Biodiversity of Gosa area

Biodiversity of Gosa area

U. Šilc, A. Mullaj, A. Ibraliu, M. Petrović, Z. Dajić Stevanović

Aim of our lecture:

• Why is Gosa area important for biodiversity?

• Which plant species and habitats are important from conservational view and why?

• What are threats for conservation?

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Gosa area-

Shkumbini River estuary

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Gosa area

complex ecosystem of many habitats:

• Osmani lagoon

• Shkumbini river delta

• salt marshes

• sand dunes

• Mediterranean pine forest

• riparian forest

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Flora

at least 180 species

11 important from conservational aspect

9 endangered

2 vulnerable

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Pancratium maritimum L.

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Aster albanicus ssp. paparisti Qosja

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Hypericum perforatum L.

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Elymus farctus (Viv).

Runemark ex Melderis

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Ammophila arenaria

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Flora

Threats:

•collecting (economic, medicinal or aromatic use)

•endangerment and destruction of their habitats

•limited distribution

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Vegetation

(Habitat types)

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Estuaries

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Coastal lagoon

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Annual vegetation of drift lines

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Embryonic shifting dunes

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Shifting dunes with Ammophila arenaria

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Retrodunes and depressions

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Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp.

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Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea and Pinus halepensis

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Salicornia colonizing mud and sand

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Halophilous scrubs (Arthrocnemum fruticosum)

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Salt meadows (Juncus maritimus, Juncus acuta, Bolboschoenus maritimus)

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Water fringe vegetation (Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, Scirpus lacustris ...)

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Riparian forest dominated by Salix species

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Tamarix and chaste tree galleries and thickets

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Imeri et al. 2010

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Imeri et al. 2010

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Vegetation (Habitat types)

14 habitats (even more plant communities)

3 of Community interest

(Habitats with priority status, included in Annex I to Directive 92/43/EEC)

•* Coastal lagoons

•* Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea and/or Pinus pinaster

•* Coastal dunes with Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa

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Vegetation (Habitat types)

Threats:

•endangerment and destruction of their habitats

•land use change

•urbanization

•fisheries

•transport

•tourism

•climate change

•sea level rise

•limited distribution

•neophytes (Agave, Oenothera …)

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ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Supporting services

þ nutrient dispersal and cycling

- seed dispersal

þ Primary production

Provisioning services:

þ food (including seafood and game), crops, wild foods, and spices

þ water

- minerals (including diatomite)

þ pharmaceuticals, biochemicals, and industrial products

- energy (hydropower, biomass fuels)

Regulating services:

þ carbon sequestration and climate regulation

þ waste decomposition and detoxification

þ purification of water and air

þ crop pollination

- pest and disease control

Cultural services:

þ cultural, intellectual and spiritual inspiration

þ recreational experiences (including ecotourism)

þ scientific dicovery

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In this small area, many plant and animal species and communities found their home.

Therefore we must realize that we are not alone in this beautiful area and that we are to respect their homes.

Falemnderit!