coppices, woodland and shrubs, while percentage of high forests wood mass is so low. Wood mass in high forests is absolutely dominantly by beech everywhere in the region. Related to the coppices, participant of beech and oak forest wood mass is equal.

5.4 Assessment of the Institutional Framework

ALBANIA

The Ministry of Environment, (MoE) is the main responsible institution for the administration of protected areas in Albania. The MoE is also one of the main executing authorities in the relevant area through Directorate of Forest and Biodiversity (DFB) and its District Forest Service (DFS), as well as Fishery Directorate (FD). Directorate of Forest and Biodiversity through DFS is the administrator of Forest and Pasture resources, also including protected areas. They issue licenses for forest harvesting and pasture use. District Forest Service is responsible for administration of fishery activities, and issues licenses for fishery and aquaculture activities. The district directories are responsible for administration, protection, following of implementation of management plans and annual programs of monitoring and bio-monitoring. Further, they issue and collect fines, publish annual data and reports, and shall collaborate with environmental NPOs, local government and other interested parties on awareness campaigns related to the protected areas.

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The Directorate of Forest and Biodiversity (Section of Protected Areas and National Park Sector) within MoE is responsible for the drafting of legislation on protection and the administration of protected areas and Ramsar sites; identification and enforcement of rules and measures related to administration of these areas; their categorization in accordance with IUCN criteria, and the identification of new zones and procedures for their designation.

The same Directorate is also responsible for a national database on protected areas and for the implementation of obligations coming from conventions and multilateral agreements related to protected areas. Further, the Directorate has a coordinative role in the designation of new protected areas and the preparation of management plans. In these contexts Pogradec Landscape Protected area is under the administration of District Forest Service Pogradec.

Ministry of Agriculture, Food security and Rural development (MoAFSRD) is another important executing authority in the area. Through the Water Irrigation Board it is responsible for administration of water resources used for irrigation and issues licenses to water user associations to use those resources for irrigation purposes. Through the directories of Veterinary Service and Food Safety this ministry control and manage many activities related to agriculture, farming and protection of consumers.

Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism (MUDT) issues licenses to tourism operators in case they want to build up tourism infrastructure and facilities in areas identified for tourism development. Pogradec Lake zone, especially in its south-eastern coast, has been identified as priority zone for tourism development by several national and local documents related to tourism development.

The Council of Ministers is the highest body entrusted with approval of urban planning studies, master plans and regional plans, needed to account for environmental planning, procedures for the proclamation of protected and buffer zones.

Other government institutions and inter-ministerial committees involved in the lake development and management are the National Council of Waters, Council of Aquiferous (River) Basins, Council of Territory Adjustment, Albanian Geological Survey.

Other developments regarding administration and management of the lake are the establishment of a Bilateral Commission Albania–FYROM; the Working Groups on Lake Management, Lake Preservation, Promotion and Tourism, Legislation and Planning, Monitoring and Research; establishment of a governmental Lake Management Committee and a Bilateral Secretariat.

Local government authorities consist in the Qark of Korça, Municipality of Pogradec as well as in several Communes. Based on the Law on Organization and Functioning of Local Government (2000) extensive rights are reserved to the local level. These institutions are responsible for the design of local environmental action plans in accordance with national environmental strategies. They also have the right to undertake any initiative for economic development in the interest of its residents, provided that these activities do not contradict the fundamental government policies. The educational and scientific bodies involved in the protection and preservation of the lake’s environment are the University of Korça, Agriculture University of Tirana, and University of Tirana.

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The main international organizations that have been supporting the lake’s preservation and management are the World Bank, Global Environment Facility (GEF), German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), German Development Bank (KfW)

Community organizations and NGOs also play an active role in lake conservation and management.

Another institution in the management of protected areas is the PTATPLA Management Committee (MC). Its role and responsibilities are stipulated in the DCM No.86, dated 11.2.2005 “On the Establishment of Protected Areas Management Committees”.

The Forest Service has the role of technical secretariat for the Management Committee. The MC`s shall meet not less than twice a year in sessions open to the public.A special issue is the Law on transboundary lakes. It is still not very clear the responsibility of different authorities in managing the transboundary lakes, concretely between the fishery, forestry (administrators of PA) and water management authorities.

MACEDONIA

The MEPP is responsible for implementation of the Environmental Law. The Ministry is responsible for: Monitoring the state of the environment; Protection of water, soil, flora, fauna, air against pollution and the ozone layer; Protection against noise, radiation, protection of biodiversity, geo-diversity, national parks and protected areas; Restoration of polluted parts of the environment; Proposing measures for the treatment of solid waste; Spatial planning; Spatial Information System; Oversight of its jurisdiction and Performs other duties prescribed by law.

The MEPP is in charge for preparing Prepares new, improves and proposes changes to the existing legislation, in accordance with European Union and monitoring their implementation through state environmental inspectorate. Ministry is also responsible for implementation of sectoral strategies and policies of nature and environment protection including management of protected areas/unit, soil and water protection. Responsible for water law implementation too. MEPP prepares the necessary documentation for participation and membership in organization, conventions, protocols and agreements in their areas of competences.

MAFWE is responsible body for management of agriculture land, forestry and other natural resources; hunting and fishing; maintenance and improvement of the water regime; drainage systems; research of meteorological, hydrological and bio-meteorological phenomena and processes. These activities are cared through Phyto-sanitary Directorate for Plant Protection; Directorate of water and irrigation, State Inspectorate for Agriculture and Fishing and State Inspectorate for Forestry and Hunting.

MAFWE is preparing the policy and legal acts in accordance with European Union; It carries out the inspection and monitoring of implementation of legislation related to forest management and hunting through state inspectorates for; forestry and hunting; Prepares and monitor the implementation of sectoral strategies and policies of agriculture, forestry and rural development.

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Agency for promotion and development of agriculture located in Bitola have regional units in Ohrid and Struga. It is responsible for providing professional assistance on agricultural holdings in order to increase the quality, quantity and profitability of agricultural production optimization of available resources and their better utilization.

In Ministry of Culture is the seat of National Commission for UNESCO (NCU) that shares responsibilities with the MoEPP in the implementation of the Management Plan for the cultural and natural heritage of the Ohrid region

Agency for spatial planning is self-financing governmental institution. This body APP is formed as an efficient service by the Government in strategic planning and aims the Harmonization of methodology and technology in planning following European trends; It foster scientific approach, teamwork and stimulate scientific and vocational training;

Local municipality administration (Ohrid, Debrca, Struga and Vevcani) is following the eenvironmental and nature protection, undertakes measures to protect and prevent pollution of water, air, soil etc. They are responsible for planning local economic development, determining the structural and developmental priorities of running local economic policies, support the development of small and medium enterprise and entrepreneurship at the local level and in this context, participation in the establishment and development of a network of local institutions and agencies and promote the partnership;

The Public enterprises Macedonian Forests through regional offices “Galichica”, Ohrid and “Jablanica” in Struga has full responsibility for management i.e. silviculture, protection, harvesting, management of state owned non-protected forest within their region. Department for planning within PEMF prepare 10-years plan for each forest management unit. This plan is approved by the MAFWE and delivered to the regional offices for implementation. State inspectorate for forestry and hunting, control implementation of the forest management plans by the Public enterprises. These enterprises are self financing institution.

NP Galicica – Ohrid, according to the law on nature have full responsibility for integrated management of the protected area national park Galicica. They also manage the forest and pastures within the park area. NP’s prepare management plans for the park area that is approved by the MOEPP. Besides that, NP’s are obliged to prepare forest management plan for forest management units within their area. PI NP Galicica is self-financing institution.

JSC ELEM - "Macedonian Power plants is responsible for the hydro power plants on the Crn Drim River (Globochica and Shpilje in MK): water level of the Ohrid Lake is regulated by controlled outflow near the town of Struga.

5.5 Assessment of ecological and socio-economic threats

Ecological threats

Lake Ohrid is well-known globally as the only ancient and long-lived lake in Europe and a biodiversity hotspot of global importance. But, in the last decades the lake itself is facing the global problems of phosphorus pollution. As in most lakes phosphorus is the crucial factor for algal growth. As a result additional phosphorus input from households (sewage, washing agents), industry or agriculture (fertilizer) usually leads to higher algal densities, which in turn

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may affect tourism (e.g., rotting algae at shores, water looks dirty, health issues) and lake ecology (e.g., lack of oxygen in deep water, competition from better adapted species). Pollution with phosphorus has been an issue in most central European and North-American lakes, starting in the 1970s. In most cases mitigation efforts (sewage treatment, banning of phosphates in washing agents) were established once a serious problem was perceived, which led to substantial improvement of the situation. In the case of Lake Ohrid, waiting until excessive algal growth is evident would lead to irreversible loss of globally unique aquatic plants and animals. Thus, it is important to take action while this unique lake is still in excellent shape.

