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Coordinates: 40°45′0″N 20°55′0″E / 40.75000°N 20.91667°E / 40.75000; 20.91667
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This page is about the park in Albania. For other parks, see Prespa National Park.
Prespa National Park
Logo of Prespa National Park
Logo of Prespa National Park
Location of Prespa National Park in Albania
Location of Prespa National Park in Albania
Location in Albania
LocationDevoll and Pustec, Korçë County, Albania
Coordinates40°45′0″N 20°55′0″E / 40.75000°N 20.91667°E / 40.75000; 20.91667
Area276.1 km2 (27,610 ha)
Established18 February 1999 (1999-02-18)
Governing bodyAgjencia Kombëtare e Zonave të Mbrojtura
Websiteprespanationalpark.gov.al
Official nameAlbanian Prespa Lakes
Designated13 June 2013
Reference no.2151[1]

Prespa National Park (Albanian: Parku Kombëtar i Prespës) is a national park in the municipalities of Devoll and Pustec of Korçë County in southeastern Albania.

Designations[edit]

Established as a national park on 18 February 1999, Prespa initially spanned 277.5 km2 (27,750 ha) but underwent a revision to 276.1 km2 (27,610 ha) following a government legislation on 26 January 2022.[2][3][4] The park is under the administration of the Agjencia Kombëtare e Zonave të Mbrojtura (AKZM) in conjunction with the Albanian Ministry of Environment.[5][2] It is recognised within the category II framework of protected area management by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[6][7] The Ramsar Convention designated the Prespa Lakes as a unified Ramsar Site on 13 June 2013.[1] Subsequently, in 2014, the park was incorporated into the Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme.[8] Both lakes along with Mali i Thatë are listed as Important Plant and Bird Areas.[9][10] Apart from this, the park is part of the European Green Belt and the Transboundary Prespa Park shared among the adjacent countries..[11][12][13] Furthermore, it has gained the confirmation in the register by the European Wilderness Society as a potential member of the European Wilderness Network.[14]

Geography[edit]

Prespa is situated in Korçë County of southeastern Albania bordering North Macedonia to the northeast and Greece to the southeast.[15] The park encompasses the municipalities of Devoll and Pustec and the villages of Buzëliqen, Cerjë, Diellas, Gollomboç, Goricë e Madhe, Goricë e Vogël, Kallamas, Lajthizë, Pustec, Rakickë, Shuec, Tren and Zaroshkë.[16] Its commitment to conservation includes the protection of the mountain range of Mali i Thatë, the islet of Maligrad, the valley of Devoll as well as the basins and Albanian portions of the Great and Small Prespa Lakes, recognised as one of the most ancient existing lakes in Europe.[17][18][19] The Great Prespa Lake extends on the tripoint region of Albania, Greece and North Macedonia, while the Small Prespa Lake stretches further southward along the border between Albania and Greece.[15][20] Mali i Thatë, in connection with the mountain range of Galičica in North Macedonia, forms a disconnection between the Great Prespa Lake and its sister lake Ohrid Lake.[21][22][23]

Climate[edit]

The climate of Prespa and its surrounding region is characterised as Continental European with Mediterranean influences.[24][25][26] Despite its contiguity to the Mediterranean Sea, the sea has a limited influence on the climate of the Ohrid-Prespa region in consequence of its isolated location within high mountains.[27] The warmest month in the region is July with an average temperature rising to 19.2 °C (66.6 °F), while by contrast, the coldest month is January with an average temperature falling to 0.2 °C (32.4 °F).[28] Precipitation ranges between 600 mm (24 in) and 700 mm (28 in) within the lower parts of the region.[28] In the mountain belt, it increases up to 800 mm (31 in) or 900 mm (35 in), while in the high-mountain belt it can reach up to 1,400 mm (55 in).[28]

Affected by climate change and human impact, the Prespa Lakes underwent a critical decline in water levels that posed a threat to water quality.[29] Sediment studies on the lakes highlighted climatic fluctuations over the past two millennia, marked by warmer, drier conditions and diminished snowfall.[30][31] Scientific research established correlations between annual lake variability, wet season precipitation and North Atlantic oscillation.[29] Notable human activities, particularly water extraction during a regional drought from 1987 to 1995, significantly contributed to the reduction in lake levels.[29] Researchers also observed a regional climate shift, characterised by declining annual rainfall and snowfall, coupled with an increase in drought occurrences.[29]

Panorama of Prespa National Park
Prespa National Park and its surrounding region experiences a Continental European climate with Mediterranean influences.

Ecology[edit]

Mali i Thatë
View from Mali i Thatë to the south towards Mali i Gramozit.

