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Table of Contents

Abstract 2

Executive Summary 3

Acknowledgements 9

Chapter 1: Introduction 11

Chapter 2: Background and Literature Review 12 2.1 The Vjosa River and its Catchment 12 2.2 Biodiversity in the Vjosa Catchment 15 2.3 Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 20 2.4 Overview of the Economic Impact of MAPs in Albania 21 2.5 Structural Overview of the MAPs Industry 22 2.6 MAPs Trade in the Vjosa Valley 23 2.7 HPP Development in the Vjosa Catchment 26 2.8 Role of EcoAlbania 28

Chapter 3: Methodology 29 3.1 Inventory of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 29 3.2 Field Study and Interviews 36 3.3 Developing a Short Documentary 43 3.4 Data Management 44

Chapter 4: Project Results 45 4.1 Create an Inventory of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in the Vjosa Watershed 45 4.2 Practices and Perspectives of Persons and Organizations Involved with the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Trade in the Vjosa Watershed 46 4.3 Identify Themes for a Documentary about the Effects of the Dam on the MAPs trade and Rural Livelihood 52

Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations 55

Bibliography 56

Appendices 59

Authorship 112

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Abstract

The Vjosa River in Albania faces controversy with the development of hydropower, threatening its natural state. Our goal was to determine the social impacts of the potential dams on the medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) trade in the Vjosa catchment area. To accomplish this, our team worked with EcoAlbania to assess current MAP information available and interview stakeholders in the MAP trade to evaluate the social impact that MAPs have on rural communities. By creating a complete inventory of the MAPs in the Vjosa region and preparing a short documentary to present the social impacts of the potential dams on the communities and trade, our sponsor can use that information to further their cause of preserving the natural state of the Vjosa River.

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Executive Summary

The Vjosa Watershed

The Vjosa River is one of the largest rivers in Albania (Figure 1). It is considered to be one of the last wild rivers in Europe, as there are no dams along its main course. The districts in the Vjosa catchment area are incredibly biodiverse, with over 700 taxa of higher plants found in only Gjirokastra (Malo 2010). However, this rare natural state is threatened by more than 25 small hydropower plants (HPPs) either planned or already under construction along the Vjosa and its tributaries. Environmentalists, including our sponsor, EcoAlbania, are working to encourage the government to save its natural state and prevent dam construction.

Figure 1: Vjosa River (© L. Shuka)

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs)

Over the past decade there has been a clear increase in the demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). These MAPs are defined as “botanical raw materials,” from which herbal and medicinal drugs, culinary spices, and cosmetic products are created (ITC, http://www.intracen.org/itc/sectors/medicinal-plants/). There is also a section within the MAPs trade that is focused on essential oils, which are processed from the MAPs and then sold at a

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higher value. These products are highly sought by medicinal practitioners and common people alike, therefore increasing the demand for MAPs each year (ITC, http://www.intracen.org/itc/sectors/medicinal-plants/).

MAPs trade in Albania

The supply chain is generally composed of local harvesters, district collectors and production companies. Local harvesters are responsible for either collecting plants from the wild or cultivating them. Independent collectors at the district level buy MAPs from wild harvesters and cultivators, and act as middlemen between the harvesters and the production companies. There are two types of district level collectors, with facilities and without. District level collectors without facilities usually purchase plants in several different districts, using personal relationships with their harvesters and cultivators in order to make their business as successful as possible (Imami et al 2015). The collectors sell to three different markets: packagers, medium processors and large processors. Medium and large processor receive MAPs directly from cultivators (Figure 2). Medium-sized processors are mainly responsible for direct sales to foreign customers, (USAID 2009) while large processors have a more organized operation, working with large international company such as McCormick's (Paul 2014); (USAID 2009).

Figure 2: Flowchart of the Supply Chain (USAID 2009)

A large portion of the rural Albanian livelihood, as 35% of community income is based in the MAP trade (Furth 2015). Medicinal and aromatic plants products are involved in the everyday life of rural Albanians and the majority are collected from wild-grown plants within

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the watershed. They provide income to many families, help preserve cultural heritage through their use in folk medicinal practice, and on a national scale, stimulate the growth of Albania’s international exports (Imami et al 2015). Figure 3 provides illustrations for some of plants found in the Vjosa valley.

Figure 3: Salvia officinalis (right) and Thymus longicaulus (left) (© L. Shuka)

Objectives

Our sponsor, EcoAlbania, is a non-governmental environmental group, created by professors from the University of Tirana and the Albanian “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” team. EcoAlbania wants to know more about the plants in this ecosystem and to what extent they might be threatened by proposed dam construction. The goal of our project was to determine the social impacts of a potential dam on the medicinal and aromatic plant trade in the Vjosa watershed region, looking specifically at Permet, Tepelene and Kelcyre. Our sponsor does not have up-to-date information on the status of MAPs, so they want more information to assist in their goal of preserving the natural state of the Vjosa River, using the results of our project as promotional material. To achieve this goal, we compiled the following objectives: 1. Create a comprehensive inventory of medicinal and aromatic plant species in the Vjosa watershed and evaluate the findings

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2. Delineate the practices of people involved with medicinal and aromatic plant trade and collection in the Vjosa watershed 3. Identify themes for a documentary based on interviews to be used as promotional material to advocate for the preservation of the rural livelihood

Methods

Some key methods employed by our team to accomplish this project include the utilization of interviews and field study within the regions of Përmet, Tepelenë and Këlcyrë, along with the analysis of previously published data. One of our first steps in this project was to create a complete and in-depth inventory of the medicinal and aromatic plants found in the Vjosa Valley through the synthesis of information from a few Masters and PhD theses and several reference books. For each plant in the spreadsheet, we included its Latin name, Albanian name, English name, locations it can be found, the type of plant (i.e. angiosperm, gymnosperm) and its endangerment state, if applicable. We also conducted several semi-structured interviews in order to gain more information about the MAP industry. By interviewing key stakeholders in the MAP supply chain, we were able to analyze the perspective of each level of the chain, develop conclusions on each level’s contribution to the industry and estimate the dam’s impact on each level. After conducting interviews in both Tirana and the Vjosa basin, our team developed a short documentary to showcase the social impacts of the MAPs trade and the potential dam on rural communities. We did this by identifying the major themes to include in the documentary by analyzing previous interviews and determining which clips and interviews supported those themes. The documentary will be used by our sponsor as a persuasion tool to further their organization’s goal to preserve the natural state of the Vjosa River.

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Findings Inventory of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in the Vjosa Watershed

After the creation of the inventory of MAPs in the Vjosa watershed, we were able to analyze it to evaluate which plants were most commonly collected and which plants were most endangered. The information we found proves that the Vjosa is in incredibly biodiverse region in terms of plant species. Yet we discovered that approximately 12% of the plants that we included in our inventory were either endangered or threatened to some extent. This finding leads us to believe that the biodiversity in the Vjosa region could be in danger if these plant populations do not recover. In addition, from the interviews we conducted with collectors and production companies, most were not concerned about the state of the engenderment but were trading MAPs that were labeled as vulnerable on the red list. For example, Agathokli Proko, a collector, referred to mountain tea (çaj mali) as protected and endangered but he mentioned that it was still commonly traded.

Practices and Perspectives of Persons and Organizations Involved with the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Trade in the Vjosa Watershed

Throughout our time in our field study, the bulk of the information about the harvesters, collectors and production companies was obtained from interactions and interviews with key stakeholders. The field study thoroughly clarified the roles of the stakeholders and how they interacted with one another. Unfortunately, our team was not able to conduct interviews with local harvesters, but we obtained information about them from collectors and production companies. One of the most important findings we discovered for the role of harvesters within the MAPs trade was how important the collectors are for their position in the industry. Agathokli Proko, a collector in Permet, said during an interview that most harvesters do not have the means of taking their plants to the next step (personal communications, Nov. 15 2016). We can draw the conclusion that many harvesters’ roles depend greatly on the collectors because the collector are the contacts that help them sell their plants.

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During our field study, we conducted two key interviews with collectors, in which our team received similar findings from both. Two important findings were that collectors don’t have contracts with the production companies and that they need to hold a great reputation in order to maintain a good relationship with production companies. Our team interviewed two production companies that collect around Albania and in the Vjosa Watershed: Gjedra Production Company and AlbKalustyan. From these interviews we learned about the general environment surrounding production companies. It was stated by both of our interviewees that there is no competition between other production companies, which we found to be interesting, as it is unlike any business we have encountered.

Identify Themes for a Documentary about the Effects of the Dam on the MAPs trade and Rural Livelihood

After conducting interviews in the Vjosa region, our team could then begin to develop the major themes to focus on in our documentary. There were three themes that were identified: the ecological value and aesthetic power of the Vjosa River, the significance of river and MAPs to rural livelihood and the effect of the potential dams on MAPs trade and rural livelihood. With those themes identified, we were then able to select clips and interview sections that reflected them and were able to synthesize them into a cohesive and persuasive video.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The major impact our field study had on our project was the ability to witness the perspectives of stakeholders first hand. Our team interviewed the collectors and production companies to understand their roles within the MAPs supply chain and how they interacted with the harvesters. The impacts, findings and themes found throughout our field study will be comprised into a documentary Throughout the project, our team faced limitations and difficulties that we had to overcome. One significant obstacle we faced during the field study was a language barrier.

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Many times in Tepelenë and Përmet, we found ourselves relying heavily on a translator. Another struggle our team faced was finding transportation for the interviews. In addition, the goal of analyzing information and data for economic contribution of the trade was not possible due to lack of information the collectors and production companies in the interviews questions and probes.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our sponsors at EcoAlbania and the University of Tirana for their superb guidance during the course of our project. To begin, we could not have done this project without Professor Aleko Miho from the University of Tirana, who was there to answer our questions every step of the way. Additionally, Professor Miho has dedicated countless hours of his busy schedule to contribute to the success of our project, gathering needed information from various Albanian sources that we otherwise would not have been able to access. He, along with Professor Lulzim Shuka and Dr. Jani Marka have shown us incredible hospitality and have made us feel very welcome during our stay in Tirana. We are incredibly grateful and lucky to work with such highly motivated and generous people. Furthermore, the professors introduced us to Gerta Bidoshi, who is a Masters student working in the Department of Biology. We would like to extend our gratitude to her for working diligently on parts of the project with us, all while taking rigorous courses at the University of Tirana. Our sponsors at the office of EcoAlbania also deserve to be acknowledged. Olsi Nika, Besjana Guri, and Dr. Pranvera Bekteshi have all inspired our team with their passion and commitment to their cause. They have helped us tremendously every step of the way, from the logistics of our field study to the general goal of our project, all while dealing with the pressing issues of running an environmental NGO. We were very fortunate to work at their office on a daily basis, as we have developed both personal and professional relationships with them. We would hope to stay in contact even after we depart for the United States. Through Olsi and Besjana, we met Eltoni Pashollari, Alexander Totti and Gëzim Shehu, who acted as translators and guides for us during our field studies. Without their hospitality,

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transportation, and patient translations, a large portion of this project would not have been possible. We would also like to acknowledge our interviewees for answering all of our questions and taking time out of their days to help us with our project. Their thoughtful responses became the base of our findings chapter, and we could not have done our project without their cooperation. Finally, we would like to thank our project advisors, Professor Robert Hersh and Professor Peter Christopher, for their unwavering support throughout the duration of our project. With their guidance and timely feedback, we were able to realize our project’s true potential. They were always willing to help us with the difficulties of our project, and we are incredibly grateful for their support.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

The Vjosa River is one of the largest rivers in Albania. It is considered to be one of the last wild rivers in Europe, as there are no dams along its main course. However, this rare natural state is threatened by more than 25 small hydropower plants (HPPs) either planned or already under construction along the Vjosa and its tributaries. Environmentalists, including our sponsor, EcoAlbania, are working to encourage the government to save its natural state and prevent dam construction. HPP development can result in profound and long-term negative environmental consequences, disrupting the integrity of the ecosystem and causing to loss of biodiversity. The Vjosa region is incredibly biodiverse, which allows the medicinal and aromatic plant industry to play a significant role in both the local and national economies. In rural regions such as the Vjosa watershed, households harvest and sell MAPs to earn money, with such sales contributing up to 35% of rural family income (Furth 2015). Given the significance of this industry and the impending dam construction, EcoAlbania wants to better understand the relationship between MAPs and the rural livelihoods in the Vjosa watershed and how they may be affected by the dams. The goal of our project was to determine the social impacts of a potential dam on the medicinal and aromatic plant trade in the Vjosa watershed region. We determined the best way to showcase these impacts was through a documentary. It was achieved through assessing the current information related to medicinal plants and also through interviews with collectors and businesses in Tirana and in the region. Interviews with collectors and producers that use and benefit from these resources were conducted to identify current practices surrounding wild harvesting and cultivation, and to understand the steps in the supply chain and its impact by the HPPs development along the river ecosystem.

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Chapter 2: Background and Literature Review 2.1 The Vjosa River and its Catchment

The Vjosa River in Albania is one of Europe’s last living wild rivers. Along its entire course of over 270 kilometers it is untamed and free flowing and characterized by beautiful canyons, braided river sections, islands, oxbows and meandering stretches. In some areas the riverbed ex- pands over more than 2 km in width. What makes this river really out- standing internationally is the fact, that almost all its tributaries are free flowing and intact as well, creating a living rivers network that is without par in Europe.

The main source of the Vjosa River is in Greek territory near the village of Vouvoussa (the ancient name of Vjosa). On its first 80 kilometers the river flows through Greece and is named Aoós. In Albania it turns into Vjosa. The two main tributaries in Albania are the Drinos River, which also originates in Greek territory, and the Shushica River, which is locat- ed in the mountainous area between Vlora and Gjirokastra. The Vjosa is draining a total area of 6,700 km² in Albania and Greece and discharges an average of 204 m³/s into the Adriatic Sea.The Vjosa River is one of the largest rivers in Southern Europe, extending 272 kilometers from the Pindos Mountains in Greece to the Adriatic Sea in Vlora (Figure 1) (Save the Blue Heart of Europe 2016). It passes through several major regions in Southern Albania, including Përmeti, Tepelena and Gjirokastra, and has several tributaries associated with it.

Figure 1: The Vjosa/Aoos basin © (http://balkanrivers.net/en/key-areas/vjosa-river)

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Figure 2: Vjew of Vjosa River in the Upper sector, Çarshova (left) and Këlcyra (right) (© A. Miho & L. Shuka)

The river can be divided into three sections based on the topography of the region (Figure 2): the lower sector, which is comprised of wetlands and at sea level (Figure 3); the middle sector, which is comprised of hills of varying altitudes (Figure 4) and the upper sector, which is composed of more mountainous and choppy terrain (Figure 5) (A. Miho, personal communication, Nov. 30, 2016). The lower sector is also frequently flooded, as shown in Figure 6 (A. Miho, personal communication, Nov. 30, 2016), (Sala & Qirjazi, 2016).

Figure 3: View of Vjosa River in Tepelena (Middle sector) © Christian-Baumgartner

The Vjosa River in Albania is of pan-European or even global importance. It represents one of the last intact large river systems in Europe, flowing from the Pindus Mountains in Greece to the Adriatic Sea without artificial obstacles. It hosts all different types of ecosystems:

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from the narrow gorges in the upper part to the wide braided river sections in the middle part to the near natural delta at the Adriatic Sea.

Figure 4: Altitudinal map of the Vjosa Basin © Sala & Qirjazi, 2016

The natural values are reflected by the biodiversity of the river. The delta of Vjosa River it is proclaimed as Protected Landscape (IUCN Figure 5: View of wetlands in Vjosa delta Lower sector © A. Miho Category V). The characteristic natural sandy dunes are very important in terms of biodiversity conservation as well as on decreasing the erosion process. The wetlands of the delta area host high values of transitional ecosystem biodiversity.

Figure 6: Flooding of Vjosa low sector during 31 January to 5 February 2015 © Sala & Qirjazi, 2016

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The flooding are usually periodic in the Vjosa River, but due to its near natural status the flooding is softer than elsewhere in Europe. However the high erosion due to clearance of the vegetation along the riverbanks is the main factor of increasing the speed of flooding.

As of the last census, the total population of the region was 184, 781 inhabitants (INSTAT 2011). The Vjosa Valley is much less densely populated than the rest of Albania, with an average density of 40.7 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national average of 97 inhabitants per km2 (INSTAT 2011). A large majority of the population, approximately 70%, is Figure 7: Vjosa main administrative units (Municipalities) (ELSA: ASTER DGEM WED 1 Arc second resolution; October concentrated in the lower sector of the 2014, in © Sala & Qirjazi, 2016 river, which has more urbanized cities such as Vlora and Fieri (A. Miho, personal communication, Nov. 30, 2016). In the more mountainous upper sector of the river, the population density significantly decreases to be about 10 inhabitants/km2 (A. Miho, personal communication, Nov. 30, 2016). The municipalities of the region are outlined in Figure 7.

2.2 Biodiversity in the Vjosa Catchment

The districts in the Vjosa catchment area are incredibly biodiverse, with over 700 taxa of higher plants found in only Gjirokastra (Malo 2010). In his PhD thesis, Malo addresses this by identifying twelve new taxa, fourty species that were localized to one area and thirty rare and endangered species, such as Viola acrocerauniensis and Stachys seratophylla (2010), (A. Miho, personal communication, Nov. 30, 2016). Malo also identifies seven habitat priority types (EUNIS, IPA), which are endangered species that have high floristic value (2010), (A. Miho, personal communication, Nov. 30, 2016). Miho et al found that there are over 570 species of higher plants in the lower sector, more coastal region of the Vjosa (2013). According to Lulëzm

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Shuka, it is difficult to estimate a total number of higher plant species in the entire Vjosa region, but other experts have estimated there to be over 1500 species (personal communication), (A. Miho, personal communication, Nov. 30, 2016). The figures below show some of the plants found in this extremely biodiverse region.

Figure 8: Charophyta from Drino River: Chara vulgaris (left) and Chara vulgarisf. longibracteata with red reproductive organs (right) (© L. Kashta)

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Figure 9: Rare plants from the calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation: 1, Hypericum haplophylloides; 2, Campanula versicolor; 3, Alkanna corcyrensis; 4, Cymbalaria microcalyx subsp. microcalyx; 5, Lilium candidum; 6, Silene cephallenia. This habitat type occurs almost everywhere, along the river and its tributaries (© L. Shuka).

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Figure 10: Rare plants from the alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior. They forms arborescent galleries of tall Salix alba and are important sites for orchid species: 1, Ophrys helenea; 2, Orchis morio; 3, Ophrys sphegodes; 4, Crocus hadriaticus; 5, Ophrys mammosa; 6, Ophrys epirotica (© L. Shuka)

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Figure 11: Above: coastal dunes (nature monument) with European beach grass (Ammophila arenaria) in Poro (Narta). Below: Sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum), an endangered species from the coastal dunes of Poro (© M. Xhulaj) (Miho et al., 2013)

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Figure 12: Eastern Strawberry Tree (Arbutus andrachne - Ericaceae), with ripen fruits in autumn (© L. Kashta) (Shumka et al., 2016) 2.3 Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Over the past decade there had been a clear increase in the demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). These MAPs are defined as “botanical raw materials,” from which herbal and medicinal drugs, culinary spices, and cosmetic products are created (ITC, http://www.intracen.org/itc/sectors/medicinal-plants/). There is also a section within the MAPs trade that is focused on essential oils, which are processed from the MAPs and then sold at a higher value. These products are highly sought by medicinal practitioners and common people alike, therefore increasing the demand for MAPs each year (ITC, http://www.intracen.org/itc/sectors/medicinal-plants/). In Albania, home-use of MAPs for traditional medicine is a common occurrence (P. Kumi, personal communication, Sept. 15, 2016). For example, household members rely on traditional herbal medicines for most minor illnesses. Because of this practice, some people cultivate a few of the more commonly used species in their household gardens so that they are readily accessible (Pieroni 2010). MAPs use has also been expanding across global markets for more than solely medicinal purposes, including the sale of essential oils and herb products,

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particularly in the US (Shera 2016). It is estimated that twenty-nine percent of rural Albanian households are involved in the trade or collection of MAPs (Imami et al 2015). This involvement is very important to many families, especially in northern Albania, where it can contribute almost thirty-five percent of a household income (Agroweb 2016); (Furth 2015).