Phosphorus pollution of Lake Ohrid is increasing steadily. Since the Second World War population in the Lake Ohrid basin has increased by 140 %. The expected concurrent increase in phosphorous loads were indeed detected in lake sediments, which indicate a 2-4 times higher phosphorous concentration in Lake Ohrid today than 150 years ago. Although Lake Ohrid is still comparably clean, this increase has left its traces, e.g., in a significant decrease in water clarity and thus in the famous blueness since the 1920’s. Regarding remediation and monitoring the reaction time of Lake Ohrid is an important issue: Because of the long water residence time it takes about two decades until efforts to reduce P take full effect in the lake; on other hand the water quality which is observed now may underestimate the severity of the current situation.

The most important phosphorous sources for Lake Ohrid are clearly households, with industry and agriculture being minor contributors. In particular close to the towns of Ohrid and Pogradec, three small creeks are basically transformed into sewage channels, adding high amounts of directly bio-available phosphorous to the lake. A second important share is contributed by numerous small sources, which show in the sediment records and stem mainly from households directly at the lake shore, and potentially leaking sewers or septic tanks. On the other hand, the largest tributary, River Sateska is adding mainly particulate material, which will only enter the lake’s food chain to a minor share. There is a significant area under high and very high erosion processes i.e 5,28% of the territory or 53,96 km 2 where erosion control measures are urgent and 278 km2 on mid erosion processes where erosion control measures and activities are recommended. Within the Ohrid lake watershed situation is worst and 5,85% of the area (50,93 km2 – high/very high erosion) and 245,35 km2 mid erosion processes. Within the Crn Drim watershed only 3,32% of the area (11,03 km2) is with strongest erosion processes while 32,93 km2 with mid erosion processes.

The biggest problem in terms of erosion in the Ohrid region is certainly Sateska River. Sateska River is the largest source of phosphorus pollution in the lake. As a result of the erosion in the catchment, near the mouth of the river to the lake, the river Sateska deposited more than 100,000 m3 per year sedimentary layers in the lake, of which 38.1 tons of phosphorus. It causes physical (mechanical) and chemical pollution of the lake.

Table 18. Most erosive rivers in region

Nr river F Z W G km2 m3/y m3/y Ohrid Laker Watershed 1 Sateska River 411,47 0,27 201620 112907 2 Koselska River 195,35 0,36 140168 72887 Study: Integrated Ecosystem Approach for the Lake Ohrid Basin as a Tool for Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources Page 39

3 Cherava 86,12 0,29 45104 23003 4 Letnica (Susica) 38,82 0,34 26454 21692 Dlaboki Dol 5 (Racha) 18,51 0,38 13195 10687 Crn Drim Watershed Piskupska River 53,38 0,37 38448 29989 2 Golema River 55,82 0,29 27898 22348 3 Seleshka River 27,00 0,46 27254 20924 4 Belicka River 57,75 0,23 23144 19904 Labunishka 5 River 29,70 0,33 20251 18384

F – watershed area, Z – erosion coefficient (0.05

Physical pollution is the result of mechanical filling of the lake. The average transparency River Sateska ranges of between 45-65 cm. Moreover, a large part of the suspended material that carries Sateska focuses on the mouth of the river thus forming an island. Today the sand of the island draws for buildings (interesting fact is that it is sand used in constructing the Ohrid Airport). Also, due to the large amounts of accumulated sediment from the mouth to the village Podmolje (known as " Ribnica ") no longer spawn eggs because are covering with sediment and sand and they do not mature, sediment enters in the gills of young fishes and they die. Evidence of this is found buried in sand and spawn young fishes extinct.

Figure 2: The mouth of the River Sateska

Chemical pollution is a result of the binding of heavy metals and organic pollutants in suspended sediments (this results from recent research that the majority of the various pollutants 60-90 % bind to sediments and lower part with water). Among other things, this condition causes a reduction in the amount of oxygen in the water, which is the main reason for the loss of flora and fauna that is loss of biodiversity. Eutrophication is off-site effect of erosion processes Sateska River. This issue is extremely important because when nutrients once enter the aquatic ecosystems, their removal is difficult, expensive and highly uncertain. The most erosive tributaries of Sateska are: Slatinska (Soshanska) River, Godivjanska and Vrbjanska rivers in the Municiplaity of Debarca.

The situation is similar for the underground connection to upstream Lake Prespa, which was found to be cleaned up quite effectively on the way. Study: Integrated Ecosystem Approach for the Lake Ohrid Basin as a Tool for Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources Page 40

Though Lake Prespa does not pose an immediate threat to Lake Ohrid, it needs to be protected for its own sake. Main anthropogenic pressure is clearly agricultural development, which has led to a 50% phosphorous increase in Lake Prespa since the 1990’s, through increased irrigation and use of fertilizer. The lakes connection is affecting entire system Prespa and Ohrid.

Figure 3. Erosion on Sateska watershed in Debarca

Figure 4: Erosive area near village Kosel, Municiplaity of Ohrid

The observed effect on water transparency, as well as shifts in species close to polluted inflows described by other authors underline vulnerability of Lake Ohrid to increased nutrient inputs. Another important parameter is the availability of dissolved oxygen in the deep water, which forms the prerequisite for a large number of fish and bottom dwelling species. Our model predicts that increased phosphorous loads lead to higher organic sedimentation, stimulating consumption of oxygen at the sediment. This negative effect would be amplified significantly by expected global warming, which leads to an increasing isolation of the deep water and thus anoxic conditions on the long run. However, anoxia from global warming can be prevented by cutting down human-induced P input: a 50% reduction would delay anoxic conditions by several decades and ensure dissolved oxygen levels to stay above 4 mg/L for the next 50 years. Thus, under reduced phosphorous input, Lake Ohrid would be on the safe side over the next decades and management could be adapted to the actual, observed warming.

The necessary 50% reduction of anthropogenic phosphorous input can be effectively achieved by a few mitigation measures. While the few much polluted inflows are a local nuisance and health hazard they have the advantage that phosphorous input can be reduced through a concentrated effort. Indeed the required reduction could be basically reached by cleaning up the household sources in the reach of the three main polluting creeks. These creeks are River Velgoshka the west of Ohrid, Pogradec River entering at Pogradec and a creek/channel entering the lake directly east of Pogradec and Çerava River that originates from Albania and

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gets connection within lake on Macedonian side. For a various assessments of success regular sampling at the mouths of the creeks would suffice.

Figure 5. Velgoshka River flowing through Ohrid

In addition to this concentrated effort the numerous sources close to the lake shore should be located and improved through systematic approach. The recent construction water treatment system on Albanian side of the Lake Ohrid the situation predictably will be improved. Further to that the lake monitoring must be well followed not only as a warning system and for success control, but also to support the understanding of future problems. In terms of nutrient control, phosphorous, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and conductivity and plankton samples should be monitored continuously. In addition sediment cores analyses through international project should continue and analyzed roughly once per decade. The continuity of monitoring efforts is in line with requirements in the European Union (WFD) to run long-term monitoring programs on special lake systems. Lake Ohrid, globally is one of less type ancient body and a globally biodiversity hotspot of great natural values.

Hydrological interventions have impacted the Lake system at many levels. The diversion of Sateska River in order to drain the Struga marshland and turn it into arable land and to use its water potential for hydroelectric power generation, have increased the area of the Lakes watershed and the agricultural runoff entering the Lake. Limited anti-erosion measures have caused the gradual increase of sediment input in the Lake. The uncontrolled extraction of sand and gravel from the riverbed aggravates the situation. The re-diversion of the Sateska River is under consideration.

Figure 6. Salmo letnica and Ochridiospongia rotunda

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Uncontrolled development has caused the deterioration of shoreline habitats. Characteristic example is the alteration of the reed zones that is still ongoing especially in the Albanian side in the area around Pogradec and Tushemisht village. Unsustainable agricultural practices exert a pressure to the Lake system being also a significant source of pollution. Runoff enters directly or indirectly through its tributaries into the Lake. Irrigation of farmlands, with water abstracted from the Lake and its tributaries, increases the load to the Lake. A variety of agrochemicals are used in both countries with no or little control. In Macedonia, some types of pesticides are banned but still they are illegally obtained and used. Traces have been found in the tissues of fish threatening also human health.