Prespa is home to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems with each of them housing its own flora and fauna.[17][32] The lakes, rivers and wetlands of Prespa are the foremost components of the park's aquatic ecosystem.[33] The Prespa Lakes can be divided into multiple ecological zones despite the variable surface area and depth. The littoral zone of the lakes forms the transitional area between the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, which allows emergent, shrub or tree vegetation to flourish.[34] By contrast, the pelagic zone occupies the deep mainly naturally non-vegetated parts of Prespa.[35] The riverine zone encompasses the stream and channel systems as well as their associated vegetation.[36] Reedbeds are the other principal components of the park's aquatic ecosystem, occurring at the edges of both lakes.[37]

The terrestrial ecosystem of Prespa comprises forests, shrubs, meadows and pastures. Its oak forest zone is dominated by deciduous oak and ranges from 600 m (2,000 ft) to 1,300 m (4,300 ft).[38] Thereupon extends the beech zone with deciduous beech to elevations from 1,200 m (3,900 ft) to 1,900 m (6,200 ft), such as in the eastern slopes of Mali i Thatë.[39] Mixed deciduous beech and coniferous fir forests are broadly distributed in the regions at elevations from 1,500 m (4,900 ft) to 1,800 m (5,900 ft).[40] Shrubs in combination with forests stretches from the hills around Pogradec through the western slopes of Mali i Thatë to the Albanian-Greek broder in an altitude from 600 m (2,000 ft) to 1,800 m (5,900 ft), however, alpine shrubs can be found at regions higher than 1,800 m (5,900 ft).[41] The alpine meadows and pastures are the regions higher up the beech zone, in particular on Mali i Thatë, whose principal vegetation is grass.[42]

Biology[edit]

Flourishing within the marshes and wetlands of the park, the Dalmatian pelican has established itself as a notable resident in Prespa,[43] evidenced by an observable increase in population and expanding colonies across Albania.[44][45][46] The Small Prespa Lake further contributes to the pelican's significance, hosting important breeding populations of the species.[47] Additionally, the lakes are renowned for hosting other notable bird species, including the White pelican and Pygmy cormorant.[44][48]

  • Balkan lynx
    • The strategic location of Prespa adjacent to the Shebenik National Park suggests a crucial ecological role, acting as a potential corridor for the movement of the Balkan lynx.
  • Approximately 1,130 species of vascular plants have been identified in the park belonging to the European and Mediterranean floristic regions.[50]
  • Prespa National Park houses a diversity of faunal species, including 60 species of mammals, 270 species of birds, 23 species of reptiles, 11 species of amphibia and 23 species of fish.
  • The mountains are one of the last European homes of brown bears, wolves, chamois and wild boar whilst the lake host breeding colonies of Dalmatian and White Pelicans as well as pygmy cormorants.

Sources[edit]