2.4 Overview of the Economic Impact of MAPs in Albania

Albania is an incredibly biodiverse country in terms of medicinal and aromatic plants, resulting in a significant and well-established industry. Almost 30% of the plant species in Europe can be found in Albania. Amongst these plants, 27 species and 150 subspecies are native to Albania (Kathe et al 2003). This diversity of MAPs solidifies Albania’s strong position in the international market. The international market demands many different essential oils and MAPs, including sage, thyme, lavender, winter savory, juniper, and oregano (USAID 2009). In 2015, the top importers, measured by economic value, of Albanian MAPs were Germany, USA, Turkey and France, together representing seventy-one percent of the 28,675,000 USD worth of exports (ITC 2015). Table 1 illustrates the value of MAP exports to other countries and the share they hold in the business. For example, we can see that 28% of Albanian MAPs are exported to Germany and 26.6% to USA. This is important because recently, the USA has become a key investor in the Albanian MAP trade to allow for the expansion of the industry by promoting improved storage and processing facilities (Shera 2016). With an increase in the demand of MAPs exported from Albania, the sector of essential oils and MAPs has received more public attention, causing sector development as the interest in this industry has increased (Imami et al 2015).

Table 1: MAP Exports from Albania to Major Purchasing Countries *Table based on 2015 data from ITC (International Trade Centre)

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2.5 Structural Overview of the MAPs Industry

The structure of the MAPs supply chain needs to be studied in order to understand the economic contribution of each level. The supply chain begins with the local harvesters, who are responsible for collecting plants from the wild. Independent collectors at the district level buy MAPs from wild harvesters and cultivators, and act as middlemen between the harvesters, the processors and the packagers (Figure 12). Many tend to be independent and without contracts because most serve in supply and demand. A certain percentage of district level collectors tend to have the facilities that provide drying and processing of the MAPs before being sold to the market, who typically charge an additional ten percent (Paul 2014). District level collectors without facilities usually purchase plants in several different districts, using personal relationships with their harvesters and cultivators in order to make their business as successful as possible (Imami et al 2015). Annually, district regional collectors receive a capacity of 20-100 tons of MAPs (Imami et al 2015). However, due to the increased demand for MAPs in recent years, processing companies, who are typically responsible for exportation, have been traveling to remote villages to directly purchase MAPs, and cutting out the need for collectors (USAID 2009). The collectors sell to three different markets: packagers, medium processors and large processors (Figure 12). The packagers sell the MAPs to local markets and supermarkets. Medium and large processor receive MAPs directly from collectors and harvesters (Figure 1). Medium-sized processors are mainly responsible for direct sales to foreign customers, (USAID 2009) while large processors have a more organized operation, working with large international companies such as McCormick's (Paul 2014); (USAID 2009). Alb-Ducros, the largest of these companies, engages in high level trade with countries such as Germany, USA and France (USAID 2009). When large companies get to a multinational level, they export 500 to 2300 tons of essential oils and MAPs each year, while medium companies export anywhere from 1000-1200 tons (Imami et al 2015).

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Figure 13: Flowchart of the Supply Chain © Graphic from USAID 2009

2.6 MAPs Trade in the Vjosa Valley

There are many medicinal and aromatic plant species that grow in the biodiverse Vjosa watershed and they comprise a large portion of the rural Albanian livelihood, as 35% of community income is based in the MAP trade (Furth 2015). Medicinal and aromatic plants products are involved in the everyday life of rural Albanians and the majority are collected from wild-grown plants within the watershed. They provide income to many families, help preserve cultural heritage through their use in folk medicinal practice, and on a national scale, stimulate the growth of Albania’s international exports (Imami et al 2015). An ever-growing industry centered on MAPs has developed significantly the past few years in rural Albania, but many concerns are developing over the sustainability of thecurrent harvesting methods. USAID says that “problems of sustainability in wild MAPs harvesting are causing a reduction of supply” (2009). Increase in demand from international companies for certain MAPs have led to a focus on quantity, which has affected the biodiversity and the health of plant populations (USAID 2009). Early harvesting and the removing of the stalks of plants has affected the prevalence of the MAPs and reduced quality (Imami et al 2015).

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Even with this reduction in quality of the plant product, companies that are the main purchasers of the MAPs are willing to buy the plants, giving incentives to harvesters to maintain this destructive harvesting technique (Imami et al 2015). Figure 2 from Paul’s report outlines the plants that are commonly exported and how the types of plants has changed over the past five years. The proportion of sage to other MAPs has decreased over the past decade, likely due to improper harvesting practices, according to Paul’s Value Chain Analysis (2014). According to Schippman et al in 2006, developing and maintaining more sustainable harvesting practices becomes more important as MAP species are threatened due to overharvesting the more sought-after wild species. This is especially important in Albania, as at least two species of plants no longer exist (Kathe et al 2003). In addition, five percent of flowering plants, some of which are MAPs, in Albania are classified as Critically Endangered, and eighteen percent as Endangered (Kathe et al 2003). Due to market demand and ready accessibility, the wild-harvesting of plants is the predominant source of MAPs in Albania. Sustainable harvesting is considered an ideal method for MAPs collection, given certain requirements, such as having an adequate plant population (Schippmann et al 2006). As mentioned before, the harvesting of MAPs is Illustration of the Variety of MAPs in Figure 14 : important to a large number of people, yet Albania despite this importance, USAID (2009) and *Figure from Paul’s Value Chain Analysis (2014)

Schippmann et al (2006) report that they are harvested in an irresponsible manner, which not only reduces the quality of the product, but could eventually lead to the local extinction of these species. This improper harvesting is driven by the proliferation of unlicensed collectors, who are outside the oversight of the National Licensing Center and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Water administration. The reason for this unsustainable harvesting is that some

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collectors purchase MAPs based on weight, without taking quality into consideration (USAID 2009). Factors that both damage plant health and lead to lowered quality include harvesters collecting sage a month before it has ripened, as well as cutting the entire stalk or uprooting the plant in order to obtain more plant mass, instead of removing the leaves as is recommended (USAID 2009; Imami et al 2015). Other factors leading to poor quality include improper handling and processing practices, especially on the supply end, where plants are often sun dried. MAPs should be dried in the proper way by on top of plastic sheets or rocks, leading to a large loss of volatile compounds (USAID 2009). Gjedra SH.P.K, a medium production company in Berat, handles the guidelines for proper harvesting very seriously. Each of their harvesters receive guideline pamphlets for proper dying and it is states that MAPs drying should be done in plastic bags and away from chickens and grapes (Gjedra SH.P.K). This contrasts with World Health Organization guidelines from 2003 that recommend medicinal plants be collected during the appropriate season so that the source material is as strong as possible, and that portions of the plant that will not be used in the final product such as stalks or roots not be harvested. The European Herb Growers Association agrees with this assessment in its 2010 document “Guidelines for Good Agricultural and Wild Collection Practices for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.” It is also recommended that the harvesters be trained in the proper post-harvesting procedures, such as keeping the plant material out of direct sunlight unless best practices for that plant call for it (World Health Organization 2003). Some processors do provide training to the local harvesters to ensure that the collected plants are of good quality and that the plants continue to self-propagate (L. Strumi, personal communication, Nov. 08, 2016). Furth suggests that the quality of harvested plants could be improved with government and donor sponsored training on proper collection, as well as the subsidization of drying racks for harvesters. He believes that this will lead to both increased environmental protection, as improved harvesting practices will lead to less damage to plants. Rural harvesters should also see an increased quality of life, as they ought to receive more money for their product, due to the fact that poor harvesting and post-harvesting techniques currently result in a loss of yield between forty and fifty percent (Furth 2015).

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Cultivation is a more sustainable, but less enticing option when considering the cultural and environmental ramifications, and will sometimes result in an end product of lower quality (USAID 2009). But, not all MAPs are available to be wild-harvested. For example, lavender is only cultivated but sage can be both wild-harvested and cultivated (Paul 2014). Some practitioners of traditional medicine will only use wild-collected MAPs because of cultural preference (Schippmann et al 2006). Wild-harvested MAPs are typically used for the production of essential oils, as the production of cultivated MAPs cannot keep up with the demand (USAID 2009). Also, as Furth discusses in his 2015 report on the MAPs sector in Albania, the wild-grown plants of Albania are of extremely high quality and are difficult to replicate with cultivation. Essential oils produced with wild-harvested MAPs also produce more of a profit than the cultivated MAP essential oil (USAID 2009). Therefore, many harvesters tend to focus their efforts more on wild-harvesting than on cultivation, as they can make more of an immediate profit with the wild-harvested plants. In terms of the environment, maintaining genetic diversity among plants during cultivation is also a concern, as there is less opportunity for cross-breeding in a controlled environment (Schippmann et al 2006). Since good cultivation practices are not widely practiced in Albania, a new and sustainable harvesting method needs to be developed and implemented to avoid any further issues (Furth 2015); (USAID 2009); (Paul 2014).

2.7 HPP Development in the Vjosa Catchment

Currently there are plans to construct a chain of hydropower plants (approximately twenty-five) along the Vjosa River and its tributaries (A. Miho, personal communication, Nov. 30, 2016). Two of the most significant dams under construction are located in Pocemi and Kalivaçi, as both sites involve dams of various sizes, tunnels and channels (A. Miho, personal communication, Nov. 20, 2016). Professor Miho from the University of Tirana expressed concern for the Vjosa River with the construction of these dams when he said, “The two dams in Poçemi and Kalivaçi dams will destroy one of the ecologically most valuable river stretches, characterized by gravel islands and alluvial forests. They will destroy the free flowing character of Vjosa River, one of the most striking feature of the

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river. Its stable and continuous freshwater ecosystem, which is the basis of its biodiversity, will be lost forever. HPP activities led to the fragmentation of habitats, which threatens the existence of large carnivores” (A. Miho, personal communication, Nov. 30, 2016). Figures 15 and 16 show some locations of planned dams and dam construction sites.

. Figure 15: The planned HPPs on Vjosa River (Schwarz, 2012; EURONATUR & RIVERWATCH, 2013)

Figure 16: HPP pressure in Vjosa basin: abandoned works in Kalivaçi, Vjosa River© Roland Dorozhani

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2.8 Role of EcoAlbania

Our sponsor, EcoAlbania, is a non-governmental environmental group, created by professors from the University of Tirana and the Albanian “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” team. It is dedicated to protecting natural ecosystems and increasing public awareness of environmental issues. Their interest in this project is connected to the proposed hydropower projects in the Vjosa region as both they and other organizations are concerned that dams could significantly impact the biodiversity of the Vjosa River watershed (Neslen 2015). This region is especially important since the river is described as a scientific “blank page.” Since it has survived to this day without human interference, it offers a rare glance at an ecosystem relatively untouched by industry (EcoAlbania 2015). EcoAlbania wants to know more about the plants in this ecosystem and whether or or to what extent how they might be threatened by proposed construction. Part of this interest stems from how these plants are important to communities, both socially and economically. By collecting information about these plants and their ingrained connection with local communities, EcoAlbania will be able to determine areas that are vulnerable and make a persuasive argument for their protection (Aleko Miho, personal communication, 2016). EcoAlbania wants to better understand the relationship between MAPs and the rural livelihoods in the Vjosa watershed and how they may be affected by the dams (Aleko Miho, personal communication, 2016). In the following chapter, we will discuss how we designed our study to aid our sponsors.

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Chapter 3: Methodology

The goal of the project was to determine the social impacts of a potential dam on the medicinal and aromatic plant trade in the Vjosa watershed region, looking specifically at Permet, Tepelenë and Këlcyrë. Our sponsor does not have up-to-date information on the status of MAPs, so they want more information to assist in their goal of preserving the natural state of the Vjosa River, using the results of our project as promotional material. To achieve this goal, we compiled the following objectives:

1. Create a comprehensive inventory of medicinal and aromatic plant species in the Vjosa watershed and evaluate the findings 2. Delineate the practices of people involved with medicinal and aromatic plant trade and collection in the Vjosa watershed 3. Identify themes for a documentary based on interviews to be used as promotional material to advocate for the preservation of the rural livelihood

3.1 Inventory of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Creating an Inventory of MAPs

The first step in identifying which medicinal and aromatic plants grow in the Vjosa catchment area was to find and synthesize information from books, Masters and Ph.D theses, as well as pamphlets from production companies and collectors.

Sources Referenced

Author and Year Albanian Name English Name Published

Medicinal Plants in the Bimet Mjeksore ne Familje Kokalari et al., 1980 Family

Si kurohen me bimë Treating diseases with Dankshi, 2012 sëmundjet plants

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Studim i diversitetit bimor Study of plant diversity in Malo S, 2010 ne rrethin e gjirokastres. the district of Gjirokaster

Vlerësimi ekonomik dhe Economic and ecological ekologjik i bimëve evaluation of medicinal and mjekësore dhe aromatike të aromatic plants of Albania Pazari, 2014 shqipërisë në funksion të for the development of rural zhvillimit të ekonomisë economy rurale.

Zona e mbrojtur Kardhiq- Kardhiq-Rrëzomë Protected Rrëzomë (Probleme dhe area, problems and solution Shuka L, Draçi B, 2004 mundësi zgjidhjeje). opportunities

Bimët aromatike të Qarkut Aromatic plants in the Çela M, 2012 të Gjirokastrës district of Gjirokaster

Table 2: Sources used for Inventory Based on these sources, a list of the Latin, Albanian and English name of each species and type of plant was created. We compiled all of the names in a spreadsheet, making sure all of the names were spelled correctly and that there were no mistakes. After they were all compiled, we checked through them to make sure there were no duplicates. Each of these species was checked against the Red List of Albanian plants, and if present, its conservation status was included. When available from the sources above, the locations where each species grows were also included. Professor Miho aided us by going through the Albanian language texts Flora Eskursioniste e Shqipërisë by Demiri M. (1983) and Flora e Shqipërisë; Botim i Akademisë së Shkencave and determining where each of the species grow.

Identifying the Most Commonly Harvested and Traded MAPs

To identify the most commonly harvested and traded MAPs, we began by looking through our interview transcripts to determine which plants were the most important for each Production Company and collector. Some plants were discussed at length during our interviews, and some of our interviewees even offered us economic data to assert that these plants were crucial for the success of their business. For example, Xhevit Hysenaj from AlbKalustyan only

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mentioned four plants during our interview, the four plants that were probably the most significant to his company. These four plants were sage (Salvia officinalis), oregano (Origanum vulgare), common juniper (Juniper communis), and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia/vera). Mr. Hysenaj then spoke about the economic significance of sage to his company, saying that he buys it at $1/kg, and then he sells it at $2.20-$2.50/kg. When we toured his facility after the interview, he was processing entirely sage that day, and he explained to us that it was his biggest export (Xhevit Hysenaj, personal communication, 2016). Although some of the other interviewees may not have had specific economic data to give us like Mr. Hysenaj, they indicated which plants they traded and which plants were important to their businesses. After determining which plants were the most important to each of the interviewees, we cross-referenced all of the interviews to see if there were any plants that were important to more than one of our interviewees. In addition, we looked at online product lists from various companies in the region. The products on these lists were tabulated and the top 15 plants traded by the greatest amount of companies chosen for inclusion. Notes were made of plants traded in higher volumes, based on data found in our interviews and available on company websites. Through this process, the following table was developed, as shown in Table X: Mapping Hydropower Plants along the Vjosa Watershed. Based on our MAPs inventory, we created a map to show where the plants are in

Table 3: HPPs in the Vjosa River Basin

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respect to the built and the proposed hydropower plants in the region. In order to accomplish this, our sponsor provided us with a spreadsheet containing the names of the hydropower plants, the status of their construction, their satellite location, and a few other details. A summary of this spreadsheet is shown here in Table 3, while the detailed data can be seen in Appendix I.

While a map of this data already existed in an image file, we hoped to create an interactive version of the map so EcoAlbania could upload it to their website. We decided to use Google Earth and Google My Maps to store the data digitally. Since these softwares require a certain format, the coordinates needed to be converted into latitude and longitude from degrees minutes seconds. This was done using an online converter (http://www.pgc.umn.edu/tools/conversion). The new coordinates were placed into a spreadsheet as shown in Table 4.

Table 4: Converted HPP Coordinates

The spreadsheet was then uploaded to Google My Maps using the “import” feature, and the data points can be seen on the map in the following Figure 17.

Figure 17: Data Points on Map 32

Once the data was entered into Google My Maps, we needed to distinguish between the types of dams (existing, planned, under construction, etc.) We accomplished this by creating different styles of pins on the map, and also creating a Map Legend. This new map and Map Legend are shown in Figure 18.

Figure 18: HPP Map and Map Legend

After differentiating the points on the map, our sponsor wanted the map to be more aesthetic. To do this, our sponsor recommended that we highlight the different watershed regions of Albania in addition to highlighting the Vjosa River and its tributaries.

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We began by highlighting the watersheds of Albania. This was done by overlaying a picture and tracing the watersheds onto Google Earth. The original picture and the traced satellite areas can be seenin Figure 19.

Figure 19: Original Image and Traced Satellite Areas

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Figure 20: Highlighted

Once the areas were traced onto Google Earth, they were downloaded as a .kml file, and imported into Google Maps as a new layer. The outcome is shown in the following Figure 20.

After adding the watershed layers to the Google My Maps, we began to highlight the rivers and tributaries in the Vjosa region. Using the “draw path” feature on Google Earth, we traced the river and its tributaries, and then downloaded it as a .kml file. After uploading the file to Google My Maps, our map was complete. The final product can be seen in Figure 21.

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Figure 21: Final Interactive Map

3.2 Field Study and Interviews Field Study

During the week of November 14, 2016 to November 18, 2016 our team traveled to the Vjosa watershed region to visit Permet, Tepelene and Kelcyre. We visited local markets, interviewed collectors and production companies and took footage of the region. Before our team could visit the Vjosa watershed we prepared a detailed itinerary for the trip (Appendix F). The itinerary included potential interview contacts, recommended hotels, and translators and guides. Translators and guides were crucial to us because many locals did not speak English and the majority of interviews were in locations where buses could not travel. Our sponsors Olsi, Besjana and Professor Miho were our biggest resources when it came to accomplishing this. Professor Miho gave us a list of contacts within the region we could interview, all collectors and production companies. Olsi and Besjana, from EcoAlbania,

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prepared us with the logistics of the trip. For example, they provided two main guides and translators. Table 5 demonstrates condensed a timelines of our trip.

Date Location Guide Reason for Visit

November 14, 2016 Permet Canyon Eltoni GoPro footage for the documentary

November 15, 2016 Permet and Eltoni Interviews Kelcyre

November 16, 2016 Tepelene Alex GoPro footage for the documentary

November 17, 2016 Tepelene Alex -

November 18, 2016 Tepelene Alex Interview

Table 5: Condensed Trip Timeline

Visits to Supermarkets and Street Markets

Coming into Albania, we had an understanding from our background research that MAPs play a large role in society. Part of what we wanted to explore was to understand the integration and importance of the MAP industry in the everyday lives of Albanians, in both Tirana and the Vjosa Valley. To do so, our team observed the general presence of medicinal and aromatic plants in the supermarkets in the city of Tirana and also took notice of the various street vendors selling MAPs in the area. While in the Vjosa Valley, we visited a street market in Permet where local harvesters sold the MAPs that they harvested every day, along with fruits, vegetables and other products. At the market, we took some footage for our documentary and most importantly, talked to several of the local harvesters, translated through Eltoni, to understand where they collected the plants and how often they came to the markets. This trip to the market was unexpected, so we did not have any formal interview question prepared, but we did take some notes on what was said.

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Preparation for Interviewing Collectors and Production Companies

Interviewing collectors and production companies is a crucial part of evaluating our objectives within the Vjosa watershed region. Our team conducted these interviews to help identify the importance of the MAPs trade in Albania and the roles of its stakeholders. Before we had arrived in Albania, our team had prepared different sets of questions for collectors and production companies. After deliberation, our team decided to use semi- structured interviews because it is a qualitative method of discovering “why rather than how many or how much” (F. Fylan, A Handbook of Research Methods for Clinical and Health Psychology, 2005). Semi-structured interviews are more relaxed than structured interviews and our team wanted the liberty to probe our interviewees or to change the questions if we felt that they had already given satisfactory information (F. Fylan, A Handbook of Research Methods for Clinical and Health Psychology, 2005). Some cons of semi-interviews are that they require preparation work by the interviewers to be able to successfully receive in-depth answers, not just simple answers. In order to develop our interviewing skills, we had a practice interview with a group of Albanian students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute before our departure. This preparation work was very important because our team learned how we needed to probe with semi-structured questions and also how to get our interviewees to communicate in a relaxed conversation. When we interviewed the regional collectors and production companies, the questions focused heavily on the quality of the plants and the interactions between harvesters, collectors and production companies. Initially, our team had created the introduction and interview questions in English (Appendix B) and with the help of Professor Miho, Olsi, Besjana and Gerta, our questions were translated into Albanian (Appendix C).