Uncontrolled and excess fertilizer use is the cause of nutrient pollution and hence eutrophication. The concentration of phosphorus has been increased 3-4 times in the past 60 years. Estimates of the total load of phosphorus made back in 1996 had suggested that this was 3-5 times greater than it should be to keep the Lake in oligotrophic state (Watzin et al. 2003).

For some decades the urban wastewater was also a significant source of pollution. In the Albanian part of the watershed, wastewater has just 2 years under treatment. Until 2004, approximately 30 percent of the wastewaters of Pogradec were collected and simply discharged into the Lake. In the Macedonian part 65 percent of wastewater of the Ohrid – Struga region are treated (in a 120,000 pe capacity plant) and discharged in the Black Drin. Additional constructions will permit the collection and treatment of most of the effluent produced at the shoreline of this part of the Lake. Bacterial pollution is an issue, occurring in places where streams and rivers discharge into the Lake being carriers of human and animal waste from inland villages. However, sewage collection and treatment allow for the Ohrid Bay to be safe for both swimming and for drinking water.

The operation of collection and treatment facilities in Pogradec has currently improved significantly and rapidly the situation in the Albanian side of the Lake where harmful bacteria have been found in a zone up to 200 m from the shore. Untreated industrial effluents from metal parts industry in Pogradec are discharged directly into the Lake. A number of mines in the same area – only one currently in operation – having exposed waste material remains, are sources of pollution after every rainfall through washout and runoff resulting in localized zones of metal (e.g. iron, chromium, copper, cobalt, nickel etc.) pollution near the shore. Waste produced by several industrial activities in the Macedonian part of the watershed may be contaminating some of the Lakes’ tributaries.

Uncontrolled waste disposal at both parts of the watershed might be a source of pollution for the underground water and, hence, for the Lake. Efforts to address this issue have been initiated. In the Albanian part, indiscriminate cutting of trees for fuel wood and production of lumber, and the use of the forest for pasturing goats have resulted in erosion.

In Macedonian part, natural and socio-economy activities in past, led to high erosion processes. In the period from the 60’s – 90’s of the XX century have been carried out significant erosion control activities i.e. afforestation of bareland, changes in agricultural and forestry activities, with aim to reduce erosive material production and rating of wild overflow. Beside it, significant number of torrents was regulated with longitudinal or cross structures made of biotechnical, stone, concrete materials with aim to retain sediment and minimize water energy.

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Table 19. Assessment of threat classes in Lake Ohrid (IUCN and GIWA methodology)

Impact Mean Threat class Key threat Ohrid impact 1. Households/Commercial 1.1. Housing and urban areas 3 3 (2.66) 1.2. Commercial/industry 2 1.3. Tourism/recreation 3 2. Agriculture/aquaculture 2.1. Annual perennials 2 2 (1.75) 2.2. Wood / pulp plantations 1 2.3. Livestock/Framing 1 2.4. Aquaculture 3 3. Energy production/mining 3.1.Oils/Gas 0 3 3.2. Mining/Quarrying 3 3.3. Renewable energy 0 4. Transport/service corridors 4.1. Roads/railways 3 3 4.2.Utility/services 0 4.3.Shiping lines 0 4.4. Flight paths 0 5.Biological resources use 5.1. Hunting/trapping terrestrial animals 3 3 (2.75) 5.2.Gathering terrestrial plants 2 5.3. Logging/wood harvesting 3 5.4.Fishing/harvesting aquatic resources 3 6. Human intrusion/disturbance 6.1. Recreational activities 3 2 6.2. War, civil unrest/military exercises 0 6.3. Work and other activities 1 7. Natural system modifications 7.1. Dams/water management/use 0 2.5 7.2.Fire/fire suppression 2 7.3. Other ecosystem modifications 3 8. Invasive/other problematic 8.1. Non native species species, genes 0 2 8.2. Problematic native species 0 Introduced genetically material 2 9. Pollution 9.1. Domestic and urban pollution 3 3 (2.6) 9.2. Industrial/military effluents 3 9.3.Grabage/solid waste 3 9.4. Air-borne pollutants 1 9.5. Agriculture forestry effluents 3 9.6. Excess energy 0 10. Geological events 10.1. Volcanoes 0 0 10.2.earthquarks/tsunamis 0 0 10.3. Avalanches/landslides 0 0 11. Climate changes/severe 11.1. Habitat shifting/alteration 3 2 (2.25) weather 11.2. Droughts 3 11.3. Temperature extreme 2

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11.4. Storms/flooding 1 11.4. Other impacts

Unsustainable exploitation of fisheries has caused the decline of fish stocks. The impact is bigger at the more commercially valuable species such as the Lake Ohrid trout (Salmo letnica). Fishing pressures are different in the two sides reflecting both the socio-economic and the relevant regulatory regime differences between the two countries. It was only in 2002 when limits to the catch of trout have been set in the Albanian side.

The natural tributaries of Lake Ohrid such as the Daljan, Velgoshka, and Koselska rivers on the Macedonian side and the Cerava, Pogradeci, and Verdova rivers on the Albanian side carry anthropogenic nutrients and sediment loads and thus pose a threat to oligotrophic Lake Ohrid. Most of those rivers flow through populated areas with nonexistent or inefficient sewage treatment systems.

Figure 7. Anthropogenic impact to the river Koselska (near village G. Lakocherej, Municipaplity of Ohrid)

The River Sateska was diverted into Lake Ohrid from its former path into the River Crni Drim in 1962 in order to improve the water balance of the lake and to enhance its potential for hydropower use. Since then, however, it has been a major source of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and sediments fed into the lake. Long-term microbiological as well as physico- chemical investigations revealed the adverse effects of the Sateska inflow on Lake Ohrid (Watzin et al., 2002). Water abstraction is currently considered to be of minor importance in Lake Ohrid (Matzinger et al., 2006), partly because annual balance is achieved by regulating the affluent Crni Drim River and the diversion of the Sateska River.

It is, however, a major problem in neighboring Lake Prespa. Given the underground hydraulic karstic connection between these two lakes, several studies have investigated the impact of Lake Prespa waters on Lake Ohrid (e.g., Amataj et al., 2007). It was concluded that the phosphorus transported from eutrophicated Lake Prespa may jeopardize Lake Ohrid in the future (Matzinger et al., 2006). Increased phosphorus concentrations were identified in Lake Ohrid, which facilitate the process of eutrophication (Matzinger et al., 2007) and which pose a serious threat to hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen – the major prerequisite for sublittoral and profundal endemic life (Stankovic, 1960).

Karstic springs such as those in Sv. Naum, Zagor on the water balance, temperature regime, and oxygen supply of Lake Ohrid. These springs are some of the most affected water bodies in the Ohridҫan, and basin. Tushemisht Negative imalsopacts have are a majormost obviousimpact in the Zagorcan/Tushemisht feeder spring complex on the Albanian side. This is of major

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importance since these karstic springs are responsible for a large part of the water balance of Lake Ohrid and thus directly impact the lake. Since the mentioned feeder springs are linked to Lake Prespa via underground connections, eutrophication processes there impact Lake Ohrid through these sources (Matzinger et al., 2006). Touristic facilities and ongoing capturing and pollution of the springs are also of great concern. The springs are not only very important from a hydrological point of view, they also harbour several endemic species (Albrecht and Wilke, 2008). Domestic and industrial waste waters pose another major threat to Lake Ohrid. Approximately 65% of the wastewater in Macedonia is currently collected and transported to the treatment plant Vranista (Avramoski et al., 2003). However, the ring collecting system for domestic sewage installed in the late 1980s on parts of the Macedonian side is partly dysfunctional.

Figure 8. The major threats in the project area

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By the end of 2012, the third project phase of the Pogradec waste water treatment has been completed. Population growth and rapid urbanisation in both Albania and Macedonia provide a major source of sewage water, which flows into Lake Ohrid. Heavy metal contaminations from, for example, Cr or Fe-Ni mines on the Albanian side, however, remain a major problem with unforeseeable long-time consequences to be caused by waste flowing into the lake (Watzin et al., 2002). These specific sources of contamination can be traced in the sediments (Vogel et al., 2010). Remaining stockpiles also present a permanent threat to Lake Ohrid, particularly large waste dumps close to the shore (Watzin et al., 2002). Moreover, though mining and metal processing has been reduced in the past years, this may only be temporary. The extent and overall importance of the industrial contaminations, e.g., with metals, are not well understood.

