V. THE THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY IN ALBANIA
V.2 THE IMPACTS ON BIODIVERSITY
The major impacts and damages caused by past and recent practices are as follows:
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loss and fragmentation of habitats; |
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damage, impoverishment, and degradation of ecosystems and habitats; |
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disturbance and harassment of wildlife in nature; |
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species extinction or risk of extinction; and |
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genetic deterioration and erosion. |
In Albania, the main endangered types of ecosystems and habitats include marine ones (medium and infralittoral level), coastal ecosystems (sand dunes, delta rivers, alluvial and wet forests, lagoons and coastal lakes), and terrestrial ones such as alpine pastures and meadows, continental and glacial lakes, and oak and conifer forests.
GRAPH 7
The known number of species, which have become extinct during this century, is not high, however the rates of biodiversity loss during the past 50 years are among the highest in Europe. The insufficient level of knowledge and studies concerning a large number of flora and fauna does not allow for an accurate estimation of biodiversity status in Albania. However, at least two species of plants and four species of mammals are totally extinct, while 17 species of birds do not nest anymore in Albania.
During the last 25 years, approximately 122 species of vertebrates (27 mammals, 89 birds, and 6 fish) and four species of plants have lost more than 50% of their population. The number of rare and threatened species of plants and animals is high and expected to increase. Today, the number of vertebrates included in the Albanian Red Book is around 273 species, or 36% of the vertebrates of the country.
GRAPH 8
Several species with nutrient and economic values have become nearly extinct such as Penaeus kerathurus (marine shrimp), which had been in abundance during the 1960's and 1970's in the Drini and Mati deltas. Today this species is rare, and losing its previous economic value. The same is true for Crangon crangon (a crustacean species). The red coral (Coralum rubrum) and sponges of the genus Spongia are in high demand in western markets and are at risk of total extinction because of their extraction. Different species of fish crustaceans, molluscs, and other marine species are endangered because of the use of dynamite and poisonous materials for fishing, the consequences of which will be more evident in the future.
GRAPH 9