Sample questions for collectors are as follows: 1. How many harvesters do you currently work with? 2. What certifications about quality or tradition harvesting methods are required for exporting your products to EU countries and other countries such as the US?

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Sample questions for production companies are as follows: 1. Can you give us an overview of how you work with local harvesters and collectors to purchase MAPs? 2. What guidelines does your company use to decide which collectors/harvesters you buy from (quality, guaranteed quantity, etc)? Interviewing Collectors and Production Companies

Throughout our time in Albania our team conducted five interviews (Table X), three of which were during our field study in the Vjosa watershed. All of the interviewees had different backgrounds, ranging from collectors with facilities to collectors without, and from medium to large production companies. The collectors were Agathokli Proko (Përmet), Armando Aldu (Tepelenë), and Fejzi Mullaraj (Këlcyrë). The two production companies we interviewed were in Berat and Maminas, Gjedra Processing Facility and AlbKalustyan Processing Facility, respectively.

Date Location Interviewee Occupation Translator

Production Company: November 4, 2016 Maminas Xhevit Hysenaj AlbKalustyan Not needed Processing Facility

Production Company: Linda Struni for November 8, 2016 Berat Linda Struni Gjedra Processing head botanist Facility

November 15, 2016* Permet Agathokli Proko Collector Eltoni

November 15, 2016* Kelcyre Fejzi Mullaraj Collector Eltoni

Collector solely November 18, 2015* Tepelene Armando Aldu working for: Alex AlbDucros

Table 6: Interview Timeline (*) Marks the interviews during our field study

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The first interview we conducted was with the production company, AlbKalustyan Processing Facility, in Maminas accompanied by Professor Miho, Professor Shuka, and Gerta. AlbKalustyan Processing Facility is a large production company with multiple locations in Albania. The company collects from the Vjosa watershed region and combined with their partnering companies, they produce 70% of world's sage. The interview was led by Professor Miho and at the end of the interview our team was given a chance to ask our semi-structured interview questions. The reason for this interview was to identify the role that production companies play in the MAPs trade and the relationship between production companies and the collectors from the Vjosa watershed region. Our team was given a tour of the facilities afterward. Although we were not allowed to take footage, we learned valuable lessons about the storage facility. A translator was not needed for this interview because the interviewee, Xhevit Hysenaj, spoke English.

Our second interview was with Gjedra Processing Facility, located in Berat. The company is a medium sized production company that collects mainly from the Berat region. However, this company did have collectors located in the Vjosa watershed region. The reason for this interview was to see the structure of a medium sized production company, and also to test run a mix of production company and collector questions. The interview was led by Sara and probed by Daniel and Basak. A translator was not needed for this interview because the main contact, Linda Struni, answered the questions and probes and helped communication between the companies botanist. The team was given a tour of the facilities and footage was taken (Figure X).

For our field studies, Professor Miho provided us with a list of contacts that consisted of collectors and harvesters within the regions of Permet, Tepelenë, Këlcyrë, and Gjirokaster. Initially, we thought we would be contacting these contacts ourselves by email. Our team prepared a sample email for production companies in English and in Albanian with a quick overview of our project and asking an available time for interview (Appendix G, Appendix H). However, due to the difficulty of the language barrier, Professor Miho reached out to the contacts for possible interviews.

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In our field study we expected to have language barriers, so we were provided with translators in Permet and Tepelenë. In order to work effectively with our translators, our team voiced our expectations for the interview beforehand and how we would like to probe the interviewee. We decided it

was in our best interest to give our non-English speaking intervieweesFigure 22: Lavender the Albanian at Gjedra introduction and questions so we had no miscommunication of the translator's understanding of the questions. The interviewee would have the question set in the exact form we wanted and the translator would help us with the answers and probing. If we felt it was necessary to skip around on the interview questions, we would express that to our translator. During our field visit, our team spent two days in Permet conducting two interviews. For both of the interviews a translator was present, Eltoni.

The first interview was with Agathokli Proko, a collector with a facility located in Permet that trades with multiple production companies located all around Albania. These companies include: Gjedra Production Company, Filipi Company, Elba Shehu, ATC, Herba Fructus, and a couple others. This interview was led by Basak and Figure 23: Collector Facility in Permeti was probed and recorded by Sara.

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The notes were taken by Daniel. The team was given a tour of his facility (Figure 23). The second interview was with Fejzi Mullaraj, a collector located in Suke that trades with only the Gjedra Production Company. He does not have a facility, and goes from harvester to harvester based on supply and demand. Our translator, Eltoni, could not grasp information from the interviewee because he tended to repeat himself and did not answer the questions. From both of these interviews, our team gained knowledge on the structure of the MAPs trade in Vjosa watershed region, and the role that MAPs play in the lives of the harvesters and collectors. The last question asked and videotaped at both of these interviews was “Do you feel that the proposed dam construction in the Vjosa catchment could affect your business? If so, how?” The answers and footage were kept in order to be used in the short documentary. The final interview we conducted was with Kamber Aldu, located in Tepelene. Kamber Aldu is a collector only for AlbDucros, the largest production company in Albania. Our team needed a translator for this interview, Alex. There was a bigger language barrier between us and Alex than we had Figure 24: Field of Cultivated Sage initially expected and it was decided that the interview questions and introduction would be emailed to Kamber Aldu’s son, Armando Aldu, who is a part of the company and is fluent in English. Initially, our team had wanted to interview harvesters within the region to understand how much their livelihoods depends on the medicinal and aromatic plants trade, in addition to their thoughts about the impending dams construction. Since we could not interview this stakeholder, we decided to ask the collectors if there were fields of cultivated MAPs our team could visit in order to gain an understanding about the cultivated MAPs versus wild MAPs. These captured moments were crucial for our short documentary (Figure 24).

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Throughout the week, our team faced obstacles during the field study with language barriers and transportation. Many times our guides and translators would be working and could not take us to the interviews or sometimes there could even be a language barrier with the translator. But overall, the interviews our team concluded with are very insightful and useful.

3.3 Developing a Short Documentary

When beginning this product, it needed to be determined what the most effective promotional material would be. We decided, with help from our sponsors and advisers that a short documentary would be most effective and be able to reach the maximum amount of audiences. The documentary was created with the purpose of capturing a more qualitative look at the river, medicinal and aromatic plants and the lives affected by both, in order to evoke an emotional response. We hope that this documentary will allow viewers to understand the significance of the MAPs trade in the region and also encourage a desire to join EcoAlbania’s goal in preserving the natural state of the Vjosa River. Prior to Field Study Before we embarked on our field study into the Vjosa watershed to collect footage for the documentary, we outlined our ideas for the general flow of the video to allow us to have an idea of what we wanted to capture (Figure 25).

Figure 25: Documentary Flow of Topics

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Looking at Figure 25, there are several important features that needed to be captured on the field study. Most importantly, we needed footage of the river to allow us to have options when creating the film. In addition, we needed to collect footage of medicinal and aromatic plants, so we decided we would attempt to find fields of cultivated plant and potentially plants growing in the wild. If possible, we would visit a construction site of a dam to film the immediate effect of the dam on the river. Lastly, we wanted to film our interviews and pick several questions that we would include in our documentary. Collecting Footage

Throughout the field study, we spent a significant amount of time collecting footage of the different features we had previously decided upon. We used a GoPro throughout the week to film and each person took turns filming using the different attachments. Two strategies we used while filming were to do panoramic shots and filming while driving along the river. We chose to do these types of shots to allow for interesting scenery to be used in our documentary during periods with voice overs. As we filmed, we logged each clip by giving it a descriptive title with a three letter code to represent the location. The clips were downloaded onto team members’ laptop at the end of each day and renamed accordingly. A complete log of the clips shown in Table 7. We would then watch each clip and determine the times of each that were usable for the documentary. For a section of the clip to be usable, it needed to be steady footage and showing something that aligns with the themes of our documentary. 3.4 Data Management

In order to have an effective project, we developed a plan to manage the data we collected. In terms of online research, we used Google Documents to track sources and articles that we use. This method gave everyone in our team access to our work and allowed everyone to edit the documents simultaneously. A larger obstacle we faced in terms of organization was keeping track of recorded interviews. We accomplished this by uploading all recordings taken on our phones to the Google Drive folder we used and gave each recording and associated analyses a predetermined ID number. Access to the Google Drive folder is password protected and the data will be deleted upon completion of the project.

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Chapter 4: Project Results

4.1 Create an Inventory of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in the Vjosa Watershed

Endangered Plants

Out of the almost 400 species of MAPs found within the Vjosa watershed, we found forty-seven are of varying levels of endangered and threatened, shown in Appendix K. While many of these species are protected, they are still harvested and sold, and can be found almost anywhere. In our interview with Agathokli Proko, he discusses how caj mali is a protected and vulnerable species, but it is still commonly sold. He says that most of the time, people will pretend or allude to how they cultivate the plants themselves, but the laws are hardly enforced anyway (A. Proko, personal communication, Nov. 15, 2016). This lack of adherence to laws regarding protected species illustrates the severity of the situation regarding status of the endangered plants threatens the biodiversity of the region. Table 9 shows the endangerment level of some of the most commonly harvested and sold species.

Albanian Endangered Latin Name English Name District Grown Name Level

Gjirokaster (Kurvelesh, Pogon, VU A1b Salvia officinalis Sage Sherebela Sotirë, Sopot), (Vulnerable) Tepelene, Permet, Vlore

Gjirokaster, Permet, VU A1b Orchis spp. Orchid Salep Tepelene, Vlore (Vulnerable)

Gjirokaster Mountain tea/ (Kurvelesh, Çajup, EN Alc Sideritis raeseri starwort Caj Mali Murganë), Permet, (Endangered)

Tepelene, Vlore

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English Fier, Gjirokaster, walnut EN A1b Juglans regia Arra Permet, Tepelene, (Endangered) Vlore, cultivated

Table 9: Endangerment Level of Common Species

MAPs Inventory

We developed an inventory of medicinal and aromatic plants in the Vjosa watershed, as shown in Appendix J. The information in this table serves as an overview of the plants that grow in the specific regions along the Vjosa and was given to our sponsors to be used as a complete reference of all the species in the region. This information outlines how incredibly biodiverse the Vjosa watershed is specifically, with almost 400 species within the region.

4.2 Practices and Perspectives of Persons and Organizations Involved with the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Trade in the Vjosa Watershed

Local Harvesters

Throughout our time in our field study, our information about the local harvesters was obtained by interactions in the local markets and the quotes from the collectors. Even though we had hoped to have more interactions with this particular group of people, our team found a few key pieces of information. One thing we learned was that many harvesters actually need the organization of a collector. For example, in our interview with the collector in Permet he said, “They [the harvesters]

Figure 26: Cultivated Sage

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have no means of taking it to the next step. He [the collector] buys it from them and puts everything together. He extracts everything and sells it to the exporter. He goes to like 5 to 6 main companies” (A. Proko, personal communication, Nov. 15 2016). From this quote we can analyze that collectors do a lot to help harvesters without facilities, and that harvesters frequently depend on the organization of collectors and bigger organizations. This is also supported by Imami et al, when they state that, “Regional collectors are intermediary actors between farmers and processors. Though they do not have any real processing lines, they perform some simple operations that may be considered first processing, including drying, cleaning, storage etc. Farmers do not perform these operations, because they do not possess the needed facilities nor knowledge.” However, we also learned that harvesters can still sell MAPs on their own. During our field study, we visited a local market where there were harvesters selling their plants (Figure 27). Although the demand for MAPs and the profit margins are much lower, the harvesters still sell their plants at marketplaces like the one we visited. It is yet another way harvesters can boost their family incomes.

Figure 27: Products for sale at a local market in Permet

Regional Collectors

During our interviews with the collectors, they play a crucial part in the MAPs supply chain. A piece of information we found was that most collectors do not have contracts with production companies. Agathokli Proko gave us detailed description of the trade environment,

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as translated by Eltoni. “He says that he can’t get anybody in contracts. This is because he doesn't have a contract with the company. The big companies usually have contracts with the international markets. The big companies will come to him and ask if he has a certain plants and buy them. The big companies always want to be free. It can a very tricky business. You have to have a lot of experience. You have to know where you stand with people and the plants” (A. Proko, personal communication, Nov. 15 2016). From the statement above, we can analyze that he, and possibly many other collectors, have to make a reputation for themselves. Companies will not go to him when they need supplies if he does not have a good reputation. This can also be supported by Fejzi Mullaraj, who solely trades with Gjedra but only on the bases of phone calls and no contracts. The following quote was translated by Eltoni, “what he does is mainly he picks up the stuff. He's got a little depot, and goes straight to the buyer, doesn’t hold too much. Is like straightaway, not like the other one that keeps hold of stuff. He works with Gjedra Company in Berat” (F.Mullaraj, personal communications, Nov.15 2016). Additionally, collectors need to have good personal skills and develop working relationships with production companies. This finding can be supported with, “he (companies) just call him (Fejzi Mullaraj) up, I want this, and this is like the more straightforward guy, he doesn’t play games. You know, buys and sells, buys and sells, straightaway. He’s got his cut and that’s it. So he trusts him you know, because he buys the stuff and then brings it to him, instead of mixing it like other people do, like, good stuff and bad stuff and everything else. So he likes him, the man in there, because whatever he brings to him is no funny games, is all clean and the quality is the same” (F. Mullaraj, personal communication, Nov. 15 2016). The translated quote by collector, F. Mullaraj, is supported by Imami et al when the paper states, “Regional collectors have established regular relations of supply with processors. (...) However, trust is a key in the relations between collectors and processors.” From all of the combined information, we can support our finding that trust is a key establishment that collectors needs to have in order to have relationships with production companies. One piece of information that stood out during our interviews were the similar ways that the collectors got into their business. For example, Agathokli Proko become a collector after he “did his degree for finance for the agricultural school at Tirana. Okay, from the 1980’s

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to 1990’s he used to be owed by the government. He used to work for the government. So, he used to work an accountant in the communist times for this particular company. After the 1990’s when democracy started they went private” (A.Proko, personal communication, Nov. 15, 2016). This information is telling us that the MAPs trade was very prevalent during the communist era, and that the role of collectors has emerged as an important feature of the MAPs trade after the rise of capitalism. The Albanian government acted as both a collector and a production company during the Communist era, and upon the fall, many Albanians who had previously been involved with the MAPs trade took on the role of collectors (A.Proko, personal communications, Nov. 15 2016). The previous statement can also be supported by the quote from Fejzi Mullaraj, “he worked as a keeper, you know, of the medicinal plants in communism time, is his job, and when democracy started, he went private.”

Production Companies

From the interview we had with AlbKalustyan, we learned the clear roles of the production companies in the MAP supply chain. While they do serve as the exporter of the MAPs, as we had expected, we also discovered that many production companies will process the plants as well, even going as far to produce essential oils at their facilities. From AlbKalustyan, Xhevit Hysenaj discussed the different products his company produces and showed us the process of creating essential oils (personal communication, Nov. 4, 2016). We also found that production companies tend to focus on producing on a few products. For instance, AlbKalustyan produces mostly sage as a dried herb, and also produced essential oil, showing that they are much more focused that we had initially expected (X. Hysenaj, personal communication, Nov. 4, 2016). The lack of competition between production companies was another surprising finding we came across during both the interviews with Gjedra and AlbKalustyan. According to Mr. Hysenaj, there also seems to be very little competition among processors for international customers. All the companies seem to have a very specific niche in the market, therefore work together as partners and don’t compete with each other for sales (X. Hysenaj, personal communication, Nov. 4, 2016). Mr. Hysenaj stressed this in the interview, as he considers the

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companies whom we would refer to as his competitors, his partners (X. Hysenaj, personal communication, Nov. 4, 2016). We also noticed this trend in the Gjedra interview, as Ms. Strumi mentions that “Usually the customers contact us. We do not go to the customers, they write to us, they come to visit us” (personal communication, Nov. 6, 2016). Neither Gjedra nor AlbKalustyan compete for customers with other companies.

Figure 28: Plant drying racks in Permet (top); drying room in Tepelenë (middle); grinding machine (bottom)

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Harvesting Guidelines

It’s critical for harvesters to follow the collectors’ guidelines so that they get a saleable product which meets the processors quality requirements. Guidelines created by Gjedra, a processor in Berat, and distributed to their collectors in pamphlet form (Appendix A), help both the company and harvesters by making sure that the plants gathered are able to be sold, and reducing wasted work. Whenever Gjedra receives plants from harvesters, they will conduct tests to “see the quality and if it’s okay for us or not. Because if the product does not match with our request, we will not take it from the farmers. We go to train them again to show to cut the product, how to dry it and to have a good quality. Because we cannot sell it if it doesn’t match with our requirements (L. Strumi, personal communication, Nov. 6, 2016). As the organic certifications that Gjedra holds is one of their main attractions for new customers, Gjedra will also go out to villages and train those working for them to ensure that the organic status is kept and that they get the best quality product possible. The basic rules collected in the pamphlet serve multiple purposes, as can be seen above in Figure 28 where each rule is summarized and labeled under what goal it helps achieve. Some of the rules for organic products, are obvious, but others less so, such as prohibiting collection of herbs near where pesticides have been sprayed on other plants. Although most of these herbs likely have no pesticides on them, if some of them are contaminated it could spoil an entire batch of organic product, so the company errs on the side of caution. The rules for achieving a clean product focus on eliminating contamination, both obvious and subtle. For example, while storing plants in a bag that originally contained sugar is clearly okay and using a bag that had pesticides is clearly not, most people would not think about thoroughly cleaning their tools before harvesting. If not done, cross contamination between species or organic product level could easily occur. To get top quality plants, dew and other moisture should be avoided as this could lead to mold and mildew growing on the product. Collecting cultivated plants or those in residential areas is not allowed, even though many of these areas do not use pesticides and are therefore not a

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threat to an organic product. This is because a large number of cultivated plants come from inferior foreign stock that, while providing a higher yield, sacrifices quality and oil content. The sustainable harvesting guidelines are simply numbers determined through the experience of industry professionals, which, when followed ensure that some plants are left untouched and the ones harvested from retain enough biomass and important parts to survive and reproduce.

Significance of Dams on MAP Collection and Rural Livelihood

We found little correlation between the dams and the plants, other than isolated flooding. An important interview we had in Permet provided us with the finding of how dams might affect the rural livelihood. When we asked Mr. Proko about the impact of potential dams on his business, he told us “If these dams were built, the villages would be forced to move. In the past, they were higher in the mountains and in the few years they have come down to the river bed.” (A. Proko, personal communication, Nov. 15, 2016). If the villagers have to go out of their way to collect the plants, business could very well be affected. As said in this interview, the plants are a large part of these families’ incomes (A. Proko, personal communication, Nov. 15, 2016). But according to A. Proko, the MAPs income is seasonal because “many of them [harvesting families] have cows and sheep. They could be shepherds. It depends on the season. (...) This is a seasonal job” (personal communication, Nov. 15, 2016). If dam construction forces these rural families to move away from the plants they collect, it will force them to adapt their lifestyles.

4.3 Identify Themes for a Documentary about the Effects of the Dam on the MAPs trade and Rural Livelihood

One of the main objectives of this project was to produce promotional materials to persuade policymakers and other activists to align with the cause of the “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” movement. We identified the major themes by analyzing the interviews performed throughout this project end.

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Theme (Chronological) Description

Ecological Value & Aesthetic The Vjosa River is one of the last untouched rivers of the Power Balkan region and therefore has significant scientific and cultural purpose.

Significance of river and MAPs Both the river and the MAPs trade are crucial parts of the to rural livelihood everyday lives of many rural communities.

Effect of dam on MAPs trade The damming of the Vjosa River will have many indirect and and rural livelihood direct consequences on the region. Table 9: Identified themes in the Documentary

Ecological Value and Aesthetic Power

Due to the Vjosa River’s importance to the scientific and environmental communities, the first themes we included in the documentary are the ecological and aesthetic value of the Vjosa River. We plan to interview Olsi and Professor Miho for this part of the documentary ***this week***, but have not had the chance to perform this interview yet.

Figure 29 : Vjosa River from Tepelena Once we interview them, we will include quotes from their interview (which will likely become the voice over for some parts of the documentary) and analyze those quotes.

