TRADING-OF FRESHWATER BIODIVERSITY AND HYDROPOWER IN A UNIQUE BALKAN HOTSPOT (VJOSA RIVER WATERSHED, ALBANIA)

Inland waters and freshwater biodiversity in Albania constitute a valuable natural resource, in economic, cultural, aesthetic, scientific and educational terms. Amongst them Vjosa River watershed represents a unique feature, while its conservation and management are critical to the interests of loca...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shumka, Spase, Bego, Ferdinand, Bequiraj, Sajmir, Paparisto, Anila, Shuka, Lulezim, Kashta, Lefter, Miho, Aleko, Shumka, Laura, Mali, Sotir
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Association for Promotion of Holistic Approach to Environment 2018
Subjects:
ecosystem
inland water
faunal migration
ecological integrity
degradation
Anguilla anguilla
European eel
Online Access:https://hrcak.srce.hr/215208
https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/314547
Description
Summary:Inland waters and freshwater biodiversity in Albania constitute a valuable natural resource, in economic, cultural, aesthetic, scientific and educational terms. Amongst them Vjosa River watershed represents a unique feature, while its conservation and management are critical to the interests of local population, national and regional one. This review explores the special features of Vjosa River as one of the last living wild rivers in Europe. Along more than 230 kilometers in Albania it is untamed and free flowing, characterized by beautiful canyons, braided river sections and meandering stretches. Together with its tributaries, the Vjosa River creates a dynamic near-natural ecosystem, a true regional natural heritage. However, eight dams are foreseen along its course in Albania. These dam projects would destroy the unique river system. The river itself, from delta to upland flows, is migration corridor for European eel (Anguilla anguilla Linnaeus, 1758) and many other marine species.

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