Figure 9. Road extension and solid waste at the lake shore (Albanian side of Lake Ohrid)

Solid waste washed into the lake is another problem as sanitary landfills, for example in Bukovo/Koselska or at Tushemisht, are rare or do not meet modern standards. Trash dumped into the lake accumulates over the years and eventually habitats become altered. Long-term effects of rotten plastics cannot be estimated for the time being. Non-indigenous species become more important in ancient lake ecosystems, particularly with ongoing human disturbance (Albrecht et al., 2009). In Lake Ohrid, exotic fishes like the rainbow trout and the silver carp have been introduced decades ago and at least seven such species can be found today (Talevski et al., 2010). The rainbow trout is a particular concern, since it might be able to displace the native Ohrid trout. The impact of these and other fish species introductions have not been studied adequately.

Therefore the introduction of fish diseases cannot be ruled out. Changes in zooplankton communities are evident with recent invasions of crustacean species such as Diaphanosoma brachiurum and Leptodora kintii, which prefer warmer water bodies. This could potentially be related to an increasing average water temperature in Lake Ohrid (Kostoski et al., 2004). The lake has also witnessed the introduction of alien macrophytes such as Elodea canadensis as early as 1957. The introduction took place via the Studenchishta channel close to Biljanini Spring. After a short period, this species was reported in the Sveti Naum and Shum springs and along the River Drim. Interestingly, this notorious pest species has not been recorded recently.

In general, Lake Ohrid appears to harbor far fewer invasive species than other Balkan Lakes (Albrecht et al., 2009). It is, however, obvious that highly impacted littoral parts such as the

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Ohrid Bay or areas near the Lin Peninsula have lately become home to several non-indigenous gastropod species (Albrecht et al., 2010). The number of observations of nonindigenous species will probably rise in the coming years and such species should be carefully monitored.

6. Ecosystem approach to Natural Resources Management in Ohrid Lake Watershed Basin

6.1 Vision and objectives (Long and short-term management objectives)

Visioning the future of a complex ecosystems and populated area is participatory driven process. The vision for Watershed basin area can be stated: “Balancing outstanding values with biodiversity and habitats and improved livelihood of the local communities.”

Following the vision, the objectives identified for the entire watershed are focused values conservation, recreation, science and education, and on the management system. The objectives are striving on protection and conservation of the outstanding biodiversity, and to maintain the key ecological processes of the entire watershed, while allowing appropriate recreational activities. The term objectives of science and education promote increased understanding of the watershed area and also aim at highlights of the community’s value.

6.2 Principles and definition for an effective management of forest ecosystems, water resources and crop production

EAM is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way (IUCN, 2000). EAM is an integrated approach to management that considers the entire ecosystem, including humans. EAM is managing ecosystems so as to assure their sustainability (Franklin, 1994) The goal is to maintain an ecosystem in a healthy, productive and resilient condition so that it can provide the services humans want and need (Scientific Consensus Statement on Marine Ecosystem Based Management, 2005).

Thus, the application of the ecosystem approach will help to reach a balance of the three objectives of the UNCBD Convention: conservation; sustainable use; and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Following the convention and other assessments an ecosystem approach is based on the application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organization, which encompass the essential structure, processes, functions and interactions among organisms and their environment. It recognizes that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of many ecosystems.

What are the main principles of principles for an effective management of forest ecosystems, water resources and agriculture production in case of Lake Ohrid basin?

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Figure 10. Corine Land cover map of the project area

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6.3 The objectives of management of land, water and living resources are a matter of society choice. Services should be a priority target of the ecosystem approach.

A complex area of entire watershed (protected areas and other areas with not conservation status) has to be streamlined towards a conserved for the benefit of and with the support of the local communities, and this is best achieved through awareness, understanding and involvement. Participation ensures that those who are likely to be directly or indirectly affected by the management planning are enabled to contribute their knowledge, experience and ideas.

Engagement of all relevant actors and parties is therefore a broad term that can cover different activities from simple information provision through active involvement in decision making to assumption of management control. Involvement in the managing planning and decision making processes is an important tool, that helps managers and decision makers to make better choices, based on individual choices of informed, experienced local people.

An ecosystem approach to agriculture explicitly identifies opportunities and trade-offs. It can preserve or increase the capacity of an ecosystem to produce benefits for the society, fairly apportions benefits and costs, and is sustainable over the longer-term. The ecosystem approach to agriculture requires adjustments in institutional and governance arrangements that ensure informed, balanced, transparent and legitimate decision making in relation to trade-offs and stakeholder participation.

Globally forests are amongst the most biologically-rich terrestrial systems. This has been also considered during the Workshops of the “Blue & Green VS Black & Grey” project. Together, all types of forest offer diverse sets of habitats for plants, animals and micro-organisms, and harbor the vast majority of the world’s terrestrial species. In the past, timber production was regarded as the dominant function of forests (SCBD, 2009).

However, in recent years this perception has shifted to a more multi-functional and balanced view. Today, it is understood that forest biodiversity underpins a wide ranges of goods and services for human well-being. Ecologically intact forests store and purify drinking water, they can mitigate natural disasters such as droughts and floods, they help store carbon and regulate the climate, they provide food and produce rainfall, and they provide a vast array of goods for medicinal, cultural and spiritual purposes. The health of forests and the provision of these and further forest ecosystem services depend on the diversity between species, the genetic diversity within species, and the diversity of forest types. The FAO (2003) published a report in which a comparison is made between the EA principles and the Forest Principles defined at the 1992 Rio Conference (which provided the basis for the development of SFM at the global level). The main conclusion of the report is that the two concepts have the same goal, i.e. the management, conservation and sustainable use of renewable natural resources, however they differ in their scope: the EA principles are less concerned with the enabling conditions and prerequisites at national and international levels than the Forest Principles.

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SFM is a more mature concept than the EA in the sense that it is more refined from an operational perspective. To-date, the conceptual development of the EA has emphasized the description of the content of the principles rather than what exactly needs to be achieved and how this achievement can be demonstrated through management. Thus, a shift from a content- driven approach to an outcome-driven approach, for example with the development of criteria and indicators would be beneficial for the EA concept. On the other hand, SFM could place greater emphasis on better cross-sectoral integration and inter-sectoral collaboration, the interaction with other habitat types within a landscape, and biodiversity conservation issues as it still tends to be focused on timber-producing areas (CBD, 2003b).

Integrated water resources management (IWRM) allows watersheds to be used as the appropriate scale for ecosystem-based management approaches. IWRM, as described by the Global Water Partnership, highlights the interdependence of natural and social systems and provides a practical framework for such integration on a watershed basis. IWRM recognizes the economic benefits of managing water and related natural resources. Well managed water and watershed-based resources provide high levels of ES. In essence, ES valuation and management are practical ways of achieving both IWRM goals and additional benefits.

6.4 Management should be decentralized to the lowest appropriate level.

There are differences in management of natural resources in Albania and Macedonia. The most significant element of natural resources management is the forest ecosystem.

Albania

The communal forest or community forest in Albania has been considered as one of the management tools for increasing the interest of local population for both use and conservation purposes. While, we should consider this as a principle, this has to consider as prerequisite (also for other resources):

(a) Legal improvements in terms of resources use and ownership; (b) Capacity building of the local users (or end users); (c) Increase of capacities of local administration in terms of use of natural resources including water, forest and land.

The decentralization process, in terms of preparation of legal framework and transfer of public properties (including forests), is making progress. Eight years ago, Albanian government started to implement the process of building an inventory of public properties. The process took very long as many procedures had to be followed. The process is organized in three phases: inventory, transfer and registration. Until now most of the communes/municipalities have completed the transfer of properties. In terms of forest management still a small progress is made, since LGU and FUAs don’t have the organizational and technical capacity for the management communal forests. Communes and FPUAs lack competences to carry out sustainable management and are not financially sustainable. Natural Resource Development Project-NRDP is attempting to get further development in the recognition and registration of the forest in accordance with the law of public properties transfer. This hopes to be achieved through a well organized methodology

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for the reviewing and preparation of management plans. This is considered as a crucial tool that determines forest rehabilitation/regeneration and soil protection from the erosion.

The new situation as well as the gained experience in the communal forests management required that state institutions undertake steps in improving the legal framework. In this perspective the new forestry law, the law on the public property transfer to the local government units; as well various other sub-legal acts were prepared and approved. The new legal framework intensifies the decentralization process in the management of natural resources as well as eliminates a range of limitations foreseen in the previous framework. Despite these positive developments, the transfer process and the management of communal forests by the local community still have many shortcomings especially in dividing responsibilities and competences as well as sharing profits and investments in the communal forests.