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Significance of the River and MAPs to Rural People

Throughout our interviews, we noticed two major recurring themes: the importance of the Vjosa River to its surrounding communities and the importance of the MAPs trade to the general rural livelihood. As discussed in our background, many rural community members rely heavily on medicinal and aromatic plants trade as a major source of revenue. The Vice President of Finance from Gjedra, discusses this when she says, “There are a lot of people that live only with this job, only with collecting herbs...This is the main job that they do and working with the stones, taking stones from the mountains...All these people that live in these mountains around, let’s say, 90% of revenues are from this job, from the herbs” (L. Strumi, personal communication, Nov. 6, 2016). This quote disputes the research set out by Furth, in Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sector in Albania (2015), that 35% of rural family income is based on the MAPs sector. From the two contracting percentages given to us, we can say that the Gjedra Production Company believes that the MAPs industry is more important to the lives of rural people than it might seem to an outside researcher.

Potential Effects of the Dam on MAPs and Rural Livelihoods

In order to incorporate our sponsors’ goal into our documentary, another theme we need to address on is the overall effect of potential dams on the MAPs trade and rural communities. As mentioned in section involving the significance of dams on MAP collection and rural livelihood, a potential dam would force families to move away from the plants they collect, greatly affecting their ability to collect the plants (A. Proko, personal communication, Nov. 15, 2016). While many of the larger stakeholders of the MAPs trade would not be directly affected by the construction of a dam on the river, many collectors would be indirectly affected, as the harvesters they collect from may have to relocate (F. Mullaraj, personal communication, Nov. 15, 2016). It is important to note that the MAPs trade in the region will not become extinct with the construction of a dam. But while the trade will adapt, villages may be moved and the lives of individual harvesters may be affected.

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Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations

The major impact our field study had on our project was the ability to witness the perspectives of stakeholders first hand. Our team interviewed the collectors and production companies to understand their roles within the MAPs supply chain and how they interacted with the harvesters. Throughout the project, our team faced limitations and difficulties that we had to overcome. One significant obstacle we faced during the field study was a language barrier. Many times in Tepelenë and Përmet, we found ourselves relying heavily on a translator. Another struggle our team faced was finding transportation for the interviews. Going into our field study, we had multiple contacts for production companies and collectors but were unable to attend a majority of them due to limitations of transportation. There were multiple limitations within our project that ranged from transportation to translators. From our first few interview, we realized that collectors and production companies are not willing to give us certain information such as the amount of MAPs they collect and sell, the economy of their work, and the specific locations they harvest from. From the preparation our team had done before arriving in Albania, many of our objectives and interview questions were within these topics. The interviewees, no matter how much probing was done, would typically not disclose the information. This lack of information caused our team to need to direct our attention to different areas of the MAPs trade. If the project is to continue in the upcoming years, our team recommends that the team focus on conducting in-depth interviews and analysis of the local harvesters, and be provided with a translator and transportation. Throughout our interviews, we gained information about the livelihoods and role of harvesters. However, it is crucial to fully understand the roots that harvesters have within the MAPs trade. To analyze the supply chain to the best of our abilities, we recommend to focus on the harvesters.

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Bibliography

1. Agroweb (2015): Bimët Mjekësore – Eliksiri i Ekonomisë Shqiptare. http://agroweb.org/?id=10&l=283&ln=sq#sthash.HH4OlLLK.dpuf 2. Albanian Medicinal Herbs lead US and EU exports. (2016, May 27). AgroWeb. 3. Anonymous (1988; 1992; 1991; 2000): Flora e Shqipërisë. Botim i Akademisë së Shkencave, Vol. 1, 1988, 456 f.; Vol. 2., 1992, 446 f.; Vol. 3., 1991, 332 f.; Vol. 4., 2000, 502 f.) 4. Anonymous (2008): Libri i Kuq i Florës Shqiptare. Ministria e Mjedisit, Pyjeve dhe Administrimit të Ujërave. Tiranë. Ministria e Mjedisit, Pyjeve dhe Administrimit të Ujërave (MMPAEU Ed.). Tiranë. 1-256 5. Anonimous (2013): Urdhër për miratimin e listës së kuqe të florës dhe faunës së egër. Ministria e Mjedisit. http://www.mjedisi.gov.al/files/userfiles/Biodiversiteti/urdhera_dhe_udhezime/2013- Urdher_nr_1280,_dt_20.11.2013_Miratimi_Listes_Kuqe_Flores&Faunes_Eger.pdf 6. Bardhi et al. (1988): Studim për inventarizimin e bimëve mjekësore, etero-vajore dhe tanifere në RPSSH (dorëshkrim). Stacioni i Pyjeve dhe Kulturave Etero-Vjaore, Tiranë. 317 pp. 7. Bovill, E. (1934). The Essential Oil Market. Journal of the Royal African Society, 33(132), 217-225. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.wpi.edu/stable/716466 8. Çela M. (2012): Bimët aromatike të Qarkut të Gjirokastrës. Master theses. Department of Plant Production. Faculty of Agriculture and the Environment, Agriculture University of Tirana. 54 pp. 9. Dankshi H. (2009): Bimët mjekësore për çdo sëmundje. Ilar. 1-219 10. Dankshi H. (2012): Si kurohen më bimë sëmundjet. Belina H. 1-224 11. Demiri M. (1983): Flora Eskursioniste e Shqipërisë. Ed. Shtëpia Botuese e Librit Shkollor, Tiranë. 1-986. 12. EuroNature & RiwerWatch (Ed.) (2013): Outstanding Balkan River landscapes – a basis for wise development decisions. FLUVIUS Floodplain Ecology and River Basin Management, Vienna, December 2013. pp.20 http://www.balkanrivers.net/sites/default/files/AL_CountrySpecial14[smallpdf.com].pdf 13. Europam. (2010, Nov.) Guidelines for Good Agricultural and Wild Collection 14. Practices for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (GACP‐MAP). Retrieved from http://www.europam.net/documents/gacp/EUROPAM_GACP_MAP_8.0.pdf 15. EcoAlbania (Producer & Director). (2015, March 17). Vjosa perla e egër e Evropës. [Video/DVD] 16. Export Impact For Good. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06, 2016, from http://www.intracen.org/itc/sectors/medicinal-plants/ 17. Furth, P. (2015, June). Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) Sector in Albania: Market Assessment. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00M2NP.pdf 18. Imami, D., Ibraliu, A., Fasllia, N., Gruda, N., & Skreli, E. (2015). Analysis of the medicinal and aromatic plants value chain in albania. Gesunde Pflanzen, 67(4), 155-164. doi:10.1007/s10343-015-0354-0

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19. (ITC), I. T. (2015). Trade statistics for international business development. Retrieved September, 2016, from http://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProductCountry.aspx?nvpm=1|008||||1211|||4|1|1|2|1|1|2|1|1 20. Kathe, W., Honnef, S., & Heym, A. (2003). Medicinal and aromatic plants in Albania, 21. Bonn: BfN, Federal Agency for Nature:Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania: A study of the collection of and trade inmedicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), relevant legislation and the potential of MAP use forfinancing nature conservation and protected areas. 22. Conservation. Section 7.1: Wild-Harvesting and Cultivation of MAPs in Albania. 23. Kokalari P., Sima Z. Xinxo P. 1980. Bimët mjekësore në familje (Botimi dytë i ripunuar). Instituti i mjekësisë Popullore, Tiranë. 448 pp. 24. Mahmutaj, E., Shuka, L., Xhulaj, M., Hoda, P., & Mersinllari, M. (2015). Rare and endemic plants in the southern mountain ecosystems of Albania, their threats and diversity. Albanian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 14(1), 25. Malo S. (2010): Studim i diversitetit bimor në rrethin e Gjirokastrës. PhD theses, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana. 179 pp. 26. Miho A., Kashta L., Beqiraj S. (2013): Between the Land and the Sea - Ecoguide to discover the transitional waters of Albania. Julvin 2, Tiranë. 1-462. ISBN 978-9928-137-27-2. http://www.fshn.edu.al/home/publikime-shkencore 27. Miles, J., & Gilbert, P. (2005). A handbook of research methods for clinical and health psychology. New York: Oxford University Press. 28. Neslen, A. (2015). Balkan dam boom threatens Europe's last wild waterways. Retrieved September 05, 2016, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/20/balkan-dam-boom-threatens- europes-last-wild-waterways 29. Paul, B. V. (2014, August). Assessing Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Albania. Assessing Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Albania, 1-25. Retrieved from http://albania.growthlab.cid.harvard.edu/files/albaniagrowthlab/files/medicinal_aromatic_plants.pdf 30. Pazari F. (2014): Vlerësimi ekonomik dhe ekologjik i bimëve mjekësore dhe aromatike të shqipërisë në funksion të zhvillimit të ekonomisë rurale. PhD theses. FHF, UT, Tirana, 236 p. http://www.doktoratura.unitir.edu.al/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Doktoratura-Florina-Pazari- Fakulteti-i-Historise-dhe-i-Filologjise-Departamenti-i-Gjeografise.pdf 31. Pieroni, A. (2010). People and Plants in Lëpushë: Traditional Medicine, Local Foods and Post- communism in a Northern Albanian Village. In Pieroni A., Pardo-de-Santayana M., Pieroni A., & Puri R. (Eds.), Ethnobotany in the New Europe: People, Health and Wild Plant Resources (pp. 16-50). Berghahn Books. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt9qcqq3.7 32. Pieroni, A., Nedelcheva, A., Hajdari, A., Mustafa, B., Scaltriti, B., Cianfaglione, K., & Quave, C. L. (2014). Local knowledge on plants and domestic remedies in the mountain villages of peshkopia (eastern albania). Journal of Mountain Science, 11(1), 180-193. doi:10.1007/s11629-013-2651-3

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33. Schippmann, U., Leaman, D., & Cunningham, A. (2006). A Comparison of Cultivation and Wild Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Under Sustainability Aspects. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Wageningen UR Frontis Series, 75-95. 34. Schwarz U. (2012): Balkan Rivers – The Blue Heart of Europe. Hydromorphological Status and Dam Projects For ECA Watch Austria/Euronature Germany/MAVA Switzerland, 150 pp and 101 pp. Separate Annex (River Catalogue). Vienna. http://www.balkanrivers.net/sites/default/files/BalkanRiverAssessment29032012web.pdf 35. Schwarz U. (2015): Hydropower Projects on the Balkan Rivers – Update. RiverWatch & EuroNatur, 33 pp. http://balkanrivers.net/sites/default/files/Hydropower%20dams%20in%20the%20Balkan230915_FIN AL_EdUS.pdf 36. Shera, U. (2016, February 10). First U.S. investment in Albania’s medicinal herbs industry promoted. Albanian Telegraphic Agency. 37. Shuka L., Draçi B. (2004): Zona e mbrojtur Kardhiq-Rrëzomë (Probleme dhe mundësi zgjidhjeje). Tiranë. 80 pp. 38. USAID. (2009, June). THE MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS VALUE CHAIN IN ALBANIA. United States Agency - International Development. 1-38. From http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00JN4F.pdf 39. Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (1994) Handbook for Interactive Qualifying Project Advisors and Students. Worcester, MA: Woods, Douglas W. 40. Wordpress (2011): Bimët Mjekësore, A-H & KZH. https://tranzicionshqiperi.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/bimet-mjekesore-k-p/ 41. World Health Organization. (2003). WHO Guidelines on Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) for Medicinal Plants. Retrieved from http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/pdf/s4928e/s4928e.pdf 42. Zeneli G., Dida M., Ducci F. , Habili (2004): Silver fir (Abies alba) resources in Albania and their conservation. FAO. Forest Genetic Resources No 31. Forest management Division. http://www.fao.org/3/a-y5901e/Y5901E11.htm

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Appendices

Appendix A: Gjedra Harvesting Guidelines

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Appendix B: Collector Questions (English)

We are a team from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in America. We are in Albania for two months doing research on the project “Investigating Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in the Vjosa Watershed Region of Albania”, with our sponsor, EcoAlbania. EcoAlbania is an environmental organization based in Tirana that was founded to protect natural ecosystems and stop environmental destruction in Albania. Our sponsor would like to learn more about the distribution of medicinal and aromatic plants in the Vjosa watershed, and how these plants could be harvested and cultivated to create more sustainable, economic opportunities for people living in this region. We have just arrived in Tirana and have a lot to learn about medicinal and aromatic plants in Albania. Our goal for this conversation is to learn more about how your company works with local harvesters and collectors, your views about how MAPs harvesting and collecting can become more sustainable, and what trends you see for the future of the MAPs trade. We have some questions prepared that we would like to ask you, and would like to record this conversation so we can refer to it later. We would also like to use quotes from this interview in our final report and other materials we will produce. Is that alright with you? Which country is your biggest buyer?

1. How did you get into this business? 2. What sort of products do you buy and sell? 3. How has your product line changed over the last five years? 4. Who are your biggest customers? 5. How do you expect demand to change in the future? 6. How would you meet increased demand? 7. What makes Albanian MAPs attractive in the international market place? 8. What countries are competing with Albania for the international market?

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9. What certifications about quality or tradition harvesting methods are required for exporting your products to EU countries and other countries such as the US? 10. How do you assess the quality of the MAPs before purchasing? 11. If so, what are key factors for evaluating quality? 12. How many harvesters do you currently work with? How would you describe the persons who harvest plants? Men, women, children, etc 13. Do you sign contracts with the harvesters to provide you a certain quantity of MAPs or do you pay them when they bring you MAPs on a more informal basis? 14. How are prices determined for MAPs? 15. Do you tend to buy from people who harvest plants from the wild or from people who cultivate plants more? 16. Probe: How do you think a change to primarily cultivation of MAPs will affect your industry? 17. What steps could be taken to make MAPs harvesting more sustainable in the future?

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Appendix C: Collector Questions (Shqip)

Ne jemi një ekip nga Instituti Worcester Politeknik në Amerikë. Ne do të jemi në Shqipëri për dy muaj për të bërë kërkime me mbështetësin tonë, EcoAlbania për projektin “Studimi i Bimëve Mjeksore dhe Aromatike në rajonin e luginës së Vjosës në Shqipëri”. EcoAlbania është një organizatë mjedisore me bazë në Tiranë, që është themeluar për të mbrojtur ekosistemet natyrore dhe ndaluar shkatërrimin e mjedisit në Shqipëri. Mbështetësit tanë do të donin të mësonin më shumë në lidhje me shpërndarjen e bimëve mjekësore dhe aromatike në A ka ndryshuar sistemi në pesë vitet e fundit? Nëse po, në çfarë mënyrash? Pellgun ujëmbledhës të Vjosës, dhe se si këto bimë mund të mblidhen dhe kultivohen për të krijuar mundësi ekonomike më të qëndrueshme, për njerëzit që jetojnë në këtë rajon. Ne sapo kemi ardhur në Tiranë dhe kemi shumë për të mësuar rreth bimëve mjekësore dhe aromatike në Shqipëri. Qëllimi ynë për këtë projekt është që të ofrojë një pasqyrë të të vendndodhjes së saktë të specieve të BAM në pellgun ujëmbledhës të Vjosës në mënyrë që të mund të identifikohen zonat kryesore. Qëllimi i kësaj bisede është për të mësuar më shumë mbi punën tuaj me mbledhësit dhe grumbulluesit, mbi vizionin tuaj se si mund të bëhet mbledhja dhe grumbullimi e bimëve aromatike në mënyrë të qëndrushme, dhe cili është vizioni juaj mbi të ardhmen e tregut të këtyre bimëve. Kemi përgatitur disa pyetje të cilat do të donim t’ju bënim. Gjithashtu do të donim ta regjistronim këtë bisedë në mënyrë që të mund t'i referohemi më vonë. Ne dëshirojmë të përdorim pjesë nga kjo intervistë në raportin tonë përfundimtar, si dhe materiale të tjera që do të ketë. A jeni dakord me këtë?

1. Si jeni përfshirë në këtë biznes? 2. Cilat lloje bimësh shisni dhe blini? 3. Si ka ndryshuar linja e produkteve në pesë vitet e fundit? 4. Cilët janë klientët tuaj më të rëndësishëm/mëdhenj? 5. Si e parashikoni ndryshimin e kërkesës në të ardhmen? 6. Si do e përqasnit rritjen e kërkesës?

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7. Çfarë i bën bimët mjekësore dhe aromatike shqiptare tërheqëse në tregun ndërkombëtar? 8. Cilat shtete e konkurojnë Shqipërinë në tregun ndërkombëtar? 9. Çfarë çertifikimesh mbi cilësinë apo metodat tradicionale të mbledhjes kërkohen për të eksportuar produktet tuaja në shtetet e BE dhe shtete e tjera si SHBA? 10. Si e vlerësoni cilësinë e bimëve mjekësore dhe aromatike para se t’i shisni? 11. Cilët janë faktorët kryesorë për vlerësimin e cilësisë? 12. Me sa mbledhës punoni aktualisht? Si do t’i përshkruanit personat që i mbledhin bimët? Burra, gra, fëmijë, etj. 13. A firmosni kontrata me mbedhësit për t’ju furnizuar me një sasi të caktuar bimësh apo i paguani ata kur ju sjellin bimët në mënyrë jo formale? 14. Si janë përcaktuar çmimet për bimët mjekësore dhe aromatike? 15. A jeni të prirur të blini bimë nga ata që i mbledhin në natyrë apo më shumë nga ata që i kultivojnë këto bimë? a. Probe: Si mendoni se ndryshimi në kultivimin e bimëve do të ndikojë në industrinë tuaj? 16. Çfarë hapash mund të ndërmerren për të bërë mbledhjen e bimëve mjekësore dhe aromatike më të qëndrueshme?

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Appendix D: Production Company Questions (English)

We are a team from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in America. We are in Albania for two months doing research on the project “Investigating Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in the Vjosa Watershed Region of Albania”, with our sponsor, EcoAlbania. EcoAlbania is an environmental organization based in Tirana that was founded to protect natural ecosystems and stop environmental destruction in Albania. Our sponsor would like to learn more about the distribution of medicinal and aromatic plants in the Vjosa watershed, and how these plants could be harvested and cultivated to create more sustainable, economic opportunities for people living in this region. We have just arrived in Tirana and have a lot to learn about medicinal and aromatic plants in Albania. Our goal for this conversation is to learn more about how your company works with local harvesters and collectors, your views about how MAPs harvesting and collecting can become more sustainable, and what trends you see for the future of the MAPs trade. We have some questions prepared that we would like to ask you, and would like to record this conversation so we can refer to it later. We would also like to use quotes from this interview in our final report and other materials we will produce. Is that alright with you? Which country is your biggest buyer?

1. Which country is your biggest buyer? 2. Can you give us an overview of how you work with local harvesters and collectors to purchase MAPs? 3. What kinds of MAPs do you purchase? 4. How many different collectors/harvester do you buy from? 5. How do you determine which regional collectors you buy from? 6. Can you help us understand how you make purchases during a calendar year? 7. Has the system changed in the past five years? If so, in what ways. 8. What guidelines does your company use to decide which collectors/harvesters you buy from (quality, guaranteed quantity, etc)?

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9. What MAPs based products do you produce? 10. How have your production levels varied for each of these products over the past 5 to 10 years? 11. Who are your primary markets? 12. What challenges have you faced with respect to marketing Albanian MAPs? 13. How much competition do you have with other countries in the MAPs trade? quantity, quality, competition with other countries, etc 14. Roughly, 80% of sage used in the USA is comes from Albania, but few if any Americans know this fact. How important would it be to create a stronger national brand for Albanian MAPs? 15. What changes would you like to see to MAPs harvesting and collecting to increase the quality of the products and the economic benefits to rural communities in the Vjosa region? 16. Do you feel that the proposed dam construction in the Vjosa catchment could affect your business? If so, how?

