BIODIVERSITY AND PROTECTED AREAS IN KOSOVO

Kosovo even a small country, it is distinguished with rich biodiversity. Its geographical position, geological factors, hydrology and climate are some of factors that enabled Kosovo to have rich biological diversity, rich flora, fauna and vegetation as well as presence relict, endemic and other important species. Based on researches made so far, in Kosovo are inventoried about 2.000 species of vascular flora, but it is supposed this number is much higher and reaches about 2.500 species. It means the Kosovo species inventory is not completed yet. According to the researches made so far, in Kosovo are identified more than 250 wild vertebrate species (215 bird species) as well as a number of invertebrates (so far recognized 200 butterfly species, over 500 macrozoobentos species). The nature protection through protected areas is an important legal tool that enables protecting the values of natural heritage and biodiversity. Currently the national network of protected areas is consisted by 98 nature areas with the total surface of 124.204 ha (11.5 % of the territory of Kosovo). Greatest territory of protected area is taken up by the “Sharri” and “Bjeshket e Nemuna” National Parks, with 94 % of the total territory of protected areas. Recently over 160 new areas of various categories of protection were proposed for protection. Several gaps and problems within protected areas in Kosovo which even now most of them continue to follow the nature conservation. If we are going with those steps and dynamic, in a few years’ highly valued natural areas in Kosovo will lose their values and many endangered species of fauna and flora will be extinct as a result of the conversion of land for agricultural purposes, infrastructure development, infrastructure (unplanned and uncontrolled constructions), fragmentation of habitats (especially by streets and quarries), unsustainable exploitation of forest ecosystems, herbs, certain animals, etc.