The main challenges of the CFM process for Albania are as follow:

- Improvement of forest policies related with communal forestry on property issues, income generation, etc.; - Legal framework for the transfer of forest in use/ownership of communes is not yet completed; - Lack of political will of decision-makers to split the competences and responsibilities for the governance of forest in two levels: state owned forest and communal owned forest; - There is not an approved official methodology on the delineation of the natural resource boundaries for villages/communes; - Forest Service is still keeping in a centralized way the management of forest resources as well as the incomes generated by those resources; - Ecosystem managers should consider the effects (actual or potential) of their activities on adjacent and other ecosystems.

The managers of water, land and forest areas should consider the current and future state of entire ecosystem. According to respective legal frame the EIA and SEA has to be developed with a transparent and public participation manner. In every activity of planning and field action, considering other elements of ecosystems including human presence has to be a guidance of operation.

Recognizing potential gains from management, there is usually a need to understand and manage the ecosystem in an economic context. Any such ecosystem-management programme should: (d) Reduce those market distortions that adversely affect biological diversity; (e) Align incentives to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable use; (f) Internalize costs and benefits in the given ecosystem to the extent feasible.

The main value of the area is the biological reaches that make that a globally recognized hotspot. In the focus of national policy through establishment of protected areas (Galicica NP, Pogradec LPA, and series of important natural monuments) and international donors the Lake itself has been widely considered. Protection of wildlife and its habitat is the primary purpose of the protected area. Responsibility for protecting and conserving the values in the protected area extends beyond the management body to include licensees, renting fees, relevant public and private authorities, visitors, neighbors and the wider community.

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Macedonia

Macedonia has adopted several strategies laws and plans that regulate management of various natural resources.

Related to agriculture, management is on the lowest level i.e. farm level. The same is with the live stocking. Farmers/owners are responsible for management of their agricultural land.

In the case of forestry, at the moment management is centralized. General Directorate is located in Skopje and there are 30 branch offices. Based on the questionnaires, great part of the interviewees recommended branch offices to get more autonomy in forest management. Related to private forest owners, the current situation is on the lowest level (on a parcel level).

EU and national legislation recommend management of water on a basin/sub-basin level. At the moment, there is a Unit within the Ministry for the Environment and Physical Planning for the Black Drim river basin. Management within the Black Drim basin, could be divided in 4 sub-basins: Prespa Lake basin, Ohrid Lake Basin, Crn Drim sub-basin and Radika river basin. According to the legislation related to irrigation, within the region were formed water user associations. According to the legisaltion there should be established Public water economies in Ohrid and Struga. Their role is to collect and distribute water to the water user communities. The water user communities are formed from the farmers in the area from few villages. At the moment this system is in the transformation process.

6.5. Conservation of ecosystem structure and functioning, in order to maintain ecosystem and Ecosystems must be managed within effective and adaptive one.

General principles for the ecosystem approach have to be considered as a guidance one. In case of a specific area, like Pogradec LPA, it has to be translated on adaptive manner. Protected area management should apply an adaptive management approach to support continuous improvement in management. This includes monitoring the outcomes of management and taking account of the findings of monitoring and other research to improve management effectiveness. Management decisions should have a firm scientific basis or be supported by relevant experience. Management bodies need to maintain and improve their capacity to learn from experience, to value and build staff expertise and draw on input from other stakeholders.

6.6 The ecosystem approach should be undertaken at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales and objectives for ecosystem management should be set for the long term.

This should be in a systematic and well planed issue. Sectoral integration and public participation (considered in this document through other principles) is crucial issue in securing appropriate spatial and temporal scales and objectives for ecosystem management.

6.7 Management must recognize that change is inevitable.

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and forest in case of Ohrid Basin should include identifying and taking appropriate actions to avert and actively manage emerging threats and risks. Effective management must be based on the best available information. However, where there are threats or potential threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation or harmful disturbance to natural places.

6.8 The ecosystem approach should intend appropriate balance between an integration of, and conservation and use of biodiversity.

In the last decades the major bilateral efforts, internationally funded like the Lake Ohrid Conservation Project (LOCP), have attempted to stabilize and even improve the situation of Lake Ohrid. The implemented efforts and objectives are event in current time necessary to protect one of the unique Lake Ohrid and its outstanding biodiversity. Even these measures without an ecosystem approach will not be sufficient to halt the loose biodiversity and crisis in the lake and in wider watershed area (Kostovski et al., 2010). The principal problem of, for example, endemic invertebrate taxa in Lake Ohrid is that many of them are restricted to small areas within the lake basin. Ongoing surveys of the benthic invertebrate faunas in the Ohrid basin have identified several so-called biodiversity hotspots. One of the most important ones is situated along the karstic eastern shore of the lake – Veli Dab (Albrecht and Wilke, 2008). Other hotspots are, e.g., the littoral near Sveti Zaum, the feeder spring complex at Sveti Naum and its sister complex Tushemisht/Zagorican in Albania (Albrecht and Wilke, 20078). Whereas anthropogenic effects are noticeable all around the lake, human impact on these biodiversity hotspots could have grave consequences. A destruction of, e.g., habitats around Veli Dab could lead to a permanent loss of >10% of the lake’s biodiversity (Wilke and Albrecht, 2007). It is therefore advisable to concentrate on habitat related conservation activities when long-term survival of endemic biodiversity is targeted.

6.9 The ecosystem approach should consider all forms of relevant information, including scientific and indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices. The ecosystem approach should consider all forms of relevant information, including scientific and indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices.

Beside the long history of research focus, there is currently little research devoted to conservation at Lake Ohrid. There is lack of knowledge of ecology and distribution as well as current population states for basically all invertebrates. Far more research should be conducted regarding the impact of climate change on the ecosystem, species communities and single species. Research in sustainable agriculture, forestry, and tourism is currently either underrepresented or non-existent.

In preparing an effective management plan this principle is a crucial one. Considering all scientific achievements, implemented projects and reports is a good basis for visioning future and drafting proper measure of intervention. The base line data are giving trustable and solid basis for conservation measures. Considering lessons learned and good practices has to be considered and well understood.

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7. Management actions for Protected Landscape Area, land use and water system

7.1. Strengthen the protected area management system, through ecosystem services approach

According to Defra (2007) Ecosystem Services are the wide rage of valuable benefits that a healthy natural environment provides for the humans, either directly or indirectly. Because ecosystem services are provided by various elements and combinations of biodiversity that are important to people, there are many ways in which ecosystem services approaches can contribute to biodiversity conservation. Here we identify three distinct ways in which ecosystem services approaches are being and can be used to directly support entire watershed management and biodiversity conservation: (i) the development of broader constituencies for conservation and informing decision-making; (b) opportunities to add or create new value to protected areas; and (iii) the opportunities to sustainably manage ecosystems outside of protected areas that in case Ohrid Basin are vital securing healthy natural ecosystems. A review of current status and recent trends on PA finance suggests that although there is a widespread commitment by the Government to allocate funds to PAs, existing financing falls far short of the amount required to manage the existing PAs, let alone to expand the system to meet urgent conservation priorities. There is clearly a need to find new financial resources to supplement existing funding for PAs, as well as greater efforts to place PAs firmly onto the development and poverty reduction agendas. In addition, there is the serious question of how effectively existing funds are being spent to improve PA management.

PA funding should be judged not just in terms of its quantity, but also its quality. Financing plans and funding mechanisms can help address a variety of PA management challenges, only one of which is the amount of funds received. In line with this focus on strengthening management effectiveness, this document argues that PA financial sustainability is the capacity to secure stable and sufficient long-term financial resources, and to allocate them in a timely manner and appropriate form, to cover the full costs of PAs (both direct and indirect) and to ensure that PAs are managed effectively and efficiently with respect to conservation and other objectives. The adoption of sound business principles and financial plans is an essential part of this process. In contrast, PA revenues derived from fees and charges are linked to the use or provision of particular PA products and services (for example tourist gate fees, resource extraction licenses or payments for ecosystem services). Another category of finance relates to incentives for activities that indirectly support the existence of a PA, such as extractive uses by local communities, certain forms of “green” enterprises, etc. Between these extremes, there are a wide variety of PA financing mechanisms which combine aspects of private and public, grant and commercial funding. Within this spectrum, it is possible to group PA financing mechanisms into three categories, according to the way in which funds are raised and used: . Financing mechanisms which are concerned with attracting and administering external flows include government and donor budgets, NGO grants and private and voluntary donations, from both international and domestic sources.