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Appendix E: Production Company Questions (Shqip)

Ne jemi një ekip nga Instituti Worcester Politeknik në Amerikë. Ne do te jemi në Shqipëri për dy muaj për të bërë kërkime me mbështetësin tonë, EcoAlbania për projektin “Studimi i Bimëve Mjeksore dhe Aromatike në rajonin e luginës së Vjosës në Shqipëri”. EcoAlbania është një organizatë mjedisore me bazë në Tiranë, që është themeluar për të mbrojtur ekosistemet natyrore dhe ndaluar shkatërrimin e mjedisit në Shqipëri. Mbështetësit tanë do të donin të mësonin më shumë në lidhje me shpërndarjen e bimëve mjekësore dhe aromatike në A ka ndryshuar sistemi në pesë vitet e fundit? Nëse po, në çfarë mënyrash? Pellgun ujëmbledhës të Vjosës, dhe se si këto bimë mund të mblidhen dhe kultivohen për të krijuar mundësi ekonomike më të qëndrueshme, për njerëzit që jetojnë në këtë rajon. Ne sapo kemi ardhur në Tiranë dhe kemi shumë për të mësuar rreth bimëve mjekësore dhe aromatike në Shqipëri. Qëllimi ynë për këtë projekt është që të ofrojë një pasqyrë të të vendndodhjes së saktë të specieve të BAM në pellgun ujëmbledhës të Vjosës në mënyrë që të mund të identifikohen zonat kryesore. Qëllimi i kësaj bisede është për të mësuar më shumë mbi punën tuaj me mbledhësit dhe grumbulluesit, mbi vizionin tuaj se si mund të bëhet mbledhja dhe grumbullimi e bimëve aromatike në mënyrë të qëndrushme, dhe cili është vizioni juaj mbi të ardhmen e tregut të këtyre bimëve. Kemi përgatitur disa pyetje të cilat do të donim t’ju bënim. Gjithashtu do të donim ta regjistronim këtë bisedë në mënyrë që të mund t'i referohemi më vonë. Ne dëshirojmë të përdorim pjesë nga kjo intervistë në raportin tonë përfundimtar, si dhe materiale të tjera që do të ketë. A jeni dakord me këtë?

17. Cili vend është blerësi juaj më i madh? 18. A mund të na jepni një pasqyrë të asaj se si ju punoni me grumbulluesit dhe mbledhësit lokalë, për të blerë bimët mjekësore dhe aromatike? 19. Çfarë lloj bimësh mjekësore dhe aromatike tregtoni? 20. Nga sa mbledhës / grumbullues blini? 21. Si e përcaktoni se nga cilët mbledhës rajonalë do të blini?

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22. A mund të na ndihmoni të kuptojmë se si i bëni blerjet gjatë një viti kalendarik? 23. A ka ndryshuar sistemi në pesë vitet e fundit? Nëse po, në çfarë mënyrash? 24. Çfarë udhëzimesh përdor kompania juaj për të vendosur se nga cilët mbledhës/grumbullues të blejë (cilësinë, sasinë e garantuar, etj)? 25. Çfarë bimësh mjekësore dhe aromatike bazë prodhoni/tregtoni? 26. Si kanë ndryshuar nivelet tuaja të prodhimit për secilin nga këto produkte gjatë 5-10 viteve të fundit? 27. Kush janë tregjet tuaja kryesore? 28. Me cfarë sfidash jeni përballur gjatë tregtimit të Bimëve Mjekësore dhe Aromtike shqiptare? 29. Sa konkurrencë keni me vende të tjera në tregtinë e bimëve mjekësore dhe aromatike? Sasia, cilësia, konkurrenca me vendet e tjera, etj. 30. Afërsisht, 80% e sherebelës që përdoret në SHBA vjen nga Shqipëria, por pak ose aspak nga amerikanët, e dinë këtë fakt. Sa e rëndësishme do të ishte krijimi i një marke kombëtare më të fortë për bimët mjekësore dhe aromatike shqiptare? 31. Çfarë ndryshimesh do të dëshironit të shihni në mbledhjen dhe grumbullimin e bimëve mjekësore dhe aromatike në mënyrë që të rritet cilësia e produkteve dhe të ardhurave ekonomike për komunitetin rural të rajonit të Vjosës? 32. A mendoni se propozimi për ndërtimin e digave në ujëmbledhësin e Vjosës mund të ndikojnë në biznesin tuaj? Nëse po, si?

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Appendix I: HPP Coordinates

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Appendix J: MAPs Inventory

Vendi ku Eger - Mblidhet Emri Lista e Emri shqip Emri anglisht permendet - cultivuar - sot dhe Burimi i informimit shkencor kuqe rrethi huaj tregtohet

wild - Scientific Districts Red Nr. Albanian name English name cultivated – Parts Sold Information source name Found List alien

Likene //

Lichens Lichen on LI 1 Liken ahu Beech lichens Permet Wild IKPK 1988 Fagus Gjirokaster, Lichen on LI 2 Liken dushku Oak lichens Vlore, Wild IKPK 1989 Quercus Tepelene Gjirokaster, Lichen on Hornbeams LI 3 Liken shkoze Permet, Wild IKPK 1990 Carpinus lichens Tepelene

Kerpudha // Fungi Claviceps purpurea on Rye ergot FU 1 Klogjeli i thekrit Permet Wild IKPK 1988 Secale fungus cereale

Fierna //

Ferns Adiantum Southern Shuka pers. comm.; FE 1 capillus- Fieri i krojeve VU A1b maidenhair fern Dankshi 2012 veneris Asplenium Fierguri // Gjirokaster Shuka & Draçi, 2004; Malo, ceterach FE 2 Gjarper Rustyback (Kardhiq, Wild Leaf 2010; Kokalari et al, 1980; (Ceterach mjekesor Drino, Sotirë) IKPK 1988 officinarum) 70

Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., Dryopteris Gjirokaster FE 3 Fier mashkull Male fern Wild LR cd 1980; Dankshi 2012; IKPK filix-mas (Sotirë) 1988

Fier, Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Shuka & Draçi, (Drino, Sotirë, 2004; PM-Vjosa-Narta Equisetum Këputja e arave, FE 4 Field horsetail Kardhiq), Wild Herb 2004; Kokalari et al. 1980; arvense Bishtkali Permet, Dankshi 2009; Çela, 2012; Tepelene, IKPK 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Vlore Polypodium Common Gjirokaster, Kokalari et al. 1980; FE 5 Polipoda Wild vulgare polypody Vlore Dankshi 2012; IKPK 1988 Malo, 2010; Common Gjirokastra Pteridium naturalmedicinalherbs.net/h FE 6 Fier shqipja bracken // eagle (Drino, Pogon, Wild aquilinum erbs/p/pteridium- fern Kurvelesh) aquilinum=bracken.php

Gymnosperms // Conifers Gjirokaster Abies borisii- Bredhi i (Kardhiq, Zeneli et al. 2004; IKPK GY 1 Bulgarian fir Wild VU A2b regis Maqedonise Sotire), Permet 1988 (Hotove), Vlore Fier, Malo, 2010; Miho et al. Gjirokaster wild, Cupressus Mediterranean 2013; Dankshi 2012; GY 2 Selvia (Drino, cultivated, VU A1b sempervirens cypress Kokalari et al. 1980; IKPK Kardhiq), Vlora alien 1988 (Narta) Drino, Kardhiq, Pogon, Mali i Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., Juniperus Pusit, 1980; Pazari, 2014; GY 3 Dëllënja e zezë Common juniper Wild Fruit VU A1b communis Kurvelesh, Dankshi, 2009; IKPK 1988; Fier, Permet, Gjedra L.t.d. Vlore.

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Çajup, Murganë, Kardhiq, Fier, Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014; Juniperus GY 4 Dëllënja e kuqe Prickly juniper Gjirokaster, Wild Fruit VU A1b Shuka & Draçi, 2004; IKPK oxycedrus Permet, 1988 Tepelene, Vlore Fier, Pinus Gjirokaster, Miho et al. 2013; IKPK GY 5 Pisha e eger Aleppo pine Wild halepensis Tepelene, 1988 Vlore Pinus GY 6 heldreichii (P. Rrobull, Hartine Bosnian pine Vlore Wild VU D2 IKPK 1989 leucodermis) Pisha e bute, Miho et al. 2013; IKPK GY 7 Pinus pinea stone pine Fier Wild VU A2c vgjea 1990

Angiosperms // Eudicots and

others (not Monocots) wild, Acacia cultivated, Shuka pers. comm.; EN 1 Mimoza mimosa dealbata alien Dankshi, 2009; (invasive) Malo, 2010; www.remedia- Acantholimon Gjirokaster EN 2 Akantolimoni Prickly thrift Wild homeopathy.com/!data/rem androsaceum (Çajup) edia_homeopathy.pdf Acer EN 3 pseudoplatan Panja e malit sycamore maple Gjirokaster Wild IKPK 1988 us Achillea Moonshine Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Pazari 2014; EN 4 Barpezmi Wild clypeolata Yarrow (Kurvelesh) Çela, 2012;

Shuka & Draçi, 2004; Achillea Gjirokaster EN 5 Barpezmi Yarrow Wild http://findmeacure.com/201 coarctata (Kardhiq) 6/08/19/achillea-coarctata/

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Gjirokaster (Kurvelesh, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Çajup, 1980; Pazari, 2014; Shuka Achillea Bishtamithi, EN 6 Yarrow Murganë, wild Flower & Draçi, 2004; Dankshi, millefolium Mijëfletëshi Kardhiq), 2009; Çela, 2012; IKPK Tepelene, 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Permet; Vlore Malo, 2010; Gjirokaster Achillea https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.go EN 7 Barpezmi noble yarrow (Mali i Picarit, wild nobilis v/pmc/articles/PMC323211 Maja e Pusit) 0/ Gjirokaster (Kurvelesh, Aesculus Geshtënja e Malo, 2010; Shuka & Draçi, European horse- Maja e Pusit, EN 8 hippocastanu kalit, geshtenja wild Leaf CR A1a 2004; Kokalari et al. 1980; chestnut Sotirë, m e eger IKPK 1988 Kardhiq), Permet Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Gjirokaster Narta 2004; Miho et al., Agrimonia Rrodhëza // common (Drino, Sotire), EN 9 wild EN 2013; Kokalari et al., 1980; eupatoria Podiqja agrimony Fier, Permet, Dankshi 2009; 2012; IKPK Tepelene 1988 Agrostemma common corn- Shuka, pers. comm; Pazari, EN 10 Kënkoll wild githago cockle 2014 Shuka, pers. comm; Ajuga http://www.botanical.com/b EN 11 Ajuga reptans Bugle wild zvarranike otanical/mgmh/b/buglec82. html Miho pers. comm.; wild, http://www.naturalmedicinal Ailanthus Ornamental cultivated, EN 12 Aliantus Tree of Heaven herbs.net/herbs/a/ailanthus- altissima tree alien altissima=tree-of- (invasive) heaven.php Alisma Common water- Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- EN 13 plantago- Këlkoja e ujit plantain (mad- (Drino, Lugina wild Narta 2004; aquatica dog weed) e Kardhiqit) Alkanna PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; EN 14 Alkanangjyruese dyer's alkanet Vlore, Fier wild tinctoria IKPK 1988

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Alliaria Gjirokaster EN 15 petiolata (A. Bar hudhre Garlic Mustard wild Malo, 2010; Pazari 2014 (Drino, Sotire) officinalis) Gjirokaster, PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; Miho Alnus EN 16 Verriu i zi Common alder Vjosa delta wild VU et al., 2013; Kokalari et al. glutinosa (Fier & Vlora) 1980; IKPK 1988 Fier, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Althaea Gjirokaster Narta 2004; Dankshi 2009; officinalis Mellaga e (Drino, EN 17 Marsh mallow wild Flower, Root 2012; Kokalari et al. 1980; (Malva bardhe Kardhiq), Çela, 2012, IKPK 1988; officinalis) Tepelene, Gjedra L.t.d. Permet Gjirokster Queen Anne & EN 18 Ammi majus Ami i madh (Drino, wild Malo, 2010 rsquos lace Kardhiq) Amygdalus http://botanical.com/botanic EN 19 Bajamja Sweet Almond Cultivated cultivated communis al/mgmh/a/almon026.html Gjirokaster Anchusa Gjuhë lopa Common (Pogon, EN 20 wild Malo, 2010 officinalis mjekësore bugloss Murganë, Odrie) Anethum Shuka pers. comm.; EN 21 Kopra Dill Cultivated wild graveolens Dankshi 2012 Angelica Angjelika e Norwegian Shuka pers. comm.; EN 22 Wild wild archangelica vertete angelica Dankshi 2012

Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Demiri, 1983; Angelica EN 23 Angjelika pyjore wild angelica (Pyllo, Mali i wild https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki sylvestris Gjere) /Angelica_sylvestris#Uses

Anthemis stinking Shuka & Draçi, 2004; EN 24 Maraqi Wild, cultivaed wild cotula chamomile Demiri, 1983 Anthemis Roman Shuka, pers. comm.; EN 25 Kamomili romak Wild wild nobilis chamomile Dankshi 2012 Apium wild, Shuka, pers. comm.; EN 26 Selino Celery Wild graveolens cultivated Dankshi 2009

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Arabidopisis Arabidrops Shuka, pers. comm.; Pazari EN 27 Rockcress wild wild thaliana thaliana 2014 Mëllagjer, Arbutus Upper valley of EN 28 shtopje, Strawberry tree wild VU A2b Shuka, pers. comm.; andrachne Vjosa kukumaçe Fier, Gjirokaster (Sotirë, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Arbutus Lunxheri, 1980; Dankshi, 2012; EN 29 Mareja Strawberry tree wild Leaf unedo Zhulat, Shuka & Draçi, 2004; Çela, Kardhiq), 2012; IKPK 1988 Tepelene, Permet, Vlore Gjirokaster Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, (Pogon, Arcitum lappa Rrodhe e 2014; Malo, 2010; Dankshi EN 30 Greater Burdock Kurvelesh), wild Root (A. major) madhe 2009; 2012; IKPK 1988; Tepelene, Çela, 2012; Permet Gjirokaster Malo 2010; Kokalari et al. Aristolochia Petrik, Fikujku, (Zhej), EN 31 Birthwort wild 1980; Pazari, 2014; IKPK elongata Kulper Permet?, 1988 Vlore?) Gjirokaster Malo 2010; Kokalari et al. Aristolochia Petrik, Fikujku, EN 32 Birthwort (Pogon), wild 1980; Pazari, 2014; IKPK lutea Kulper Permet?, Vlore 1989 Gjirokaster (Kurvelesh, Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014; Artemisia Maja e Pusit, Kokalari et al., 1980; Shuka EN 33 Pelini wormwood wild absinthium Kardhiq, & Draçi, 2004; IKPK 1988; Nemeçke, Gjedra L.t.d. Çajup) Vjosa delta Miho et al., 2013; Artemisia EN 34 Pelini i bruzte Sagebrush (Vlora and wild https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.go coerulescens Fieri) v/pubmed/17404981 Artemisia Permet, EN 35 herba-alba Pelini i bardhe white wormwood wild Herb Demiri, 1983 Kelcyre (A. alba)

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Fier, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., Pelini i Mugwort // Gjirokaster, Artemisia 1980; Pazari, 2014; EN 36 rendome, pelini i common Permet, wild Herb vulgaris Dankshi, 2012; IKPK 1988; zi wormwood Tepelene, Gjedra L.t.d. Kurvelesh. Asperula Sweetscented Shuka, pers. comm.; EN 37 Njegjira me ere wild odorata bedstraw Dankshi 2012; Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Atropa bella- Deadly (Pogon, EN 38 Helmarina wild CR B2c 1980; IKPK 1988; Gjedra donna nightshade Murganë, L.t.d. Odrie) Barbarea Barbarea winter cress or Gjirokaster IUCN, EN 39 wild Malo, 2010; Demiri 1983 longirostris sqepgjate yellow rocket (Mali i Gjere) DD Bassia prostrata EN 40 Fshes e eger forage kochia Fier wild IKPK 1988 (Kochia prostrata) Few species cultivated https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/ EN 41 Begonia spp. Begonia Begonia used as (ornamental) Lista_e_bim%C3%Abve ornamental Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Fier, wild, Narta 2004; Kokalari et al. Bellis Luledele, Gjirokastër, EN 42 Common daisy cultivated Flower, Leaf 1980; Dankshi, 2012; IKPK perennis luleshqerre Tepelene, (ornamental) 1988; Çela, 2012; Gjedra Permet, Vlore L.t.d. Bidens Dydhembeshi Three-lobe Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN 43 wild tripartita trepjesesh beggarticks (Pogon, Picar) 1980 Blackstonia perfoliata Blekstonia, EN 44 yellow-wort Gjirokaster wild IKPK 1988 (Chlora Klara perfoliata) Borago Shaja Kokalari et al. 1980; EN 45 Starflower wild officinalis mjekesore Dankshi, 2009; 2012 Brassica Fier, Kokalari et al. 1980; IKPK EN 46 nigra (Sinapis Sinapi i zi Black Mustard Gjiroakster, wild Seed 1989 nigra) Permet Brassica cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980; EN 47 Lakra, Brokoli Kale, Broccoli Cultivated oleracea (vegetable) Dankshi 2009

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English Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Bryonia Stërkungulli EN 48 mandrake // red (Sotirë, Çajup, wild 1980; IKPK 1988; Gjedra dioica dioik bryony Zhulat), Vlore L.t.d. Gjirokaster Sickle-leaved Bupleurum Brinjakuau (Mali i Gjerë, EN 49 hare’s wild Malo, 2010 falcatum trajtëkose Pyllo, ear Murganë) Buxus Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN 50 Bushi boxwood wild sempervirens (Skotini); Vlore 1980; IKPK 1988 Vjosa delta Cakile European Shuka, pers. comm.; Pazari EN 51 Brokër (Vlora and wild maritima searocket 2014 Fieri) Galegae Shuka, pers. comm.; EN 52 Galega Galega wild officinalis Gjedra L.t.d. wild & Calendula Kalendula // Wild & EN 53 English marigold cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980 officinalis Kumaku cultivated (ornamental) Calistegia Geshtalla e Shuka, pers. comm.; EN 54 bindweed In torrents wild sepium gjerdheve Dankshi 2012 Illegaly cultivated in the remote areas of the Cannabis illegally https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki EN 55 Kanabis // Kerpi Marijuana zone sativa cultivated /Cannabis_sativa (Gjirokastra, Permeti, Vlora, Tepelena, Ballshi, Fieri) Vjosa delta Capparis Shuka, pers. com.; Pazari, EN 56 Kaparinë caper bush (Vlora and wild VU A1b spinosa 2014 Fieri) Drino, Pogon, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Kurvelesh, Narta 2004; Kokalari et al., Capsella Shtrapëri; Shepherds Gjirokaster, 1980; Pazari, 2014; EN 57 bursa- Trasta e bariut; wild Herb purse Permet, Dankshi, 2009; 2012; Çela, pastoris Qesja e bariut Tepelene, 2012; IKPK 1988; Gjedra Vlore L.t.d.

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Capsicum Cultivated in cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980; EN 58 Speci djeges Pepper annuum all the zone (vegetable) Dankshi 2009 Capsicum Cultivated in cultivated Shuka pers. comm.; EN 59 Speci djeges chili pepper frutescens gardens (spice) Dankshi 2009 Gjirokaster Cardamine Kardamin ë EN 60 (Odrie, Pogon, wild Malo, 2014; Pazari, 2014 prantensis (Gozhël) Picar) Gjirokaster Carlina EN 61 Ushonjëz (Çajup, Pyllo, wild Malo, 2014; Pazari, 2014 acanthifolia Bureto) Gjirokaster, wild, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Castanea Permet, EN 62 Gështënja Sweet chestnut cultivated 1980; IKPK 1988; Gjedra sativa Tepelene, (fruits) L.t.d. Kardhiq Gjirokaster (Drino, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., Centaurea Kokoçeli ngjyrë Nemeçkë, wild, EN 63 cornflower Herb 1980; Çela, 2012; IKPK cyanus qielli Sotirë), cultivated 1988; Gjedra L.t.d.; Tepelene, Permet, Fier Fier, Centaurea yellow star- Gjirokaster, wild, EN 64 Kocirami IKPK 1988 solstitialis thistle Vlore, cultivated Cultivated Centaurium Bari i etheve // European Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., EN 65 wild Herb erythraea Kinefusha centaury (Drino, Virua) 1980; Gjedra L.t.d. Fier, Centaurium Gjirokaster, EN 66 Kina e fushës lesser centaury wild Flower, Herb IKPK 1988; Çela, 2012 pulchellum Tepelene, Permet, Vlore Fier, Centaurium Gjirokaster, PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; EN 67 Kina e fushës wild Flower, Herb umbellatum Tepelene, IKPK 1988 Permet, Vlore Gjirokaster, Cerasus Permet, Kokalari et al. 1981; IKPK EN 68 Qershia e eger wild cherry wild avium Tepelene, 1988 Vlore

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Cerasus Cultivated Shuka pers. comm.; EN 69 Vishnja Sour cherry cultivated vulgaris (fruits) Kokalari et al. 1980;

Chelidonium greater Shuka, pers. com.; Kokalari EN 70 Tembelgjaku wild majus celandine et al. 1980; Pazari, 2014

Chenopodiu Stinking Shuka, pers. com.; Pazari, EN 71 Minuer wild m vulvaria goosefoot 2014 PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; Fier, Kokalari et al., 1980; Pazari Cichorium Gjirokaster, EN 72 Cikore Common chicory wild Flower, Leaf 2014; Dankshi, 2012; IKPK intybus Tepelene, 1988; Çela, 2012; Gjedra Permet, Vlore L.t.d. Malo, 2010; Gjirokaster http://www.naturalmedicinal Cirsium EN 73 Gjembi i arave Creeping thistle (Pogon, Sotirë, wild herbs.net/herbs/c/cirsium- arvense Kardhiq, Picar) arvense=creeping- thistle.php

Cistus Shuka, pers. com.; Dankshi EN 74 Menishtja Rockrose wild incanus 2009; Gjedra L.t.d.

