Biodiversity of Kosovo

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Flowers of Pistacia terebinthus are characteristic to the forests of Kosovo.

The Biodiversity of Kosovo is quite rich due to the exposure to Mediterranean climate through the White Drin valley.[1] In that context, the Sharr Mountains and the Prokletije or Albanian Alpso, are the two most important areas of the biodiversity.[2]

The woodlands of Sharr are habitat to 86 vascular plants of international significance, while the Prokletije house 128 endemic species.[3] The flora is represented by 139 orders classified in 63 families, 35 genera and 20 species.[2] It has a significance for the entire region of Balkans, although Kosovo represents only 2.3% of the entire surface of Balkans, in terms of vegetation it represents 25% of the Balkans flora and about 18% of the European flora.[4]

Flora

The Kosovan forest flora is represented by 139 orders classified in 63 families, 35 genera and 20 species.[5] It has a significance for the entire region of Balkans – although Kosovo represents only 2.3% of the entire surface of Balkans, in terms of vegetation it represents 25% of the Balkans flora and about 18% of the European flora.[6] Due to the Mediterranean climate, several plants characteristic to submediterranean regions are found on the forests of Kosovo, including terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus), wild asparagus (Asparagus acutifolius), fragrant virgin's bower (Clematis flammula) and the mallow bindweed (Convolvulus althaeoides).[7]

Other common flowers for the forests of Kosovo that are not exclusive to the Mediterranean climate include:[8]

Endangered species

There are several flora species in the Kosovan forests that are considered to be endangered, as classified by the Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency:[9]

Fauna

The Balkan lynx subspecies is found in Kosovo.

The fauna is influenced by the geographical position and conditions of the country, which suit several rare animals.[10] The fields and hilly areas are home to boars, deers, rabbits, ravens, magpies, starlings, field sparrows, woodpeckers and turtle doves. In the mountainous regions there are field partridges, quails, pheasants, squirrels, storks, and many numerous species of eagles, vultures, hawks and others. The rare animals include the brown bear, wolves, roe deer, lynx, wild and forest hen grouse. Bears are mainly found in the Shar Mountains as well as in the Albanian Alps.

The high mountains in Kosovo make it ideal for many animals to live in. In the rivers and lakes there are salmon, trout, scuba, eel, gudgeon, catfish, carp, torpedo and small herring. The southern part, especially the Dragashi municipality has its own dog breed called the Qeni i Sharrit which is kept by the majority of people living in the country, Western part of the Republic of Macedonia and Albania.

The fauna of Kosovo is composed of a wide range of species due to its relief, ecological factors and geographic location. The forests with the greatest varieties are the ones located in the Šar Mountains, Albanian Alps, Kopaonik and Mokna.[11] There are a total of eleven natural reserves throughout Kosovo[12] and they are home to species such as:[13][14][15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kraja, Rexhep Ismajli, Mehmet. Kosova : vështrim monografik. Prishtinë: Akademia e Shkencave dhe e Arteve e Kosovës. ISBN 9789951413961.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b "Qenan Maxhuni: Biodiversiteti i Kosoves" (PDF) (in Albanian). AKMM/IKMN. p. 2. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Qenan Maxhuni: Biodiversiteti i Kosoves" (PDF) (in Albanian). AKMM/IKMN. p. 9. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Qenan Maxhuni: Biodiversiteti i Kosoves" (PDF) (in Albanian). AKMM/IKMN. p. 8. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  5. ^ "Qenan Maxhuni: Biodiversiteti i Kosoves" (PDF) (in Albanian). AKMM/IKMN. p. 2. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Qenan Maxhuni: Biodiversiteti i Kosoves" (PDF) (in Albanian). AKMM/IKMN. p. 8. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  7. ^ Kraja, Rexhep Ismajli, Mehmet. Kosova : vështrim monografik. Pristina: Akademia e Shkencave dhe e Arteve e Kosovës. ISBN 9789951413961.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Kraja, Rexhep Ismajli, Mehmet. Kosova : vështrim monografik. Pristina: Akademia e Shkencave dhe e Arteve e Kosovës. ISBN 9789951413961.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Qenan Maxhuni: Biodiversiteti i Kosoves" (PDF) (in Albanian). AKMM/IKMN. p. 8. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  10. ^ "BIODIVERSITETI I KOSOVËS" (PDF) (in Albanian).
  11. ^ "Qenan Maxhuni: Biodiversiteti i Kosoves" (PDF) (in Albanian). AKMM/IKMN. p. 14. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  12. ^ "Qenan Maxhuni et al. Gjendja e natyres, Raport 2008-2009". 2010: 5. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ^ "Qenan Maxhuni et al. Gjendja e natyres, Raport 2008-2009". 2010: 70. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. ^ "Qenan Maxhuni: Biodiversiteti i Kosoves" (PDF) (in Albanian). AKMM/IKMN. p. 14. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  15. ^ "Plani hapesinor, Parku nacional "Mali Sharr"" (PDF) (in Albanian). Retrieved 23 February 2013.
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