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. Cost-sharing and benefit-sharing, investment and enterprise funds, fiscal instruments and arrangements for private or community management of PA land, resources and facilities are primarily mechanisms for generating funding to encourage conservation activities among the groups who use or impact on PAs. . Resource-use fees, tourism charges and payments for ecosystem services all make market-based charges for PA goods and services, in an attempt to capture some of the willingness-to-pay of PA beneficiaries.

Domestic government budgets and foreign assistance have been, and are likely to remain, a core component of PA funding in most countries. Voluntary contributions from both civil society and the private sector provide an important supplement to these sources. Funding raised from corporate and business sources has the potential to account for a much larger proportion of the funding flowing to PAs – especially at the level of individual PAs and through mechanisms such as environmental trust funds and debt-for-nature swaps.

A range of financial mechanisms exist to encourage individuals, communities and companies to produce and consume in ways that are compatible with PA conservation. There are also various ways of spreading the costs or funding burden associated with PAs among different stakeholder groups. Generating funding to encourage conservation thus aims both to provide stronger incentives for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use generally, as well as to raise finance for PAs. Four types of funding to encourage conservation activities are reviewed in this chapter: . Fiscal instruments; . Benefit sharing and revenue sharing; . Sharing the costs of managing PAs and their facilities; and . Investment, credit and enterprise funds. Fiscal instruments benefit and revenue sharing, cost-sharing, and investment, credit and enterprise funds are all important means of funding PAs. More generally, they are also key tools for strengthening private incentives to conserve biodiversity. Their main role in PA finance is to ensure that financial resources flow to consumers, producers, groups and individuals whose actions affect biodiversity. Over the past two decades these mechanisms have begun to play a more important role in PA funding strategies, and have accounted for an increasing share of financial flows. However, there remain many unexploited opportunities and a substantial need to improve their use and impact on biodiversity conservation. Future priorities include raising awareness of the financing needed to cover the local opportunity and social costs of PA conservation, and developing mechanisms to ensure that funds are channelled in this direction. In many cases this will involve building capacity and adapting mechanisms already applied in other sectors to strengthen the financial and economic incentives for biodiversity conservation in and around PAs. Tourism charges and resource use fees are an important existing source of funding for many PAs. Payments for ecosystem services are rapidly emerging as a significant new funding source. What all of these mechanisms share is an emphasis on charging PA users and beneficiaries for the goods and services provided. While much progress has been made to increase cost recovery by charging for PA goods and services, there remain many

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opportunities and challenges for increasing the use of market-based charges as a funding mechanism. Future progress will require a broader view of the range of goods and services that PAs provide and are managed for, along with concrete action to develop and improve charging mechanisms. Efforts to identify and promote new or improved markets and to create the institutional infrastructure needed to implement them, is likely to require significant inputs and partnerships with other sectors and will need to draw on skills far removed from those of most environmental agencies. In addition, there is a need to strengthen the capacity of PA authorities to implement “consumer-oriented” models of PA management. This should include efforts to clarify the conflicts and complementarities between different PA uses and beneficiaries, and to design market-based charges that can encourage appropriate changes in PA management practices without undermining their fundamental mission to conserve biodiversity. Based on the summary above and the other findings of this study, a number of general conclusions may be identified with respect to PA finance: . Increasing funding of PAs is not just a demand, it is an obligation . Many PAs are under-funded and likely to remain so under current conditions . PA financing needs and opportunities will continue to grow and change . Building PA capacity for financial and business planning is essential . Sustainable PA finance requires supportive policy and market conditions . Sustainable PA finance requires support from a wide range of actors . Funding is only as sustainable and effective as the PA management system it supports Many if not most PAs face a funding crisis, both in terms of the amount of funds available and how those are used. There is an urgent need to expand and diversify PA financial portfolios, and to ensure that funding reaches the groups and activities essential for biodiversity conservation. Generating more funds for PAs is necessary, but not sufficient. PA financial sustainability will also require general reinforcement of PA management capacity, in particular to: . become more responsive to changing opportunities and external demands; . strengthen institutional capacity to use financial and business planning tools; . establish more supportive economic policy and market conditions; . Involve a wider range of stakeholders in PA management. A range of innovative PA financing mechanisms are increasingly used. Examples include raising funds from new markets (such as carbon offsets or other payments for ecosystem services), finding new donors (such as large corporations, private philanthropists, other government agencies or tax revenue sharing), sharing costs and benefits with local stakeholders (including private landholders and local communities), employing new financial tools (such as business planning), improving wider policy and market conditions (such as reforming environmentally harmful subsidies and creating positive incentives), and devolving funding and management responsibilities (for example to NGOs, local communities, individuals or businesses). All of these innovations are promising but not one is capable, by itself, of closing the quantitative and qualitative gap in PA funding, or ensuring long-term financial sustainability. These approaches should be institutionalized, in order to shift from the conventional

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dependence on domestic government budgets and foreign donors. A more strategic approach is required in order to meet the ambitious goals that conservationists have set to PAs.

7.2 Strengthen habitat and biodiversity conservation for understanding ecosystem approach and sustainable resources utilization

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Macedonia was ratified in 1998 whilst Albania accessed in 1994. The status of various international environmental agreements in Albania and Macedonia is summarized in Faloutsos et al. (2006). A first national study on the biodiversity of Albania and Macedonia (First national report) were published respectively in 2002 and 2003. This reports comprehensively lists organisms occurring in bth countries and also includes the Lake Ohrid flora and fauna. Red listings are planned for various taxa, but only preliminary data sets exist for a few selected taxa. There are conservation activities for particular Lake Ohrid species, most notably for fish. A fishing ban has been in place in both countries since 2004 and until. Since 2003, the state law on fisheries in Albania prohibits fishing during the spawning period only, i.e. no restrictions exist for the rest of the year on the Albanian side of Lake Ohrid. Major efforts aim at spawning Ohrid trout at the HBI Ohrid and in Reproduction unite in Lin. One of the major goals is to yield sustainable populations in the lake. According to a recent conservation assessment of the native fish fauna (with a total of 20 species) using IUCN criteria, 1 species is critically endangered, 5 species are endangered and 4 species are vulnerable (Talevski et al., 2010).

7.3. Management of point and diffuse sources of pollution at the Ohrid Lake watershed scale

Based on various reports and surveys for both sides of Ohrid Lake the diffuse sources through agriculture are an important source of nutriments (nitrogen and phosphorus) for the lake environment. There are no measures undertaken to reduce total N and P leakage from arable land, while the cumulative influence on the large-scale transport of nutrients from the agricultural sector is significant.

On the Macedonia side there has be initiated measures to abate the environmental degradation of the lake in the 1980s. Along with these initiatives, legislative regulations have led to a national strategy of permanent environmental monitoring of Lake Ohrid, carried out by the Hydro biological institute in Ohrid. On Albanian side for a long time the lake was out of any monitoring program or either with only some occasional surveys. To that fact a major concern was and still is actual sewage treatment. On Macedonian side the wastewater is pumped along the shore through a 25.4 km long collector system into a plant near Struga from where it is discharged into the River Black Drin. Lack of funding suspended the construction of the collecting system in the late 1980s (GEF, 1997). In two additional construction phases, 44 km of sewers, which will treat most of the shoreline on the Macedonian side of the lake, will be added to the system.

A General Management Plan for the Ohrid and Prespa region was prepared by the UNESCO Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning Skopje. The plan passed the governmental procedures and was ratified by parliament. There is also progress on the Albanian side, for example, a new sewage treatment system has been installed for parts of Pogradec and the surrounding settlements.

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Further to that targeting of policy instruments is the need for a detailed understanding of the catchment-specific context of agriculture NPS pollution management. There is a need to understand key determinants of adoption of water quality management and the careful selection and scheduling of policy instruments for addressing them for the effective mitigation of agriculture NPS pollution. By virtue of economic characteristics of policy instruments, policy instruments enhancing on-farm benefits could effectively increase the adoption of water quality management.

In both Albania and Macedonia, a policy of mitigating agriculture NPS pollution impairment to watershed water quality should involve:

• Identify impediments of water quality management. • Specify policy scenarios for overcoming impediments. • Quantify the impact of policy scenarios. • Identify the preferred policy scenario. • Refine the preferred policy scenario.