Dankshi 2009; 2012; Citrus × Vlore, cultivated EN 75 Nerenxa Bitter orange Kokalari et al. 1980; IKPK aurantium cultivated (fruits) 1988 Citrus × cultivated EN 76 Portokalli Orange Cultivated Cortex Dankshi 2009; sinensis (fruits) Citrus Vlore, cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980; IKPK EN 77 Limoni Lemon limonum cultivated (fruits) 1988 Clematis PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; EN 78 Kulpër Old man's beard wild vitalba Pazari, 2014 Clinopodium nepeta EN 79 (Calamintha Kalaminta lesser calamint Permet wild IKPK 1988 officinalis var. nepeta)

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Demiri, 1983; Conium EN 80 Kukuta Hemlock wild https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki maculatum /Conium_maculatum Gjirokaster Consolida (Drino, regalis Gjuhënusja e Kardhiq), Fier, Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014; EN 81 Forking Larkspur wild (Delphinium formuar Permet, IKPK 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. consolida) Tepelene, Vlore Gjirokaster Bershelliza, Hedge bindweed Convulvulus (Kurvelesh, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN 82 Gështalla e // heavenly wild sepium Pogon, Sotirë, 1980 gjerdheve trumpets Sopot) Gjirokaster Coriandrum coriander // Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., EN 83 Koriandri (Drino, Sotirë), cultivated sativum cilantro 1980; IKPK 1988 Permet Gjirokaster, PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; EN 84 Cornus mass Thana Cornelian cherry Tepelene, wild Fruit Çela, 2012, IKPK 1988 Permet, Vlore Fier, Gjirokaster ( wild (rare) Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., Corylus Drino, EN 85 Lajthia Common hazel and Leaf 1980; Dankshi, 2012; IKPK avellana Kardhiq), cultivated. 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Permet, Tepelene Fier, Cotinus European Gjirokaster, EN 86 Cemerdelli wild IKPK 1988 coggygria smoketree Permet, Tepelene Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Fier, Narta 2004; Kokalari et al., Crataegus Murrizi një Common Gjirokaster, Flower, EN 87 wild 1980; Dankshi 2009; 2012; monogyna bërthamëz hawthorn Tepelene, Fruit, Leaf IKPK 1988; Çela, 2012; Permet, Vlore Gjedra L.t.d.; Crataegus Murrizi dy Common Flower, PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; EN 88 Permet wild oxyacantha bërthamor hawthorn Fruit, Leaf IKPK 1988 Cucurbita cultivated Tepelene, EN 89 Kungulli cultivated IKPK 1988 maxima squash Vlore

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Gjirokaster, Cucurbita Kokalari et al. 1980; IKPK EN 90 Kungulli field pumpkin Tepelene, cultivated pepo 1988 Vlore Cyclamen hederifolium EN 91 (C. Bukë Derri sowbread Kurvelesh. cultivated Malo, 2010 neapolitanum ) Cydonia Tepelene, Kokalari et al. 1980; IKPK EN 92 Ftoi Quince cultivated oblonga cultivated 1988 Shuka pers. comm.; Cynara EN 93 Angjinarja Artichoke cultivated Dankshi 2012; Kokalari et scolymus al. 1980 Cynoglossum Gjuheqeni Shuka pers. comm.; EN 94 houndstongue wild officinale mjekesor Dankshi 2012 Gjirokaster Daphne (Kurvelesh, EN 95 Xërxele Daphne wild Malo, 2010 oleoides Murganë, Pyllo) Fier, Malo 2010; PM-Vjosa-Narta Datura Gjirokaster, EN 96 Tatulla Jimsonweed wild Leaf 2004; Kokalari et al. 1980; stramonium Tepelene, IKPK 1988; Çela, 2012; Permet, Vlore Gjirokaster, Wild, Daucus Queen annes Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN 97 Karota e eger wild & cultivated carota lace 1980; IKPK 1988 cultivated (vegetable) Gjirokaster Delphinium Malo, 2014; Pazari, 2014; EN 98 Gjuhënusja Larkspur (Kurvelesh, wild peregrinum Gjedra L.t.d. Pyllo) Digitalis Luletogzi EN 99 yellow foxglove Tepelene wild IKPK 1988 grandiflora lulemadh Gjirokaster EN Digitalis Luletogzi leshtor (Drino, Sotire), Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Foxglove wild LR cd 100 lanata // Lulefilxhani Fier, Permet, 1980; IKPK 1988 Vlore EN Diospyros cultivated https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki Hurma Persimmon 101 kaki (fruits), alien /Diospyros_kaki

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EN Diplotaxis perennial wall- Gjirokaster Diplotaks wild Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014 102 tenuifolia rocket (Virua) Gjirokaster EN Dipsacus Berunza wild teasel (Drino, Sotire, wild Malo, 2010; Dankshi 2012 103 sylvestris Pogon) Dittrichia EN Fier, Miho et al. 2013; IKPK viscosa (Inula Plenera Inula wild 104 Gjirokaster 1988 viscosa) Dysphania EN botrys Jerusalem oak Shuka, pers. com.; Pazari, Minuer wild 105 (Chenopodiu goosefoot 2014 m botrys) Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- EN Ecballium Squirting (Pogon, Pjepri i egër wild Narta 2004; Kokalari et al., 106 elaterium cucumber Murganë, 1980 Odrie) Gjirokaster EN Echium Ushqerza e Italian vipers (Drino, wild Malo, 2010 107 italicum Italisë bugloss Kardhiq) EN Echium Ushqereza e Shuka pers. comm.; Echium vulgare wild 108 vulgare rendome Dankshi 2012 Vjosa delta Miho et al. 2013; EN Ephedra Gjunjëz Ephedra (Vlora and wild https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki 109 distachya Fieri) /Ephedra_distachya Fier, Gjirokaster, EN Erica arborea Shqopa giant heather Permet, wild Root Çela, 2012; IKPK 1988 110 Tepelene, Vlore EN Erucastrum Erukastër dogmustard wild Pazari, 2014 111 nasturtiifolium Gjembardhi i Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN Eryngium Gjirokaster fushave // Field eryngo wild 1080; Dankshi 2012; IKPK 112 campestre (Drino, Sotirë) Gjembardha 1988 Gjirokaster cultivated Dankshi 2009; 2012; Çela, EN Eucalyptus (Gjirokaster, Eukalipti eucalyptus (ornamental) Leaf 2012; IKPK 1988; Gjedra 113 globulus Tepelene, , alien L.t.d. Permet)

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EN Eupatorium Eupator hemp-agrimony wild Pazari, 2014 114 cannabinum Gjirokaster EN Euphorbia Rrielli si bajame Wood spurge (Kurvelesh, wild Malo, 2010; Dankshi 2009; 115 amygdaloida Mali i Gjerë) Gjirokaster EN Euphorbia Rrielli selvi Cypress spurge (Kurvelesh, wild Malo, 2010; Dankshi 2009; 116 cyparissias Maja e Pusit) Gjirokaster EN Euphorbia Euforbia myrtle // blue (Kurvelesh), wild Malo, 2010; Dankshi 2009; 117 myrsinites mersinë spurge Fier, Permet, Vlore wild, EN Wild & Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, Ficus carica Fiku Common fig cultivated 118 cultivated 2014 (fruits) Filago EN common vulgaris (F. Filagë wild Pazari, 2014 119 cudweed germanica) Kopra e Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., EN Foeniculum rëndomtë fennel (Drino, wild 1890; Dankshi 2009; IKPK 120 vulgare (finoku) Kardhiq), Fier 1988 Gjirokaster wild, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN Fragaria (Drino, Sotirë), Luleshtrydhja Wild strawberry cultivated 1980; Dankshi 2009; 2012; 121 vesca Permet, (fruits) IKPK 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Tepelene EN Frangula Kokalari et al. 1980; IKPK Drunakuqi Alder buckthorn Gjirokster wild 122 alnus 1988 wild, EN Fraxinus Gjirokaster, Kokalari et al. 1980; Frasheri European ash cultivated Leaf CR A1b 123 excelsior Permet Dankshi, 2012; IKPK 1988 (ornamental) Gjirokaster (Drino, wild, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN Fraxinus Frasheri i Ash Kardhiq), cultivated Leaf 1980; IKPK 1988; Çela, 124 ornus bardhe Tepelene, (ornamental) 2012; Gjedra L.t.d. Permet, Vlore

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Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, EN Fumaria Common Fomi mjekesor wild Leaf 2014; Demiri, 1983; 125 officinalis fumitory Dankshi, 2012; Galanthusi qumështor, EN Galanthus Autumn Boçëbora e Picar wild CR B1 Malo, 2010 126 reginae-olgae snowdrop mbretëreshës Ollgë Gjirokaster Goats-rue, Malo, 2010; Çela, 2012 ; EN Galega Qerbashi (Drino, french lilac, wild Kokalari et al., 1980; IKPK 127 officinalis mjekësor Kardhiq), italian fitch 1988 Tepelene EN Galium Shuka pers. comm.; Bar urovi cleavers wild 128 aparine Dankshi, 2009 Gjirokaster EN Ngjitësja e Galium verum Yellow bedstraw (Kurvelesh, wild Malo, 2010 129 vërtetë Pyllo) Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., Sanëz, bar EN Gentiana Bitter root // (Mali i Gjerë, 1980; Pazari 2014; Dankshi zemre, ksanë, wild EN A1b 130 lutea Yellow gentian Pyllo, 2009; 2012; IKPK 1988; veshsutë Murganë) Gjedra L.t.d. Gjirokaster EN Geranium Kamarosha Dovesfoot (Lugina e wild Malo, 2010 131 molle butloshe geranium Drinos, Sotirë) Gjirokaster EN Geranium Kamarosha e Herb-Robert (Nemeçke, wild Malo, 2010; Dankshi 2012 132 robertianum robertit Drino) Ne vende te Shuka pers. comm.; EN Geum Melakja Herb bennett fresketa me wild Kokalari et al. 1980; 133 urbanum hije Dankshi 2012 EN Glechoma Glekoma ne Shuka pers. comm.; Ground-ivy wild 134 hederacea forme urthi Dankshi 2012 PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; EN Gratiola http://www.henriettes- Gratiola gratiole wild 135 officinalis herb.com/eclectic/kings/grat iola.html

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EN Gymnospermi Gjirokaster Lule helmi Gymnospermium wild CR B1 Malo, 2010 136 um maloi (Mali i Picarit) Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- wild, EN (Drino, Sotirë), Narta 2004; Kokalari et al., Hedera helix Urthi Ivy cultivated Leaf 137 Tepelene, 1980; Dankshi 2012; IKPK (ornamental) Vlore 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. wild, Helianthus Gjirokaster, Kokalari et al. 1980; IKPK EN Common cultivated annuus (H. Luledielli Tepelene, Flower 1988; Çela, 2012; Gjedra 138 sunflower (ornamental, ornamentalis) Permet, Vlore L.t.d. oil) Gjirokaster EN Helleborus (Pogon, Odrie, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Shpendra Hellebore wild Fruit 139 odorus Sotire, 1980 Kurvelesh) Gjirokaster (Çajup, EN Helychrisum Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Akce Everlasting Nemeçke, wild Flower EN A1b 140 plicatum 1980; IKPK 1988 Picar), Permet, Tepelene Gjirokaster EN Heracleum Heraklea Hogweed (Pyllo, Mali wild Malo, 2010; Dankshi 2012 141 sphondylium rrotulluese Gjere) EN Herniaria Smooth Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, Herniare wild 142 glabra rupturewort 2014 EN Herniaria Hairy Shuka pers. comm.; Herniare wild 143 hirsuta rupturewort Kokalari et al. 1980 Gjirokaster EN Hieracium Kemashen me Mouse-ear Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. (Nemeçke, wild 144 pilosella qime hawkweed 1980 Çajup) Gjirokaster, Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, EN Humulus Sumbullar wild, Common hop wild & 2014; Dankshi, 2009; 2012; 145 lupulus (dredhës) cultivated cultivated IKPK 1988 EN Hyoscyamus Shuka pers. comm.; Matergona Black henbane wild VU A1b 146 niger Kokalari et al. 1980 Gjirokaster EN Hypercum Lulebasani i (Mali i Pusit, St. johns wort wild Malo, 2010 147 rumeliacum Rumelisë Kurvelesh, Sotirë)

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Fire, Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- (Mali i Gjerë, Narta 2004; Miho et al., EN Hypericum Pyllo, 2013; Kokalari et al., 1980; Lulebasani St. johns wort wild Flower, Herb EN A1b 148 perforatum Murganë, Dankshi, 2009; 2012; IKPK Drino, Bureto), 1988; Çela, 2012; Gjedra Tepelene, L.t.d. Permet, Vlore Gjirokaster EN Hypericum Lulebasani i (Mali I Pusit, Hypericum wild Malo, 2010 149 spruneri Sprunerit Kurvelesh, Sotirë) EN Hyssopus Shuka pers. comm.; Hisop Hyssop wild 150 officinalis Dankshi 2009; 2012 Gjirokaster EN Inula Plenër German inula (Pyllo, Mali wild Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014 151 germanica Gjere) EN Inula Plenër Elecampane wild Pazari, 2014 152 helenium Gjirokaster EN Asp of Isatis tinctoria Istais ngjyruese (Sotire, Pogon, wild Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014 153 Jerusalem Picar) Fier, Gjirokaster, Miho et al., 2013; Dankshi EN Permet, cultivated 2012; Kokalari et al., 1980; Juglans regia Arra English walnut Leaf, Cortex EN A1b 154 Tepelene, (fruits) Dankshi, 2009; 2012; IKPK Vlore, 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. cultivated PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; EN Lamium Hisellbuta red dead-nettle wild https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki 155 purpureum /Lamium_purpureum Fier, Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- (Kurvelesh, wild, Narta 2004; Miho et al. EN Laurus nobilis Dafina Bay laurel Çajup, cultivated Leaf EN A1b 2013; Kokalari et al., 1980; 156 Murganë), (ornamental) Pazari, 2014; IKPK 1988; Tepelene, Çela, 2012; Gjedra L.t.d. Permet, Vlore

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Lavandula Fier, Kokalari et al. 1980; EN angustifolia Lavanda // English Gjirokaster, cultivated Dankshi, 2009; IKPK 1988; 157 (L. officinalis, Livandoja Lavender Vlore, Gjedra L.t.d. L. Vera) Cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980; EN Leonurus Leonuri i zemres Common Gjirokaster wild Dankshi, 2009; 2012; IKPK 158 cardiaca // Bishtluani motherwort 1988 Field pepperwort EN Lepidium Gjirokaster Djegës or field wild Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014 159 campestre (Nemeçke) pepperweed EN Lepidium grassleaf Djegës wild Pazari, 2014 160 graminifolium pepperweed EN Lepidium Djegës pepperweed wild Pazari, 2014 161 latifolium Demiri 1983; EN Limonium Fshes e Vjos delta http://www.naturalmedicinal Sea Lavender wild 162 vulgare rendomte (Vlora & Fieri) herbs.net/herbs/l/limonium- vulgare=sea-lavender.php Linum EN Kokalari et al. 1980; usutatussimu Liri Flax wild 163 Dankshi, 2009 m EN Lithospermu Kokerruja Common Shuka pers. comm.; wild 164 m officinale mjekesore gromwell Dankshi 2012 wild, EN Lonicera Shuka pers. comm.; Dorezonja Italian woodbine cultivated 165 caprifolium Dankshi 2009; 2012 (ornamental) EN Loranthus Permet Veshtulla mistletoes wild Shuka pers. comm.; 166 europaeus (Hotove) EN Lotus common bird's- Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Thuepula wild 167 corniculatus foot trefoil (Picar, Odrie) Narta 2004; Dankshi 2012 EN Lycopus Shuka pers. comm.; Likopesi Gypsywort wild 168 europaeus Kokalari et al. 1980 EN Lysimachia Gjirokaster Bargjergji Creeping jenny wild Malo, 2010 169 nummularia (Kardhiq)

EN Lythrum purple Kokalari et al., 1980; Bargjaku wild 170 salicaria loosestrife Dankshi 2012; Gjedra L.t.d.

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Malus pumila wild, Demiri 1983; EN (M. Molla e bute apple tree cultivated Fruit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki 171 domestica) (fruits) /Apple Gjirokaster, EN Malus European crab Molla e eger Tepelene, wild Fruit IKPK 1988 172 sylvestris apple Permet; Vlore Fier, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Gjirokaster Narta 2004; Kokalari et al., EN Malva (Drino, Mellaga e egër Common Mallow wild Flower, Leaf 1980; Pazari 2014; Dankshi 173 silvestris Kurvelesh), 2012; IKPK 1988; Çela, Tepelene, 2012; Gjedra L.t.d. Permet; Vlore Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN Marrubium White Kapinoku (Kurvelesh, wild Herb 1980; Dankshi 2012; IKPK 174 vulgare horehound Pogon), Vlore 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Fier, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Gjirokaster wild, EN Matricaria 1981; Dankshi, 2009; 2012; Kamomili chamomille (Drino, Sotirë) cultivated Flower 175 chamomilla IKPK 1988; Çela, 2012; Tepelene, (medicinal) Gjedra L.t.d.; Permet Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Grunamadhi, Yellow sweet (Kurvelesh, Narta 2004; Kokalari et al. EN Melilotus Makthi clover // common Çajup, Drino) wild Herb 1980; Dankshi, 2012; Çela, 176 officinalis mjekësor, melilot Tepelene, 2012; IKPK 1988; Gjedra Jonxha e egër Permet L.t.d. Kurvelesh, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Milica Pogon, Sotirë, EN Melissa Lemon balm Narta 2004; Pazari, 2014; mjekësore // Bar Sopot, Permet, wild Leaf 177 officinalis (balm mint) Dankshi, 2009; 2012; IKPK blete Tepelene, 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Vlore. PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; Mentha × Mendra e bute, EN cultivated Kokalari et al., 1980; Pazari piperita (M. Dhjozma, Peppermint cultivated 178 (spicy) 2014; Dankshi, 2009; balsamea) Nenexhiku Gjedra L.t.d. EN Mentha Mente e ujit water mint Gjirokaster wild IKPK 1988 179 aquatica

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Fier, Gjirokaster, EN Mentha Mendra Horse Mint Permet, wild IKPK 1988 180 longifolia gjethegjate Tepelene, Vlore Gjirokaster (Drino, Sotire, Malo, 2010; Dankshi 2009; EN Mentha Mendra pulegë Pennyroyal Pogon), wild Herb 2012; Çela, 2012; IKPK 181 pulegium Tepelene, 1988 Permet, Fier EN cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, Morus alba Mani i bardhe White mulberry cultivated 182 (fruits) 2015; Dankshi, 2009;

EN cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, Morus nigra Mani i Zi Black mulberry cultivated 183 (fruits) 2014; Dankshi, 2009; 2012

Fier, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Kurvelesh, Narta 2004; Miho et al. EN Myrtus Mërsina Common myrtle Gjirokaster, wild Leaf 2013; Kokalari et al. 1980; 184 communis Tepelene, Dankshi, 2012; IKPK 1988; Permet, Vlore Çela, 2012; Gjedra L.t.d. Gjirokaster EN Nasturtium Shelp // Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Watercress (Odrie, Sotire, wild 185 officinale Purqarku 1980; Pazarai, 2014 Picar) EN Nepeta Nepeta katare catnip wild Dankshi, 2012 186 cataria EN Nerium Vlore, cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980; IKPK Leandri Nerium VU D1 187 oleander cultivated (ornamental) 1988 cultivated EN Nicotiana (tobacco). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki Duhani Tobacco 188 tabacum Ethnomedici /Nicotiana_tabacum nal uses. Gjirokaster EN Nigella Nigelë Nigella (Drino, wild Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014 189 arvensis Kardhiq) Fier, Pazari 2014; Kokalari et al. EN Ocimum cultivated Borziloku Basil Gjirokaster, 1980; Dankshi, 2009; 2012; 190 basilicum (ornamental) Tepelene, IKPK 1988