  • Anovska-Jovcheva, E.; Anovski, T.; Brebbia, C. A.; Popov, Viktor (2011). Water Resources Management VI. Wessex Institute of Technology (WIT Press). ISBN 9-781-8456-4514-4. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  • Catsadorakis, George; Crivelli, Alain J. (6 December 2012). Lake Prespa, Northwestern Greece A Unique Balkan Wetland. Springer Netherlands. ISBN 9-789-4011-5180-1. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  • Fremuth, Wolfgang; Shumka, Spase (7 March 2014). "Management Plan of the Prespa National Park in Albania 2014 – 2024" (PDF). Balwois. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  • Riedel, Frank; Väinolä, Risto; Wilke, Thomas (2 April 2009). Patterns and Processes of Speciation in Ancient Lakes. Springer Netherlands. ISBN 9-781-4020-9582-5. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  • Wagner, B.; Wilke, T. (21 April 2011). "Evolutionary and geological history of the Balkan lakes Ohrid and Prespa". Biogeosciences. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  • Sulpizio, R.; Vogel, H.; Wagner, B.; Zanchetta, G. (19 October 2010). "Environmental change within the Balkan region during the past ca. 50 ka recorded in the sediments from lakes Prespa and Ohrid". Biogeosciences. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  • "Studim për Rivlerësimin e Sistemit të Rrjetit të Zonave të Mbrojtura Mjedisore në Shqipëri (1990 – 2019)" (PDF) (in Albanian). Agjencia Kombëtare e Zonave të Mbrojtura (AKZM). pp. 162–168. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Albanian Prespa Lakes". Ramsar Convention. 13 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Rrjeti i Zonave të Mbrojtura në Shqipëri" (PDF) (in Albanian). Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Për miratimin e ndryshimit të statusit dhe të sipërfaqes së ekosistemeve natyrore park kombëtar (kategoria ii) të zonave të mbrojtura mjedisore". Qendra e Botimeve Zyrtare. 26 January 2022. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Vendime të miratuara në mbledhjen e Këshillit të Ministrave, datë 26 Janar 2022" (in Albanian). Kryeministria. 26 January 2022. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  5. ^ AKZM 2019, p. 55.
  6. ^ "Prespa". Protected Planet. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  7. ^ "About – Protected Area Categories: Category II: National Park". International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Ohrid – Prespa". United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). August 2014. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  9. ^ "Important Plant Areas of the south and east Mediterranean region Priority sites for conservation" (PDF). International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). p. 86. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Data Zone: Albania". BirdLife International. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  11. ^ "South Eastern Europe". European Green Belt. Archived from the original on 27 May 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  12. ^ "Major Transboundary Park established in Southeastern Europe" (in Albanian). Ramsar Convention. 3 February 2000. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Prespa Park (PP)". Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP). Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  14. ^ Vancura, Vlado. "Prespa National Park is an excellent potential Wilderness!". European Wilderness Society. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  15. ^ a b AKZM 2019, p. 162.
  16. ^ AKZM 2019, pp. 162–163.
  17. ^ a b AKZM 2019, p. 163.
  18. ^ Wagner & Wilke 2011, pp. 995–998
  19. ^ Sulpizio et al. 2010, pp. 3187–3188
  20. ^ Riedel, Väinolä & Wilke 2009, p. 158
  21. ^ Riedel, Väinolä & Wilke 2009, p. 108
  22. ^ Riedel, Väinolä & Wilke 2009, p. 158
  23. ^ Anovska-Jovcheva et al. 2011, pp. 203–205
  24. ^ Catsadorakis & Crivelli 2012, p. 5
  25. ^ Catsadorakis & Crivelli 2012, p. 22
  26. ^ Germanos, Aghios. "Strategic Action Plan for the Sustainable Development of the Prespa Park" (PDF). Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  27. ^ "Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region". United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). p. 38. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  28. ^ a b c Avukatov, Vasko; Georgiadis, Lazaros Ε.; Ivanov, Gjorge; Karamanlidis, Alexandros A; Krambokoukis, Lambros; Melovski, Dime; Stojanov, Aleksandar; Trajce, Aleksander. "Brown Bear Conservation Action Plan for the Prespa Lakes' Watershed". ResearchGate. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  29. ^ a b c d "Improving future projections of climate change induced hydrological responses by looking into the past: the Lake Prespa / Aliakmonas River case study in Greece". Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS). 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  30. ^ Aufgebauer, Anne; Damaschke, Magret; Leng, Melanie J.; Sulpizio, Roberto; Panagiotopoulos, Konstantinos; Schaebitz, Frank; Viehberg, Finn A.; Vogel, Hendrik; Wagner, Bernd; Zanchetta, Giovanni (1 October 2012). "Climate and environmental change in the Balkans over the last 17 ka recorded in sediments from Lake Prespa (Albania/F.Y.R. of Macedonia/Greece)". Science Direct. pp. 122–135. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  31. ^ Apostolova, Nadezda; Soria, Juan (5 June 2022). "Decrease in the Water Level of Lake Prespa (North Macedonia) Studied by Remote Sensing Methodology: Relation with Hydrology and Agriculture". Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  32. ^ Fremuth & Shumka 2014, p. 22
  33. ^ Fremuth & Shumka 2014, p. 88
  34. ^ Fremuth & Shumka 2014, p. 22
  35. ^ Fremuth & Shumka 2014, p. 22
  36. ^ Fremuth & Shumka 2014, p. 22
  37. ^ Fremuth & Shumka 2014, p. 22
  38. ^ Fremuth & Shumka 2014, p. 23
  39. ^ Fremuth & Shumka 2014, p. 23
  40. ^ Fremuth & Shumka 2014, p. 23
  41. ^ Fremuth & Shumka 2014, p. 23
  42. ^ Fremuth & Shumka 2014, p. 23
  43. ^ Anovska-Jovcheva et al. 2011, p. 7
  44. ^ a b "The Annotated Ramsar List: Albania". Ramsar Convention. 3 July 2017. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  45. ^ "Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus". BirdLife International. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  46. ^ "Pelecanus crispus, Dalmatian Pelican". IUCN Red List. 1 October 2017. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  47. ^ "Lake Mikri Prespa". BirdLife International. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Pygmy Cormorant Microcarbo pygmaeus". BirdLife International. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  49. ^ "Mediterranean Forests, woodlands and scrubs: Pindus Mountains mixed forests". World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  50. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Fremuth and Shumka was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  51. ^ "Status, management and distribution of large carnivores – bear, lynx, wolf & wolverine – in Europe" (PDF). European Commission (EC). December 2012. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
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