Policy instruments may be operated or implemented on the ground to enable a comprehensive assessment of transaction costs of implementing policy instruments. In the review of various policy instruments, government policymakers are often multiple services oriented. In relation to this, the transaction cost is lower if communities are involved as opposed to individual landholders.

In addition to eutrophication, Lake Ohrid also shows metal pollution near the sites of the old chromium, iron, nickel and coal mines outside Pogradec. Several analyses on these areas show concentrations of metals in the near shore lake water that are very high. It is likely that the muds and sands in these near shore locations are also contaminated, and this may pose a risk to the invertebrates, fish and birds living in this section of the lake. People who catch and eat fish in the area may also be at risk and it is possible that local drinking water sources have been contaminated. Long-term exposure to elevated levels of chromium, copper, cobalt, nickel, and other metals have been shown to have harmful effects on human health.

8. Develop effective Land Use Practices at the watershed scale

The impacts of agricultural practices, deforestation, lack of an effective urban planning mechanism on lakes water quality in general has received considerable attention during the last decades, with a number of reports and studies indicating various pollutants and stressors to be one of the main sources of non point and points pollution(Gilley and Risse 2000; Harmel et al. 2004).

Institutions and Local governments at the both littoral countries are finding that their natural and particular water resources are facing degradation in response to population growth and development. They are also discovering that they can only protect local water resources by thinking on a watershed scale. At this scale, local governments can identify specific pollutants and their sources, and create solutions. Watershed planning also provides institutions in charge, all actors and local governments with a framework to prioritize valuable and sometimes scarce resources such as funding and staff time. Local governments with a good land use and watershed plan in hand will also have access to a greater number of resources for project implementation.

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What would be the benefits of effective land use and watershed planning? In the following table we summarize these benefits.

Table 20. The list of benefits from effective land use and watershed planning

Benefits from an effective land use and watershed planning Local Government Benefits Administrative benefits 1. Enables analyses that are most meaningful 6. Provides a structure for communities to at a watershed or sub-watershed scale target geographic areas for land (e.g., nutrient loadings, impervious cover conservation and development to estimates, etc.). maximize the efficiency of community 2. Enables management at a scale necessary planning efforts. to ensure consistency with TMDLs. 7. Enables more efficient management of 3. Provides a framework for prioritizing permitting matters (fishing permits, etc). resources (staff, conservation dollars, etc.). 8. Focuses data collection and analysis for 4. Provides educational opportunities for environmental assessments. citizens to understand how natural 9. Provides benchmarks for measuring the resources management interacts with success of management efforts. existing and future development. 5. Gives citizens an active voice in protecting and restoring natural resources that are important to the community Environmental Benefits Financial Benefits • Improves quality of water for drinking and • Avoids development in sensitive areas and recreational use. can help minimize compliance and • Enhances water supply (City of Pogradec mitigation costs on Albanian side) • Improves water supply protection to • Protects wildlife habitat and improves reduce the need for costly drinking water natural resources. treatment • Controls flooding by restoring wetlands • Provides a framework and rationale to and riparian areas (in both sides of the pursue various funding opportunities lake: Driloni in Albania and Studenchishta • Prevention and planning is less costly than in Macedonia. restoration.

8.1. Develop the recreational and touristic uses

What would be the specific objective for developing the recreational and touristic uses?

The entire complex of ecosystems and urban areas in Ohrid Basin shall be considered as a single destination in which the two neighboring sections complement each other, but also compete with each other. In particular, it shall:

• Integrate tourism into the overall development policies and patterns of the region and the countries. • Provide a rational basis for decision-making by both the public and private sectors on tourism development. • Draw on the synergies and the market potential of a larger and more diverse destination. • Optimize and balance the economic, environmental and social benefits of tourism. • Lay the foundation for successfully implementing tourism policies and the recommendations of the strategy for future development.

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• Provide the framework of effective coordination and cooperation of stakeholders in the two countries through WMC. • Motivate Governments and private sector stakeholders to step up their engagement for the tourism sector. • Emphasize the direction towards a nature-based, ecotourism development.

Looking to the past heavy developments with intensive hotel and restaurant construction in both sides of the lake, and current trend of population increase the touris strategy and development has to be oriented to a different mean.

The main regions which have the opportunity to develop eco-tourism are national parks (Galichica, Prespa, Pogradec LPA, Shebenik Jabllanica). They present different sites with distinctive history and nature with rich biodiversity (many habitats and endemic species) including caves, waterfalls and more, all of which create the perfect area for this type of tourism to be successfully developed.

Rural areas where tourists can deal with farming, livestock operations, manufacturing and craft production with traditional characteristics, participation in ceremonies and events, gatherings and folklore meetings are also highly attractive. Tourists are attracted to unpolluted environments, clean air and fresh spring water, idyllic village brilliancy, traditional rural architecture and exteriors, landscaping, traditional family relationships, food and domestic animals and pets. In this regard, active participation in preparing and serving the food is a very attractive aspect for visitors.

Specific rural nomadic-tourism like this is a very well-known attraction for tourists. Activities related to an active participation in the grazing, milking and feeding of sheep are also popular. The area of Pogradec has been humanized since the period of the late neolith (6000-2000 BC). Based on different excavation the locality Buqeza, 20km north of Pogradec is known as a prehistoric palaphites sites build over the water surface. The area is also abundant with monuments like monumental tombs of Selca e Siperme that reveals high developed of life at that time. The archaeological excavations have shown that we have to do with a very developed economical-cultural center of a great importance in the 4-3rd centuries BC. Entire region has also been inhabited during the Roman time taking a special strategic importance along the road Via Egnatia. Following different sources this area has been inhabited by the Illyrian tribes of Enkelean and Dessaret. In their areas, by the end of 5th century BC, was established a powerful Illyrian state with series of settlements and castles around Ohrid Lake such as Enkelana, Lychnidos, Pelion, Sation, Baos etc.

In the top hill near to the city of Pogradec is located the place called Pogradeci castle that has been inhabited in the fifth century BC. An important site location is situated at the hill over Lini village where the inhabitation began in the first period of the Iron Age and life there has continued till the early medieval time. The archaeological excavations discovered an Early Christian basilica with extraordinary floor mosaic from the forth-fifth.

The area id also distinguished for the medieval church of Shen Bitri, as the locals use to call this St. Demetrios' church roofed with stone tiles is very unique because of its two apses on the eastern side and very specific wall painting in its interior. Further to that the church and monastery of St. Marena situated in the north of the village of Llenga. The church is a small building, 12 by 8 meters. The altar is separated from the nave with a wooden icon 6m wide and

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4m high. The icon is engraved and polychrome with floral motives. All the interior of the church is covered with frescoes that belong to the hand of the headmaster of these areas Kostandin Shpataraku. Principal monument values of the Ohrid region are harmony of historical protected city nucleuses, natural urban structure, lake – shore, spiritual centres located at the lakeshore, urban structures located near the lake shore with specific way of living and rural settlements located in preserved ecological environments.

The scientific and educational values, defined as extremely significant for the protected region, and the establishment of the St. Clement’s University and Ohrid Literary School founded by disciples of the creators of the Slavic alphabet, are scientific potential for researches in the field of literacy, history, archaeology, architecture, ethnology, and the history of art.

The defined urban matrix of the old city of Ohrid abounds in numerous archaeological sites, spiritual centres and specific residential architecture characteristic for these territories from the period of XIX century, as well as recent architecture created under the influence of the European neoclassicism. Within the boundaries of the protected monuments of Ohrid, the following were pronounced cultural property: total of 23 Christian sacral buildings, 74 profane buildings, 7 buildings of Islamic architecture and 10 archaeological sites.

Struga stretches along the two banks the river Crn Drim, more precisely at the run out of the Ohrid Lake. In the past Struga stretched along the very important traffic artery, VIA EGNATIA, a very busy road, which reflected on the economic and cultural development of the city. In the period of the Turkish dominion, the major part of the commercial and passengers’ traffic went through this region. After the fall of the Turkish Empire and after setting up political boundaries between the countries from the Balkan, the transverse traffic artery lost its importance, which reflected on the development on the cities development in the border area.

The existence of Struga is connected with the settlements of wooden piles by the Ohrid Lake, were the name originated from. Archeological sites testify for the existence of findings from the Neolith period, the Bronze Age, Macedonian Hellenistic period, Roman and early Middle Age period.

The area called Debrca is located in the south-west part of Macedonia, nested between Kichevo and Ohrid. According to its geographical, ethnographical and economical characteristics it is a specifically individualized area. So far, exact scientific data concerning the origin of the name of the area Debrca has not been found. There are indications that the current territory of Debrca was included in Clement’s Episcopacy Velika (Drembica).