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Vlore, cultivated

EN Ocimum Borziloku me cultivated clove basil Permet IKPK 1988 191 gratissimum emgenol (ornamental) Fier, Gjirokaster, Kokalari et al. 1980; EN Olea cultivated Ulliri Olive Permet, Dankshi 2012; IKPK 1988; 192 europaea (fruits, oil) Tepelene, Gjedra L.t.d. Vlore Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Kulmathi me (Pogon, Sotirë, Narta 2004; Kokalari et al., EN Ononis gjemba, Spiny restharrow Kardhiq), wild Root 1980; Dankshi, 2012; Çela, 193 spinosa Gjuhënusja Tepelene, 2012; IKPK 1988; Gjedra Permet, Vlore L.t.d. Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; EN Onosma Çikla e (Pogon, http://www.sciencedirect.co Onosma wild 194 arenaria ranishteve Murganë, m/science/article/pii/S0305 Odrie) 197802001771 Origanum EN majorana Cultivated as cultivated Miho pers. comm.; Kokalari Manxurana sweet marjoram 195 (Majorana ornamental (spice) et al. 1980; Dankshi 2012 hortensis) Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- wild, Gjirokaster, Narta 2004; Kokalari et al., EN Origanum cultivated Rigoni i kuq Red oregano Tepelene, Herb EN A1b 1980; Dankshi 2012; Çela, 196 vulgare (rare) Permet 2012; IKPK 1988; Gjedra (spice) L.t.d. Origanum vulgare Fier, wild, subsp. Gjirokaster, http://www.theplantlist.org/t EN cultivated viridulum Rigoni i bardhe White oregano Permet, Herb EN A1b pl1.1/record/kew-143964; 197 (rare) (Origanum Tepelene, IKPK 1988; Çelo, 2012 (spice) vulgare var. Vlore viride)

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Paliurus Fuer, EN spina-christi Gjirokaster, Dankshi 2012; Çela, 2012; Driza Jerusalem thorn wild Fruit 198 (Paliurus Tepelene, IKPK 1988 aculeatus) Permet, Vlore Fier, Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- (Drino, Sotire, EN Papaver Narta 2004; Pazari 2014; Lulkuqja Red poppy Murganë wild Flower 199 rhoeas Dankshi, 2012; IKPK 1988; ,Odrie), Çela, 2012; Gjedra L.t.d. Tepelene, Permet, Vlore cultivated Ocasionally (ornamental grown in or Miho pers. comm.; EN Papaver Paparuni // Opium poppy gardens as medicinal) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki 200 somniferum Opiumi ornamental or (alien). /Papaver_somniferum medicinal plant Ethnomedici nal uses. EN Parietaria Parjetaria Eastern pellitory- Pazari, 2014; Kokalari et al. wild 201 officinalis mjekesore of-the-wall 1980; Gjedra L.t.d. Miho pers. comm.; Deciduous http://www.naturalmedicinal tree, cultivated cultivated EN Paulownia herbs.net/herbs/p/paulowni Paulonia Foxglove Tree for its vigorous (wood) 202 tomentosa a-tomentosa=foxglove- new growth (alien) tree.php; every year http://PaulowniaHysa.com Persicaria Kokalari et al., 1980; EN bistorta Nejca e Bistort wild Dankshi 2012; Pazari, 203 (Polygonum perdredhur 2014; bistorta) Persicaria Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN hydropiper Nejca si piper uji Water pepper (Drino, wild 1980; Pazari, 2014; IKPK 204 (Polygonum (Thartickë ) Kardhiq), Fier 1988 hydropiper) Petasites EN hybridus Kokalari et al. 1980; IKPK Llopoi butterbur Gjirokaster wild 205 (Petasites 1988 officinalis )

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Fier, Gjirokaster, Petroselinum cultivated EN Permet, Miho pers. comm.; Kokalari crispum (P. Majdanozi Parsley (spice, 206 Tepelene, et al. 1980 hortense) vegetable) Vlore, cultivated Fier, Gjirokaster, Kokalari et al. 1980; EN Phaseolus Permet, cultivated Fasulia Common Bean Cortex Dankshi 2012; IKPK 1988; 207 vulgaris Tepelene, (fruits) Gjedra L.t.d. Vlore, cultivated cultivated EN Phytolacca Shpender e pokeweed (ornamental) Demiri 1983; Dankshi, 2009 208 americana bardhe , alien EN Pimpinella wild, Anasoni anise Kokalari et al. 1980 209 anisum cultivated PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; Miho EN Pistacia Fier, Tepelene, Xina mastic wild et al. 2013; Pazari 2014; 210 lentiscus Vlore IKPK 1988 Fier, Gjirokaster, EN Pistacia Qelbesi terebinth Permet, wild IKPK 1988 211 terebinthus Tepelene, Vlore Fier, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- EN Plantago Gjirokaster, Narta 2004; Dankshi 2009; Gjethedelli Ribwort plantain wild Leaf 212 lanceolata Tepelene, 2012; Kokalari et al. 1980; Permet IKPK 1988; Çela, 2012 Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Fier, Narta 2004; Kokalari et al. EN Plantago Gjethedelli iI Broadleaf Gjirokaster, wild Leaf 1980; Dankshi, 2009; IKPK 213 major madh plantain Tepelene, 1988; Çela, 2012; Gjedra Permet, Vlore L.t.d. Fier, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN Plantago Gjirokaster Gjethedelli hoary plantain wild Leaf 1980; Dankshi, 2009; IKPK 214 media (Nemeçke, 1988 Çajup),

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Tepelene

Gjirokaster EN Polygala Poligala e Common (Kurvelesh, wild Malo, 2010 215 vulgaris rëndomtë milkwort Maja e Pusit) Gjirokaster (Drino, EN Polygonum Common Malo, 2010; Dankshi 2012; Nejcë, Bar pate Kardhiq), Fier, wild Herb 216 aviculare knotgrass IKPK 1988; Pazari, 2014 Tepelene, Permet Malo, 2010; Miho et al. Gjirokastra 2013; EN (Drino), Fieri & wild, Populus alba Plepi i bardhe White Poplar VU A2b http://naturalmedicinalherbs 217 Vlora (Vjosa cultivated .net/herbs/p/populus- valley) alba=white-poplar.php wild, Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN cultivated Populus nigra Plepi i zi black poplar (Drino), 1980; Dankshi 2012; IKPK 218 (ornamental, Tepelene 1988 fences) EN Portulaca Common Gjirokaster Burdullak wild Malo, 2010; Pazari 2014 219 oleracea purslane (Drino) Gjirokaster Kokalari et al. 1980; Malo, EN Primula veris Cowslip (Drino, Pogon, 2010; Pazari 2014; Aguliçja wild Flower 220 (P. officinalis) primrose Kurvelesh), Dankshi, 2009; IKPK 1988; Vlore Gjedra L.t.d. Primula EN Agulice pa vulgaris (P. primrose Tepelene wild IKPK 1989 221 kercell grandiflora) Gjirokaster EN Prunella Prunela e Common self- (Mali i Gjerë, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- wild 222 vulgaris rëndomtë heal Pyllo, Narta 2004; Murganë) EN Prunus cultivated Shuka pers. comm.; Vishnja Sour cherry cultivated 223 cerasus (fruits) Dankshi 2009; 2012 EN Prunus cultivated cultivated Shuka pers. comm.; Pjeshka Peach 224 persica (fruits) (fruits) Dankshi 2009; 2012

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Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Gjirokaster Narta 2004; Kokalari et al. EN Prunus (Kurvelesh), Kulumbria Blackthorn wild Flower, Fruit 1980; Dankshi, 2009; 2012; 225 spinosa Fier, Permet, IKPK 1988; IKPK 1988; Vlore Gjedra L.t.d. Fier, Permet, EN Pulmonaria Lulelepuri lungwort Tepelene, wild IKPK 1988 226 officinalis Vlore Gjirokaster, cultivated PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; EN Punica Shega Pomegranate Vlore, (fruits, Kokalari et al. 1980; 227 granatum cultivated ornamental) Dankshi, 2012; IKPK 1988 EN Shuka pers. comm.; Gjedra Pyrus malus Molla e eger wild apple wild 228 L.t.d. Quercus EN Tepelene macrolepis Valanidhi Valonia oak wild IKPK 1988 229 (Kalivaç) (Q. aegilops) Gjirokaster EN Quercus Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Bunga Sessile Oak (Zagorie, wild 230 petrea 1980 Pogon) Vjosa delta EN Quercus Miho et al., 2013; Kokalari Rrenja English oak (Vlora and wild VU A1b 231 robur et al. 1980; Dankshi 2012 Fieri) Gjirokaster EN Ranunculus Zhabina e Catnip (Çajup, wild Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014 232 acris zakonshme Bureto) EN Ranunculus St. Anthony's Zhabina qepore wild Pazari, 2014 233 bulbosus turnip Gjirokaster EN Ranunculus Zhabina creeping (Drino, wild Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014 234 repens rreshqanore buttercup Kardhiq) EN Raphanus Wild radish // Gjirokaster Rrepa e egër wild Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014 235 raphanistrum jointed charlock (Kardhiq) EN Raphanus cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, Rrepa Radish cultivated 236 sativus (vegetable) 2014 EN Reseda Shuka pers. comm.; Pazari, Shukull (Gruzë) dyer's rocket wild 237 luteola 2014

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Shuka pers. comm.; EN Rhamnus Pjerreza alder buckthorn wild Kokalari et al. 1980; 238 frangula dliruese Dankshi, 2012 EN Permet, Shuka pers. comm.; IKPK Rhus coriaria Shqeme Sicilian sumac wild 239 Tepelene 1988 Fier, cultivated Robinia Gjirokaster, EN (ornamental, Çela, 2012; IKPK 1988, pseudo- Akacia acacia Permet, Flower 240 fences) Gjedra L.t.d. acacia Tepelene, (aliene) Vlore Gjirokaster (Drino, Kardhiq, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Çajup, EN Narta 2004; Kokalari et al. Rosa canina Trendafili i eger Rosehips Kurvelesh, wild Fruit 241 1980; Dankshi, 2012; IKPK Pogon), Fier, 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Permet, Tepelene, Vlore EN Trendafili i Shuka pers. comm.; Rosa gallica Rosa gallica wild 242 frances Dankshi 2012 Fier, Gjirokaster, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., EN Rosmarinus Permet, cultivated 1980; Dankshi, 2009; IKPK Rozmarina rosemary Leaf 243 officinalis Tepelene, (ornamental) 1988; Çela, 2012; Gjedra Vlore, L.t.d. cultivated Fier, Kokalari et al. 1980; IKPK EN Rubus Gjirokaster, Manaferra Blackberry wild Leaf 1988; Çela, 2012; IKPK 244 fruticosus Tepelene, 1988; Gjedra L.t.d.; Permet; Vlore EN Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Dankshi, 2009; Rubus idaeus Mjedra Red raspberry wild 245 (Çajup, Drino) 2012; Gjedra L.t.d. Gjirokaster EN Rubus Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Manaferra wild blackberry (Drino, wild Leaf 246 ulmifolius 1980 Kardhiq)

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Gjirokaster EN Rumex sheeps // red (Mali i Gjerë, Lëpjeta e thartë wild Malo, 2010; Dankshi, 2012 247 acetosella sorrel Pyllo, Murganë) Gjirokaster EN Rumex Lëpjetë curly dock (Drino, wild Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014 248 crispus Kardhiq) EN Rumex Lëpjetë fiddle dock Vojsa delta wild PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; 249 pulcher EN Ruscus Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Dankshi 2012; Rrhushkulli Butcher's-broom wild 250 aculeatus (Picar, Odrie) Gjedra L.t.d. Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- EN (Drino), Fier, Narta 2004; Kokalari et al. Salix alba Shelgu i bardhe willow wild 251 Tepelene, 1980; Dankshi, 2009; 2012; Vlore IKPK 1988 EN Salix

252 eleagnos Gjirokaster EN (Drino, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Salix fragilis Shelgu Crack willow wild VU A1b 253 Kurvelesh, 1980 Sotire) Salix EN myrsinifolia Shelgu industrial Balck willow Permet, Vlore wild IKPK 1988 254 (S. incana) Permet, EN Miho et al. 2013; IKPK Salix ssp Shelgje te tjera other willows Tepelene, wild Cortex 255 1990 Vlore, Fier Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., (Kurvelesh, wild, 1980; Pazari, 2014; EN Salvia Sherebela (e Pogon, Sotirë, sage cultivated Herb VU A1b Dankshi, 2009; 2012; IKPK 256 officinalis zakonshme) Sopot), (medicianl) 1988; Çela, 2012; Gjedra Tepelene, L.t.d. Permet, Vlore EN Salvia Gjirokaster, Dankshi, 2009; IKPK 1988; Shengjini scaleria sage wild Herb 257 scalera Permet, Vlore Gjedra L.t.d. Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- EN Sambucus Shpendra // (Drino, Sotire, Danewort wild Fruit Narta 2004; Kokalari et al. 258 ebulus Qingla Pogon), 1980; IKPK 1988 Tepelene,

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Vlore

Gjirokaster (Mali i Gjerë, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Pyllo, Narta 2004; Kokalari et al., EN Sambucus Qingla e zezë // Murganë, elderberry wild Flower, Fruit VU A1b 1980; Dankshi, 2009; 2012; 259 nigra shtogu Drino, IKPK 1988; Çela, 2012; Nemëçkë), Gjedra L.t.d.; Tepelene, Permet; Vlore EN Sanguisorba Lulebostani great burnet Gjirokaster wild IKPK 1988 260 officinalis Sapunqyqe // Kokalari et al., 1980; EN Saponaria wild, Shkumbakja // crow soap Gjirokaster Dankshi 2012; Pazari, 261 officinalis cultivated Barshkumesit 2014; IKPK 1988 EN Satureja Trumza // Shuka pers. comm.; Summer savory wild 262 hortensis Shtermeni Dankshi 2012 Gjirokaster (Çajup, Murgane, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., EN Satureja Trumza // Pyllo, Winter Savory wild VU A1c 1980; Pazari 2014; IKPK 263 montana Shtermeni Kurvelesh, 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Bureto), Fier, Tepelene, Vlore EN Scrophularia Breshkeza e Shuka pers. comm.; figworts wild 264 nodosa fikut Dankshi, 2009 Goldmoss EN Rryshqyqja e Gjirokaster Sedum acre stonecrop // wild Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014 265 athët (Maja e Pusit) wallpepper Sedum EN reflexed Shuka pers. comm.; Pazari, reflexum (S. Rrushqyqe wild 266 stonecrop 2014 rupestre) Sedum EN telephium Gjirokaster Shuka pers. comm.; Pazari, Rrushqyqe orpine wild 267 (Hylotelephiu (Kardhiq) 2014 m telephium)

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EN Sempervivum common Tepelene, Barveshi wild IKPK 1988 268 tectorum houseleek Vlore Groundsel // Old- Shuka pers. comm.; EN Senecio Pulithi // Bari man-in-the- wild Kokalari et al., 1980; 269 vulgaris gardalinave Spring Dankshi, 2012 Gjirokaster (Kurvelesh, Çajup, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., EN Sideritis Mountain tea // Çaji i malit Murganë), wild Herb EN A1c 1980; IKPK 1988; Gjedra 270 raeseri starwort Permet, L.t.d. Tepelene, Vlore EN Shuka pers. comm.; Pazari, Silene gallica Klokëz common catchfly wild 271 2014 Fier, Gjirokaster, EN Silybum Gjembgomari milk thistle Permet, wild Seed IKPK 1988 272 marianum Tepelene, Vlore EN Sinapis alba Sinapi i bardhe White mustard Gjirokaster wild IKPK 1988 273 Cucubinë EN Sisymbrium (rrëpirë, Hedge mustard wild Pazari 2014 274 officinale llapasanë) EN Solanum cultivated Shuka pers. comm.; Domatja Tomato 275 lycopersicum (food) Dankshi, 2009 EN Solanum Black Gjirokaster Idhnaqi izi wild Malo, 2010 276 nigrum nightshade (Kardhiq) EN Solidago Solidagia European Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, wild 277 virgaurea shuferarte goldenrod 2014 Gjirokaster EN Sonchus Rrëshyelli i Field sowthistle (Pogon, Sotirë, wild Malo, 2010 278 arvensis arave Kardhiq) EN Sonchus Rrëshyelli i Common Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- wild 279 oleraceus perimeve sowthistle (Drinos, Sotirë) Narta 2004; EN Sorbus Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., Vadhja e egër rowan wild 280 aucuparia (Pogon) 1980;

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Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- EN Spartium (Drinos), Fier, Gjineshtra Spanish broom wild Flower Narta 2004; IKPK 1988; 281 junceum Tepelene, Çela, 2012; Gjedra L.t.d. Permet, Vlore EN Spergularia Spergulare e Spergularia wild Pazari, 2014 282 rubra kuqe rubra Gjirokaster EN Stachys Sarusha common (Murgane, wild Malo, 2010; Dankshi 2012 283 officinalis mjekesore hedgenettle Bureto) EN Symphytum Kufilma Common Shuka pers. comm.; wild VU A1b 284 officinale mjekësore comfrey Kokalari et al. 1980 Tanacetum cinerariifolium EN (Piretrum Barpleshti Tepelene wild IKPK 1988 285 cinerarifolium ) EN Tanacetum Shuka pers. comm.; Lule vjeshte feverfew wild 286 parthenium Dankshi, 2009 Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN Tanacetum Karajpeli Tansy Gjirokaster wild 1980; Dankshi, 2012; IKPK 287 vulgare 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Narta 2004; Kokalari et al. EN Taraxacum Luleshurdha // Common wild 1980; Pazari, 2014; 288 officinale Radhiqe dandelion Dankshi, 2009; Gjedra L.t.d. Gjirokaster (Çajup, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- EN Teucrium Arrsi, Mountain Kurvelesh), Wall germander wild Herb Narta 2004; Kokalari et al. 289 chamaedrys Germander Fier, Permet, 1980; IKPK 1988 Tepelene, Vlore EN Teucrium Mountain Gjirokaster Bar majaselli wild Malo, 2010 290 montanum Germander (Çajup) Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- EN Teucrium (Çajup, Bar majaselli Felty germander wild Herb Narta 2004; Kokalari et al. 291 polium Kurvelesh), 1980; IKPK 1988 Fier, Permet,

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Tepelene, Vlore

Gjirokaster (Çajup, EN Thalictrum Kurvelesh), Shuka pers. comm.; Pazari, Pipanollë wild 292 flavum Fier, Permet, 2014 Tepelene, Vlore Shuka pers. comm.; EN Thymus Trumez thymes wild Dankshi, 2009; Gjedra 293 capitatus L.t.d. Lisra Gjirokaster EN Thymus qimeashpër // thymes (Kurvelesh, wild Herb Malo, 2010; Dankshi, 2009; 294 hirsutus Trumez Maja e Pusit) Lisra qime Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- EN Thymus ashpër // thymes (Kurvelesh, wild Herb Narta 2004; Kokalari et al., 295 longicauilis Trumez Murganë) 1980; Dankshi, 2009; Gjirokaster EN Thymus (Kurvelesh), Trumez thymes wild Herb Malo, 2010; Dankshi, 2009; 296 moesiacus Fier, Permet, Vlore Gjirokaster EN Thymus Trumez thymes (Nemeçke, wild Herb Malo, 2010; Dankshi, 2009; 297 precox Murgane) Gjirokaster, Kokalari et al. 1980; EN Thymus Zhumbrica Breckland thyme Tepelene, wild Herb Dankshi, 2009; Çela, 2012; 298 serpyllum Permet; Vlore IKPK 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Permet, EN Thymus Timusi common thyme Tepelene, wild Herb IKPK 1988 299 vulgaris Vlore

Shuka pers. comm.; Demiri EN Tilia parviflora Small-leaved Gjirokaster Bliri wild CR B2d 2013; Anonimous 1988- 300 (T. cordata) lime (Kardhiq) 2000; Kokalari et al. 1980

