Jul 27, 2017 - the occurrence of the virgin forest indicator lichen Lobaria pulmonata, which is growing on the stems of old Beech trees. Lobaria pulmonata.
UNESCO World Nature Heritage sites Rrajca and Lumi i Gashit
Prof.Dr. Spase Shumka Tirana International Hotel, 27th July 2017
Both Rajca and Lumi i Gashit: Outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water ecosystems and communities of plants and animals Outstanding examples of the evolutionary and developmental processes of beech forests since the last glacial period, giving rise to a terrestrial ecosystem that has shaped an entire continent in a globally unique manner. There is no other tree species in the world to play such a dominant and unique role as Fagus sylvatica.
The nominated forests are the best old growth forest stocks in the heart of beech forest distribution in Albania. Their integrity is characterized by - completeness of species composition, natural structure, regeneration cycles, and landscape complexes, - area sizes, which are completely illustrating the typical forms and natural dynamic processes The integrity has been guaranteed by - the legal status with renunciation of all uses, and - the management as strictly protected areas by state administrations
Current Distribution of Fagus sylvatica (Map: Erik Welk, M LU Halle/S., AG Chorologie)
Eco-geographical Beech Forests Regions (BFR) (m)-sm/mo 1 – Pyrenaic BFR 2 – Appenninian BFR 3 – Illyric-Balcanic BFR
8
7 4 1
6
5 2
(sm/mo)-temp/coll-mo 4 – Subatlantic-Central European BFR
5 – Alpic BFR
3
6 – Carpathian BFR temp/planar 7 – Atlantic BFR 8 – Baltic BFR
The process started with:
Potenticial Albanian Beach forest areas for nomination as UNESCO site 3-6th October 2012, Isle of Vilm, Germany
S. Shumka, PPNEA Tirana Albania
Excursion to Ancient Beech Forests in Albania, July 14-19, 2013_group lead by Prof. Hannes Knapp
In the 1920s German vegetation geographers and foresters got interested in the Beech Forests of Albania which were still covering large areas (Dengler 1931, Markgraf 1927, 1931, 1932).
Problems in the last several decades Global trends, regional
Pemë shekullore
Tipologjia Pemë të lashta me kurora për mbrojtje ose folenizim Kavitete mbi trungjet e mëdhenj
Fauna e eger shoqëruese) Grabitqarë të mëdhenj si shqiponja (Aquila chrysaetos ) Hapësira për folenizimin e thëllëzës së malit (Alectoris graeca )
Trungje të thatë në mes të individëve të gjallë
Mjedise të përshtatsëm për instected Lucanus cervus, Cerambyx cerdo
Bimë shumë të vjetra me degë të mëdha Shpendë, ketra, sëbashku me insekte dhe që ofrojnë strehë dhe folenizim predatorë të tyre Trungje pemësh të Trungje në kwmbë, që humbasin thate akoma në gradualisht degët dhe kërcejtë këmbë Trungje të bashkuar me hapësira të mëdha për strehimin e kafshëve Pemë të reja të vdekura Trungje të porsarëzuar me degë të shumta Trungje që dobësohen gradualisht Trungje të rëzuar që fundosen ngadalë në tokë Trungje të rezuara Trungje të rëzuar, pa degë në dekompozim Trungje të rëzuar, plotësisht të dekompozuar me formë të ruajtur Pemë të shkulura, rrënjët të bashkëlidhura Mbetje të shumta bimore Mbeturina bimore në Fragmente të mbetjeve bimore, degë, trungje tokë dhe ujë Mbetje të dekompozimit bimor në lumenj dhe përrenj
Kolonializim nga kërpudha, likene, fierna, insekte dhe species si qukapikët Ariu i murrëm Shoqërime kërpudhash, alga dhe baktere Shoqërime kërpudhash dhe insekte bri-gjatë Insekte dhe kërpudha Insekte dhe kërpudha Insekte, kërpudha të specializuara Miriapodë, etj. Trungjet e rëzuar nxisin mbirjen e bimëve të reja Rrënjët mund të fshehin shpendë dhe insekte Fierna dhe bimë të tjera Lloje të specializuara kërpudhash, etj.
Alga, larva insektesh, peshq
Lumi i Gashit
The Strict Nature Reserve “Lumi i Gashit” (IUCNCategory I) with a surface of 3’000 ha was designated with decision No. 102 on 15.01.1996.
Particular geology The oldest depositions at the Albanian Alps begin with schist, sandstones, conglomerates, and limestones with fuzilinidae of Permian (age 295 million years). Over the above formations are positioned the terrigenes, terrigeno- carbonate rocks, limestones, radiolarians siliceous and tuffs and tuffits, algae limestones and dolomites, slate limestones with siliceous lenses, limestones with megalodonte, stromatolite limestones of Triassic, (age 250 milion years). The actual mountainous relief is due to a tectonic movement in the plioquaternary (1,8 millions years), which is the last tectonic episode of a geological history, which started in the Mesozoic (70-40 millions years).
Especially the Beech Forests on steep slopes in the montane zone, partly mixed with Abies alba and Picea abies as well as with Pinus peuce (endemic for the Balkans) should be considered.
Pinus peuce
Wildlife, with particular presence of large carnivors
The inclusion of a Pinus heldreichii rocky forest in the Beech Forest belt and the joint occurrence of Fagus sylvatica and Pinus peuce in large stands of high integrity and in elevations higher than 1’700 m are a remarkable unique feature of tremendous value. The integrity is expressed by the structure of the forests (old trees and high deadwood share) and by the occurrence of the virgin forest indicator lichen Lobaria pulmonata, which is growing on the stems of old Beech trees.
Lobaria pulmonata
Hericium coralloides
Aquatic diversity/Hydrology and species
S. faroides (Gashi, 20 July 2014)
Rajca
The forest of Rajca with a surface of 4‘700 ha has been designated as Strict Nature Reserve in 1996. Today it is part of the Shebenik-Jablanica National Park which was established in 2008 (33‘928 ha)
Altogether a total of 65 vegetation types have been identified. Among them 24 have been considered of particular importance for conservation based on two criteria: correspondence with habitats listed in the Habitat Directive 92\43\CEE (hereinafter H.D.) or significantly high species richness.
Beech trees expand to the gravel islands in the narrow river bed and grow in mixture with Abies alba, Pinus peuce, and Sorbus cf. aria. The wooded steep slopes are characterized by lower and deeper valleys of creeks. Along rock walls and boulder fields the natural timberline within the Beech Forest belt is formed. Avalanche tracks, sliding blocks and screes are expressing the tremendous geomorphological dynamic and its impact on the forest structure.
Sorbus cf. aria
The rich occurrence of the Balkan endemic Pinus peuce is to be pointed out as an important plant geographic particularity and a unique feature of this site. Pinus peuce develops at the upper timberline and forms within the Beech Forest belt mixed stands with Fagus sylvatica.
Invertebrates
Lucanus cervus
Wildlife, with particular presence of large carnivors
In the highest altitudinal belt (1800-2250m), above the tree line, two different Land units, one on limestone and the other on igneous rocks can be found.
62D0-Oro-Moesian acidophilous grasslands 4060-Alpine and Boreal heaths 7230-Alkaline fens
Fomes fomentarius
Hericium coralloides
Pleurotus ostreatus
Pholiota lundberggii
Monotropa uniflora
Corallorrhiza mertensiana
Hemitomes congestum
Saprophytic plant species in beach forest arae
Threats -Human presence -Forest use - Grazing - Water use practices