Herbal tourism is a base for tourism development which should be sought out thanks to the richness of the vegetation. The flora includes beech, birch and pine forests and is an opportunity to observe, collect flowers, leaves, fruits, barks, roots and resin. Cave-tourism has not been promoted and the conditions for development are limited to a few caves in Macedonia. This means that the caves are still not sufficiently studied and not available to be used as a tourist attraction but are only available in terms of educational and research activities. Localities that are famous for this kind of responsible tourism are: Selca e Poshtme, Mali i Thate, Guri I Kamjes, Galichica National Park, etc.

Table 21. Tourism policies, strategies and laws relevant for Ohrid Lake Region tourism

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Tourism Policies and relevant Albania Macedonia laws National level: National level:

National strategy on National Strategy for development and integration Development of Tourism New law on tourism (since (revised and valid till 2015) 2007) National Strategy for National Strategy on Tourism development of Rural tourism Development (2012-2017)

Regional level: Local level:

Korca regional strategy on Tourism development incentive economic and social Program for the Municipality of development (2005) Ohrid for 2014

Program on tourism destination management for Korca region (2008, UNTWO, SNV)

Local level:

Tourism Action Plan for Pogradec area

Environmental Local action Plan Bucimas (2005)

Responsible authorities Ministry of Urban planning and Ministry of Economy Tourism; Local authorities: Ministry of Economy; • Municipality of Ohrid Local authorities: • Municipality of Struga • Municipality of Pogradec; • Municipality of Vevchani • Communes of Udenisht, • Municipality of Debarca Buçimas, Çerava and Dardhas; Local economic development Sectors for Tourism and Local agencies economic development within the municipalities

Recommendations

Generally sustainable use of natural resources, (sustainable land use management practices , actions for strengthen the national Parks, proposed activities for improving the recreational and touristic uses, activities to develop sustainable agriculture and socio-economic activities) – this will be the bases for the LAG establishment.

• More effective approach of legal frameworks with regard to the management of Natural Resources and furthermore the adoption of the needed regulations that will make the framework laws applicable. Ultimately, frameworks should be harmonized with the EU standards;

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• Establishment of appropriately scaled management institutions with clear not overlapping competences over natural resources management and continuous improvement of their capacities and coordination;

• Development of mechanisms that will facilitate the sustainable financing of the natural resources management in accordance with the “user” and “polluter pays”, payment for Ecosystem services principle in consistency with the socio-economic realities also at local level;

• Increased research on the lake‘s limnology, biodiversity, and conservation management practices are necessary. The latter research field should identify conservation priorities. Given the importance of Lake Ohrid as a tourist destination, a sustainable development of tourism (e.g., a ban on private power boats and jet skies, restrictions on import and export of species) is important.

• Public awareness should be enhanced, including the establishment of a central museum highlighting the importance of Lake Ohrid.

• Further to that, in terms of cooperation among authorities of two countries for integrated management of common lake body there is a need for an effective implementation of the Agreement was signed for the management of Lake Ohrid and its Watershed by Albania and FYR Macedonia in 2004 (ratified by the Parliaments of the two countries in 2005).

Policy framework

There is a need for following the reform process at national level that will provide the basis for integrated watershed basin management. The reform itself is mainly lead by the EU accession prospect that is underway in both Albania and Macedonia:

• The entire framework has to be harmonized with the EU regulations with intention to a more effective approach of legal frameworks with regard to the integration management of natural resources and making the laws applicable.

• Harmonization of the material law related to the water, agriculture, forest and nature with the Criminal Code

• Further to the achievements there is a need for integrating nature conservation laws into national developmental and economic policies and linked with efficient monitoring and enforcement mechanisms that would ensure that access to the natural resources is allocated fairly and efficiently to end users;

• There is a need for effective procedures that will ensure public awareness and balanced participation in the decision making following national legal requirements and international instruments.

• Future Transboundary Biosphere Reserve “Ohrid&Prespa” (TBR) could be considered as an instrument for coordination, joint territorial planning and development considering the wider area as a one. Study: Integrated Ecosystem Approach for the Lake Ohrid Basin as a Tool for Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources Page 64

• Developing a rational and operational decentralization (particularly in case of Albanian communal forestry) that will allow the efficient involvement of local communities.

• The Bilateral Agreement on Lake Ohrid and its watershed need to be updated and consider further governmental commitments in line with WFD requirements and other International Conventions.

• Develop a sectoral integration of relevant management institutions with avoidance of overlapping competences over natural resources management and continuous improvement of their capacities and coordination.

• Improve and establish common fishery policy for the common water ecosystem that will secure sustainable fishing activity and conservation of globally significant biodiversity values like trout species. Local actors have to be actively involved in planning and implementation of measures.

Specific recommendations for the project under Water, Agriculture and Forestry (related to the small campaigns targeting the relevant stakeholders, stakeholder training themes/ issues, LAG priorities.

• Construction of the waste water system and upgrade of technology with intention to include all settlements surrounding the lake in both littoral countries is a priority directly connected with ecosystem function, water quality and freshwater biodiversity conservation.

• PA administrations should construct financial portfolios incorporating a diversity of funding sources and a multiplicity of beneficiaries. . Further to that PA administrations should take advantage of new opportunities for raising finance. Partnerships with organizations already engaged in these new markets can be an efficient way to gain entry. • PA administrations must recognize and respond to the broader sustainable development goals of the government and other groups that fund them. Minimizing tendencies of conversion of agricultural land in unproductive (soil sealing), especially in suburban environments and protection of agricultural land as major prerequisite for effective achievement production functions.

• Provide material and other conditions for defining program for macro and micro regionalization of agriculture with aim more rationale use of natural resources. To that fact consider various sources of funding like IPARD at the national contexts and joint applications as well.

• Prevent degradation of soil and improve soil health through application of effective agricultural and silvicultural measures in ecosystem.

• Establishing clear and verifiable guidelines, policies, and protocols for sustainable farming systems (Organic farming, High Nature Value Farming Systems, Low Input

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Farming Systems, Integrated Farming Systems) and agricultural production systems which qualify as sustainable intensification, including as integral elements Con- servation Agriculture, Integrated Pest, Nutrient, Weed and Water management and other desirable practices.

• Establishment of the agro-ecological elements of sustainable intensification systems that are the practices that implement principles of the Conservation agriculture (Minimizing soil disturbance by mechanical tillage; Enhancing and maintaining organic matter cover on the soil surface, Diversification of species), plus other best practices dealing with crop management, as well as the integration of agro-forestry, pastures and livestock into the production system.

• Establishing incentive mechanisms such as justifiable payments to eco-effective land users for environmental or community services and introduce penalties for polluting or degrading ways of agriculture as additional incentive for late adopters.

• Work towards establishment of subsidies for good agricultural practices (GAP) at the transboundary level in synergy with future TBR Ohrid and Prespa.

• Usage of advanced techniques such as drip irrigation in order to secure better water administration, adaption to climate change, which gives the following effects: improves the efficient use water for irrigation, reduction of soil degradation, securing elements necessary for plant nutrition, savings in labour and energy and reducing the cost of production; and revival of traditional ways of conserving water without harming the environment.

• Initiation of a broad campaign for education, marketing and motivation farmers on the application of the Best Management Practice (BMP) for Sustainable soil management for reduce or avoid environmental impacts off agricultural lands, based on a common understanding that soil and agro-ecosystems are essential for a sustainable society and environment.

• Develop effective erosion control measures and activities on agricultural land (terracing, contour plowing, etc). For such an reduction there is a need for following measures and activities: deforestation of bare lands; amelioration of degraded forests and shrubs, amelioration of natural grasslands, construction ameliorative technical structures on the slopes (contour walls, contour ditches, construction structures in the stream bed using native material (earth, rocks, wattles, fascines, etc).

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Annexes:

Annex 1: Conclusions and summary minutes of the Stakeholder’s Workshops Annex 2: Questionnaires Annex 3: Syntheses analyze of relevant stakeholders in Albanian side on forest, water and agriculture Annex 4: Syntheses analyze of relevant stakeholders in Macedonian side on forest, water and agriculture Annex 5: SWOT analyses for the Albanian side Annex 6: SWOT analyses for the Macedonian side

Study: Integrated Ecosystem Approach for the Lake Ohrid Basin as a Tool for Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources Page 69

Study: Integrated Ecosystem Approach for the Lake Ohrid Basin as a Tool for Conservation and Protection of Natural Resources Page 70