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Tilia Gjirokaster wild, Malo, 2010; Demiri 2013; EN platyphyllos Bliri gjethegjerë, (Murganë, Largeleaf linden cultivated Flower, leaf CR A1c Anonimous 1988-2000; 301 (T. bliri i bardhe Pyllo, (ornamental) Kokalari et al. 1980 officinarum) Kurvelesh) Fier, Demiri 2013; Anonimous Tilia Gjirokaster, wild, EN Bliri i kuq, bliri 1988-2000; Kokalari et al. tomentosa (T. linden Permet, cultivated Flower, leaf 302 pushlor 1980; IKPK 1988; Gjedra argentea) Tepelene, (ornamental) L.t.d. Vlore Gjirokaster EN Torilis Knotted Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Torilis (Murganë, wild 303 nodosa hedgeparsley 1980 Kurvelesh) Gjirokaster, EN Trifolium hare's-foot Permet, Terfili i bardhe wild Flower IKPK 1988 304 arvense clover Tepelene, Vlore Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Tërfili i (Drinos, Çajup, EN Trifolium Narta 2004; Çela, 2012; livadheve, Terfili Red clover Kurvelesh), wild Flower 305 pratense Dankshi, 2009; IKPK 1988; i kuq Tepelene, Gjedra L.t.d. Permet. Gjirokaster (Kurvelesh, EN Trifolium Cajup, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Tërfili zvarritës White clover wild Flower 306 repens Murganë), Narta 2004; Çela, 2012 Tepelene, Permet. Trigonella Trigonella e Gjirokaster EN foenum- mesme, Fenugreek (Sotire, Pogon, wild Malo, 2010; Dankshi, 2009; 307 graecum Trendelina Odrie) Fier, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Gjirokaster Narta 2004; Pazari, 2014; (Drinos, Sotirë, EN Tussilago Thundër Kokalari et al. 1980; coltsfoot Çajup, wild Flower, Leaf 308 farfara mushka Dankshi, 2009; 2012; IKPK Kurvelesh), 1988; Çela, 2012; Gjedra Tepelene, L.t.d.; Permet, Vlore

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Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Ulmus minor (Pogon, EN Narta 2004; Miho et al., (Ulmus Vidhi i vogel Field elm Kurvelesh, wild VU A2b 309 2013; Kokalari et al. 1980; campestris) Sotire); Vjosa Dankshi 2012 riverbanks EN Umbilicus Gjasëll Penny-pies wild Pazari, 2014 310 rupestris Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Fier, Narta 2004; Pazari, 2014; EN Gjirokaster, Leaf, Herb, Urtica dioica Hithra Common nettle wild Dankshi, 2009; 2012; IKPK 311 Tepelene, Root 1988; Çela, 2012; Gjedra Permet, Vlore L.t.d. Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., EN Valeriana Valerjana Kurvelesh, valerian wild VU A1c 1980; Dankshi, 2012; IKPK 312 officinalis mjekësore Gjirokaster 1988 Fier, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. EN Verbascum Netulla në formë Woody // orange Gjirokaster wild Flower, Leaf 1980; Dankshi, 2009; IKPK 313 phlomoides floisi mullein (Çajup, Sotirë, 1988 Kardhiq) Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. (Pogon, Odri, EN Verbascum 1980; Çela, 2012; Dankshi, Netulla great mullein Sotire), wild Flower, Leaf 314 thapsiforme 2009; IKPK 1988; Gjedra Tepelene, L.t.d. Permet, Vlore PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; Fier, EN Verbena Kokalari et al. 1980; Bari i shpretkes Common vervain Gjirokaster, wild Herb 315 officinalis Dankshi, 2009; 2012; IKPK Tepelene 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. EN Veronica Veronika Shuka pers. comm.; heath speedwell wild 316 officinalis mjekesore Dankshi 2012 Gjirokaster (Libohovë, EN Vicia sativa Koçkulla Common vetch Lunxhëri, wild Malo, 2010 317 Drino, Pogon, Kardhiq) EN Bigleaf Shuka pers. comm.; Vinca major Metriku wild 318 periwinkle Kokalari et al. 1980

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Vincetoxicum EN hirundinaria White swallow- Qenmbytesja Gjirokaster wild IKPK 1988 319 (Cynanchum wort vincetoxicum) Gjirokaster, Kokalari et al., 1980; Pazari EN Manushaqja ose Permet, Viola odorata Sweet violet wild 2014; Dankshi, 2009; IKPK 320 vjollca Tepelene, 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Vlore Gjirokaster (Kurvelesh, Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., EN Viola epirota Manushaqe Johnny Jump up Murgane, wild 1980; Dankshi, 2009; 2012; 321 Nemeçke), IKPK 1988 Vlore Gjirokaster, Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, EN Viscum European Permet, Veshtulla wild Herb VU A1c 2014; IKPK 1988; Gjedra 322 album mistletoe Tepelene, L.t.d. Vlore Fier, Permet, PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; Miho EN Vitex agnus- Tepelene, Konopica vitex wild Fruit et al., 2013; IKPK 1988; 323 castus Vlore (Vose, Gjedra L.t.d. Narte) EN Vitis Hardhia e eger Wild vine wild PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; 324 sylvestris Gjirokaster, Permet, EN Common grape cultivated Vitis vinifera Hardhia Tepelene, Dankshi 2012; IKPK 1988 325 vine (fruits) Vlore, cultivated Gjirokaster Spiny cockleburr (Drino, EN Xanthium Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Sybardha // prickly Kardhiq, wild 326 spinosum Narta 2004; burweed Pogon, Kurvelesh)

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PM-Vjosa-Narta 2004; Miho Vjosa delta et al. 2013; EN Xanthium Rrodhja Cocklebur (Vlora and wild http://www.naturalmedicinal 327 strumarium Fieri) herbs.net/herbs/x/xanthium- strumarium=cocklebur.php

Angiosperms // Monocots Cultivted as cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, MO 1 Allium cepa Qepë onion vegetable. (vegetable) 2014 Cultivted as cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, MO 2 Allium porrum Preshi, Prasi leeks vegetable. (vegetable) 2014

Allium Cultivted as cultivated Kokalari et al. 1980; Pazari, MO 3 Hudhra garlic sativum vegetable. (vegetable) 2014; Dankshi, 2009

Anacamptis Green-winged Kokalari et al. 1980; Miho et MO 4 Salepi Vjosa delta wild EN A1b morio orchid al. 2013 Gjirokaster Anacamptis (Kardhiq, Malo, 2010; Shuka & Draçi, MO 5 Salepi pyramidal orchid wild EN A1b pyramidalis Pogon), Vjosa 2004; Miho et al. 2013 delta Gjirokster MO 6 Arum italicum Këlkaza e Italisë Italian arum (Drino, Odrie, wild Malo, 2010 Kurvelesh) Arum Gjirokaster MO 7 Këlkaza snakeshead wild Shuka & Draçi, 2004 maculatuam (Kardhiq) Asparagus Cultivated Shuka pers. comm.; MO 8 Shpargu Asparagu officinalis (vegetable) Dankshi 2009; 2012 Gjirokster (Drino, Sotirë, Malo, 2010; Asphodelus Badhra e Çajup, http://www.naturalmedicinal MO 9 White asphodel wild albus bardhë Murganë, herbs.net/herbs/a/asphodel Picar, Bureto, us-albus=asphodel.php Zagorie)

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Miho et al., 2013; Asphodelus summer http://www.naturalmedicinal MO 10 Badhra verore Vlore, Fier wild aestivus asphodel herbs.net/herbs/a/asphodel us-aestivus.php Gjirokster cultivated Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. MO 11 Avena sativa Tershera Oat (Picar, Odrie) (forage) 1980; Dankshi 2009 Gjirokaster (Kurvelesh, Autumn crocus, Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014; Colchicum Xhërrokull Nemeçke), MO 12 Meadow saffron wild EN A1b Kokalari et al., 1980; IKPK autumnale vjeshtor Fier, Permet, or Naked lady 1988 Tepelene, Vlore Fieri, Malo, 2010; PM-Vjosa- Cynodon Gjirokastra, Narta 2004; Kokalari et al. MO 13 Krisja, Grami Scutch grass wild Ryzome dactylon Tepelena, 1980; Çela, 2012; IKPK Permeti, Vlore 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. (Gjirokaster Dactylorhiza MO 14 Salep gishtor wild ochrid (Kardhiq, Malo 2010 saccifera Skerfice) Elymus repens Shuka pers. comm.; MO 15 Grami zvarranik couch grass wild (Agropyrum Dankshi 2012 repens) Hordeum cultivated Shuka pers. comm.; MO 16 Elbi Barley cultivated vulgare (cereal) Kokalari et al. 1980 Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. Iris cultivated MO 17 Shpatoria Iris (Nemeçkë), Root 1980; Pazari, 2014; IKPK germanica (ornamental) Fier, Permet 1988; Gjedra L.t.d. Gjirokaster, cultivated Pazari, 2014; IKPK 1988; MO 18 Iris pallida Shpatoria Iris Tepelene (ornamental) Gjedra L.t.d. Lilium Shuka pers. comm.; MO 19 Zambaku Madonna lily wild candidum Dankshi 2012 Gjirokaster, Permet, Miho et al., 2013; IKPK MO 20 Orchis spp. Salepi Orchid wild Bulb VU A1b Tepelene, 1988 Vlore

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Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. MO 21 Orchis italica Salepi Orchid (Skerfice, wild 1980; Pazari, 2014 Odrie) Gjirokaster Orchis MO 22 Salepi Orchid (Sotire, Odrie, wild Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014 maculata Pogon) Gjirokaster Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al., MO 23 Orchis morio Salepi Orchid (Virua, Odrie, wild 1980; Pazari, 2014 Pogon) Orchis Gjirokaster MO 24 Salepi Orchid wild Malo, 2010 papilionacea (Andon Poçi) Gjirokaster Orchis MO 25 Salepi Orchid (Sotire, Çajup, wild Malo, 2010 pauciflora Pogon) Gjirokaster Orchis MO 26 Salepi Orchid (Sotire, Odrie, wild LR cd Malo, 2010 provincialis Pogon) Orchis Gjirokaster MO 27 Salepi Orchid wild Malo, 2010 purpurea (Çajup) Orchis Gjirokaster MO 28 quadripunctat Salepi Orchid (Skerfice, wild Malo, 2010 a Odrie) Gjirokaster Orchis MO 29 Salepi Orchid (Sotire, Odrie, wild Malo, 2010 tridentata Pogon) Gjirokaster Orchis MO 30 Salepi Orchid (Skerfice, wild Malo, 2010 ustulata Odrie) Gjirokaster Platanthera Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. MO 31 Salep Rein orchids (Virua, Odrie, wild bifolia 1980 Pogon Gjirokaster Platanthera greater butterfly- Malo, 2010; Kokalari et al. MO 32 Salep Sotire, Odrie, wild chlorantha orchid 1981 Pogon Drimia maritima Bockë (qepë Miho et al., 2013; Pazari MO 33 (Urginea Sea squill wild deti) 2014; Kokalari et al., 1980 maritima; Scilla

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maritima)

Gjirokaster Veratrum (Mali i Gjerë, Malo, 2010; Pazari, 2014; MO 34 Shtara e bardhë White hellebore wild album Pyllo, Kokalari et al., 1980 Murganë) Fier, Gjirokaster, Kokalari et al. 1980; Permet, cultivated MO 35 Zea mays Misri Corn silk Dankshi 2012; IKPK 1988; Tepelene, (ceral) Gjedra L.t.d. Vlore, cultivated

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Appendix K: Endangered Species in the Vjosa Watershed Region

F: Fierna/Ferns G/C: Gymnosperms/Conifers

Red List Type of Plant Species English Name Location Code

Adiantum capillus- Southern maidenhair Fierna/Ferns - VU A1b veneris fern

Fierna/Ferns Dryopteris filix-mas Male fern Sotirë; Gjirokaster LR cd

Gjirokaster (Kardhiq, Sotire), Gymnosperms/Conifers Abies borisii-regis Bulgarian fir VU A2b Permet (Hotove), Vlore

Fier, Gjirokaster Cupressus Gymnosperms/Conifers Mediterranean cypress (Drino, Kardhiq), VU Alb sempervirens Vlora (Narta)

Drino, Kardhiq, Pogon, Mali i Pusit, Gymnosperms/Conifers Juniperus communis Common juniper VU Alb Kurvelesh, Fier, Permet, Vlore.

Çajup, Murganë, Kardhiq, Fier, Gymnosperms/Conifers Juniperus oxycedrus Prickly juniper Gjirokaster, VU A1b Permet, Tepelene, Vlore

Pinus heldreichii Gymnosperms/Conifers Bosnian pine Vlore VU D2 (=P. leucodermis)

Gymnosperms/Conifers Pinus pinea stone pine Fier VU A2c

Gjirokaster Angiosperms/Eudicots Aesculus (Kurvelesh, Maja e European horse-chestnut CR A1a and others (not Monocots) hippocastanum Pusit, Sotirë, Kardhiq), Permet

Gjirokaster (Drino, Angiosperms/Eudicots Agrimonia eupatoria common agrimony Sotire), Fier, En and others (not Monocots) Permet, Tepelene

Angiosperms/Eudicots Alnus glutinosa Common alder Gjirokaster, Vjosa Vu

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Red List Type of Plant Species English Name Location Code and others (not Monocots) delta (Fier & Vlora)

Angiosperms/Eudicots Upper valley of Arbutus andrachne Strawberry tree VU A2b and others (not Monocots) Vjosa

Gjirokaster Angiosperms/Eudicots Atropa bella-donna Deadly nightshade (Pogon, Murganë, CR B2c and others (not Monocots) Odrie)

Angiosperms/Eudicots Barbarea winter cress or yellow Gjirokaster (Mali i IUCN, DD and others (not Monocots) longirostris rocket Gjere)

Angiosperms/Eudicots Vjosa delta (Vlora Capparis spinosa caper bush VU A1b and others (not Monocots) and Fieri)

Gjirokaster (Drino, Angiosperms/Eudicots Digitalis lanata Foxglove Sotire), Fier, LR cd and others (not Monocots) Permet, Vlore

Angiosperms/Eudicots Gjirokaster, Fraxinus excelsior European ash CR A1b and others (not Monocots) Permet

Angiosperms/Eudicots Galanthus reginae- Autumn snowdrop Picar CR B1 and others (not Monocots) olgae

Gjirokaster (Mali i Angiosperms/Eudicots Bitter root/Yellow Gentiana lutea Gjerë, Pyllo, EN A1b and others (not Monocots) gentian Murganë)

Angiosperms/Eudicots Glaucium flavum yellow hornpoppy - EN A1b and others (not Monocots)

Angiosperms/Eudicots Gymnospermium Gjirokaster (Mali i Gymnospermium CR B1 and others (not Monocots) maloi Picarit)

Gjirokaster (Çajup, Angiosperms/Eudicots Helychrisum Everlasting Nemeçke, Picar), EN A1b and others (not Monocots) plicatum Permet, Tepelene

Angiosperms/Eudicots Hyoscyamus niger Black henbane - VU Alb and others (not Monocots)

Fire, Gjirokaster (Mali i Gjerë, Pyllo, Angiosperms/Eudicots Hypericum St. johns wort Murganë, Drino, EN A1b and others (not Monocots) perforatum Bureto), Tepelene, Permet, Vlore

Angiosperms/Eudicots Fier, Gjirokaster, Juglans regia English walnut EN A1b and others (not Monocots) Permet, Tepelene,

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Red List Type of Plant Species English Name Location Code

Vlore, cultivated

Fier, Gjirokaster (Kurvelesh, Çajup, Angiosperms/Eudicots Laurus nobilis Bay laurel Murganë), EN A1b and others (not Monocots) Tepelene, Permet, Vlore

Angiosperms/Eudicots Nerium oleander Nerium Vlore, cultivated VU D1 and others (not Monocots)

Angiosperms/Eudicots Gjirokaster, Origanum vulgare Red oregano EN A1b and others (not Monocots) Tepelene, Permet

Origanum vulgare Fier, Gjirokaster, Angiosperms/Eudicots subsp. viridulum White origano Permet, Tepelene, EN A1b and others (not Monocots) (=Origanum vulgare Vlore var. viride)

Gjirokastra Angiosperms/Eudicots (Drino), Fieri & Populus alba White Poplar VU A2b and others (not Monocots) Vlora (Vjosa valley)

Angiosperms/Eudicots Vjosa delta (Vlora Quercus robur English oak VU A1b and others (not Monocots) and Fieri)

Angiosperms/Eudicots Gjirokaster (Drino, Salix fragilis Crack willow VU A1b and others (not Monocots) Kurvelesh, Sotire)

Gjirokaster (Kurvelesh, Pogon, Angiosperms/Eudicots Salvia officinalis sage Sotirë, Sopot), VU Alb and others (not Monocots) Tepelene, Permet, Vlore

Gjirokaster (Mali i Gjerë, Pyllo, Angiosperms/Eudicots Murganë, Drino, Sambucus nigra elderberry VU Alb and others (not Monocots) Nemëçkë), Tepelene, Permet; Vlore

Gjirokaster (Çajup, Murgane, Pyllo, Angiosperms/Eudicots Satureja montana Winter Savory Kurvelesh, VU A1c and others (not Monocots) Bureto), Fier, Tepelene, Vlore

Angiosperms/Eudicots Gjirokaster Sideritis raeseri Mountain tea/ starwort EN Alc and others (not Monocots) (Kurvelesh, Çajup,

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Red List Type of Plant Species English Name Location Code

Murganë), Permet, Tepelene, Vlore

Angiosperms/Eudicots Symphytum Common comfrey - VU A1b and others (not Monocots) officinale

Angiosperms/Eudicots Tilia parviflora (T. Gjirokaster Small-leaved lime CR 82d and others (not Monocots) cordata) (Kardhiq)

Gjirokaster Angiosperms/Eudicots Tilia platyphyllos Largeleaf linden (Murganë, Pyllo, CR Alc and others (not Monocots) (=T. officinarum) Kurvelesh)

Gjirokaster Ulmus minor Angiosperms/Eudicots (Pogon, Kurvelesh, (=Ulmus Field elm VU A2b and others (not Monocots) Sotire); Vjosa campestris) riverbanks

Angiosperms/Eudicots Kurvelesh, Valeriana officinalis valerian VU Alc and others (not Monocots) Gjirokaster

Gjirokaster, Angiosperms/Eudicots Viscum album European mistletoe Permet, Tepelene, VU A1c and others (not Monocots) Vlore

Angiosperms/Eudicots Anacamptis morio Green-winged orchid Vjosa delta EN A1b and others (not Monocots)

Gjirokaster Angiosperms/Eudicots Anacamptis pyramidal orchid (Kardhiq, Pogon), EN A1b and others (not Monocots) pyramidalis Vjosa delta

Gjirokaster (Kurvelesh, Angiosperms/Eudicots Colchicum Autumn crocus, Meadow Nemeçke), Fier, EN A1b and others (not Monocots) autumnale saffron or Naked lady Permet, Tepelene, Vlore

Gjirokaster, Angiosperms/Eudicots Orchis spp. Orchid Permet, Tepelene, VU A1b and others (not Monocots) Vlore

Angiosperms/Eudicots Gjirokaster (Sotire, Orchis provincialis Orchid LR cd and others (not Monocots) Odrie, Pogon)

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Authorship

Chapter 1: Introduction Everybody 2.1 The Vjosa River and its Catchment Larson 2.2 Biodiversity in the Vjosa Catchment Larson 2.3 Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Amirault, Soylu 2.4 Overview of the Economic Impact of MAPs in Albania Soylu 2.5 Structural Overview of MAPs Industry Soylu 2.6 MAPs Trade in the Vjosa Valley Larson 2.7 HPP Development in the Vjosa Catchment Larson 2.8 Role of EcoAlbania Collins, Amirault

Chapter 3: Methodology Amirault, Larson, Soylu 3.1Creating an Inventory of MAPs Collins Identifying the Most Commonly Harvested and Traded MAPs Amirault Mapping Hydropower Plants along the Vjosa Watershed Amirault 3.2 Field Study Soylu Visits to Supermarkets and Street Markets Larson Preparation for Interviewing Collectors and Production Companies Soylu Interviewing Collectors and Production Companies Soylu 3.3Developing a Short Documentary Larson Collecting Footage Larson The Editing Process Larson 3.4 Data Management Everybody

Chapter 4: Project Results 4.1 Endangered Plants Larson MAPS Inventory Larson 4.2Local Harvesters Amirault, Soylu Regional Collectors Amirault, Soylu Production Companies Amirault, Larson, Soylu Harvesting Guidelines Collins Significance of Dams on MAP Collection and Rural Livelihood Larson, Soylu 4.3 Identify Themes for a Documentary about the Effects of the Dam on the MAPs trade and Rural Livelihood Larson Ecological Value and Aesthetic Power Larson Significance of the River and MAPs to Rural People Amirault, Larson, Soylu Potential effects of the Dam on MAPs and Rural Livelihoods Amirault, Larson, Soylu

Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations Soylu

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