The Biodiversity Of Flora In Protected Areas: Case Study In The Ecosystem Of Mount Ivan I Madh, In The Region Of Prespa, Albania

Abstract

The ecosystem of the mountain Ivan i Madh, with an altitude of 1768 m, is encompassed by Qafa e Zvezdes at an elevation of 1099 m and Zaroshka's hills with a height of 890 m to the north, by Mount Ivan I Vogel with an altitude of 1365 m to the east, by the river of Devoll and the Pojan field to the west, and by the Dumbrava hills to the south. Prespa is located in the sub zone of the eastern mountainous Mediterranean climate, characterized by cold winters with relatively long freezing periods and not very dry summers. Some key indicators of the climate are: annual average temperature 11.2 ° C, maximal temperature in the summer ranges 32°C whereas the minimal 1-2°C. Absolute minimum temperature is found in January and ranges at around -16°C. Commonly there are snow-covered areas for over 4 months in the eastern and northern regions. Precipitation in the form of rain reaches values of up to 750-800 mm per year. Snowfall values range from a few cm to over 1 m, with a duration of several days in the western slope and up to several weeks in eastern and northern slopes. A wide variety of forests, bushes and grasses lie in the phytoclimatic areas of Castanetum, Fagetum and Alpinetum. Flora, represented by the area of Castanetum, starts from the lake shore (altitude of 850m) to a height of 1.250 m, in which forest territory lies mainly in hills. The main types of trees are oaks such as: Bunga (Quercus petraea), Qarri (Q. cerris), bulgeri (Q. Trojan), shparthi (Q. frainetto), and bungebuta (Q. pubescentis); also accompanied by Frasheri, panja of the mountain, melleza, and a large prevalence of shkaza. There is also a rare existance of caraci plants (Celtis tournefortii) as well as venja (Juniperus excelsa). Specific of the area are the soft Chestnut, cultivated in the village of Golloberde, acacia, an introduced plant with relatively low areal, as well as Bush and the following types of oak: (Quercus Petrea, Quercus cerris, Quercus pubescens etc. In forests, there can be found plants endemic to the Balkans, such as: Centaurea prespana, Dianthus perviformis, Centaurea rudifula, and other endangered ones. Bushes that go along with oaks are: first of all hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and less juniper, hazel, cornel, and hawthorn. Bushi (Bucsus semprevirensis) is characteristic of the ecosystem of mount Ivan. It is found in groups and covers an enormous area. Also it is located at the borders of 45% of the surface vegetation area. In the area of Fagetum, beech (Fagus sylvatica) can be found, as well as mountain maple, melleze, etc. at a lesser rate. Special value this is given to this vegetation by the presence of wild hazelnut (Corylus colurna). Beech forests extend up to a height of 1.700 m on Ivan Mountain. The mountain is covered with rich medical plant resources such as: red flowers (Papaver rhoeas), orchids (Orchis mascula), mullaga (Malva sucvestris), red juniper (Juniperus ohycedrus), ballsani flower (Hyperikum perforatum), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), chamomile (Chamomolla recutita), birch (Betula pendula), mountain tea (Sideritis roeseri), wild rose (Rosa Kanina), blackberries (Rubus fruticosus), gorica (Pyrrus amygdaliformis), and nettles (Urtica dioica). This study was conducted in the period 2008-2009