Biodiversity Hotspot

River Nerite (Theodoxus fluviatilis). 69 fish species are endemic to the Balkans and over 40% of all endangered freshwater mollusc species (mussels and snails) of Europe live here.
River Nerite (Theodoxus fluviatilis). 69 fish species are endemic to the Balkans and over 40% of all endangered freshwater mollusc species (mussels and snails) of Europe live here., © Jörg Freyhof
Danube Salmon (Hucho hucho). It is likely that the center of the remaining population of this species – which was once wide-spread across the Danube basin – is concentrated in only a few rivers of the Danube river basin which are now threatened by dam construction
Danube Salmon (Hucho hucho). It is likely that the center of the remaining population of this species – which was once wide-spread across the Danube basin – is concentrated in only a few rivers of the Danube river basin which are now threatened by dam construction, © Andreas Hartl
Thick Shelled River Mussel ( Unio crassus).
Thick Shelled River Mussel ( Unio crassus)., © Jörg Freyhof
Krbava minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) in Croatia.
Krbava minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) in Croatia., © Jörg Freyhof
Softmouth trout (Salmo obtusirostris).
Softmouth trout (Salmo obtusirostris)., © S. Schöffmann
Softmouth trout in the Vrljika River.
Softmouth trout in the Vrljika River., © Arne Hodalic
Dam projects threaten the Mavrovo National Park and the last remaining population of the Balkan lynx.
Dam projects threaten the Mavrovo National Park and the last remaining population of the Balkan lynx., © Joachim Flachs
The Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus). The total population of Balkan lynx is estimated to comprise fewer than 50 individuals. Based on this estimate, the species is considered "Critically Endangered".
The Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus). The total population of Balkan lynx is estimated to comprise fewer than 50 individuals. Based on this estimate, the species is considered "Critically Endangered"., © BLRP/Scopes
Fritillaria macedonica on an official stamp (2008) as part of the Macedonian natural heritage. The Lukovo Pole project would affect 17 threatened plant species, like the endemic checkered lily species Fritillaria macedonica. Source: http://www.wnsstamps.ch
Fritillaria macedonica on an official stamp (2008) as part of the Macedonian natural heritage. The Lukovo Pole project would affect 17 threatened plant species, like the endemic checkered lily species Fritillaria macedonica. Source: http://www.wnsstamps.ch
The European Otter (Lutra lutra) is considered to be “Near Threatened” due to an ongoing population decline. It is also threatened by projected dams in the Mavrovo National Park.
The European Otter (Lutra lutra) is considered to be “Near Threatened” due to an ongoing population decline. It is also threatened by projected dams in the Mavrovo National Park., © Wolfgang A. Bajohr
The critically endangered European Eel. Dams would cut off its main habitats in the Vjosa catchment.
The critically endangered European Eel. Dams would cut off its main habitats in the Vjosa catchment., © blickwinkel/A.Hartl
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) in the Narta Lagoon, Vjosa Delta in Albania.
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) in the Narta Lagoon, Vjosa Delta in Albania., © Ferdinand Bego
Stork paradise: temporal flooding makes the Sava´s floodplains a perfect feeding ground for several heron species or White storks (Ciconia ciconia) - which breed on nearly every roof in the riparian villages along the main river course.
Stork paradise: temporal flooding makes the Sava´s floodplains a perfect feeding ground for several heron species or White storks (Ciconia ciconia) - which breed on nearly every roof in the riparian villages along the main river course., © Martin Schneider-Jacoby
Eurasian Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) nesting in one of the last active colonies in South Eastern Europe - the Sava River oxbow Krapje Đol in Lonjsko Polje Nature Park.
Eurasian Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) nesting in one of the last active colonies in South Eastern Europe - the Sava River oxbow Krapje Đol in Lonjsko Polje Nature Park., © Nenad Setina
The Sava provides typical riparian bird habitats, for instance for the Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) which breeds in steep walls.
The Sava provides typical riparian bird habitats, for instance for the Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) which breeds in steep walls., © Anton Vorauer
Sand Martins at their nesting hole.
Sand Martins at their nesting hole., © Anton Vorauer
Huge Sand Martin colony.
Huge Sand Martin colony., © Anton Vorauer
Bee-eater (Merops apiaster).
Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)., © Anton Vorauer
Bee-eater.
Bee-eater., © Anton Vorauer
Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) on the Balkans.
Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) on the Balkans., © Anton Vorauer
Pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus) roosting on a tree in Hutovo Blato Nature and Bird Reserve - Bosnia&Herzegovina.
Pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus) roosting on a tree in Hutovo Blato Nature and Bird Reserve - Bosnia&Herzegovina., © Anton Vorauer
Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus).
Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus)., © Anton Vorauer
Young Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) in their nest.
Young Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) in their nest., © Anton Vorauer
Aesculapian snake (now Zamenis longissimus, previously Elaphe longissima).
Aesculapian snake (now Zamenis longissimus, previously Elaphe longissima)., © Anton Vorauer
Dice snake (Natrix tessellata).
Dice snake (Natrix tessellata)., © Anton Vorauer
Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni).
Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni)., © Anton Vorauer
Common scops owl (Otus scops) - typical to riverbanks. 51 bird species were identified during the Vjosa GEO Days of Biodiversitz.
Common scops owl (Otus scops) - typical to riverbanks. 51 bird species were identified during the Vjosa GEO Days of Biodiversitz., © Edison Nuredini
Extremely rare Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) – breeds and nests in Vjosa’s canyons.
Extremely rare Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) – breeds and nests in Vjosa’s canyons., © Adrian Guri
Cory's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) - typical species of natural river deltas.
Cory's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) - typical species of natural river deltas., © Ilir Kaso
The hoopoe (Upupa epops). Suprisingly rare in the region.
The hoopoe (Upupa epops). Suprisingly rare in the region., © Olsi Nika
Many European green toads (Bufo viridis) were sighted during the Vjosa Field Trip.
Many European green toads (Bufo viridis) were sighted during the Vjosa Field Trip., © Adrian Guri
Balkan Water Frog (Rana balcanica). Participants of the GEO Days identified 9 species of amphibians and reptiles that occur in five different habitats around Poçemi village in the middle section of the Vjosa River.
Balkan Water Frog (Rana balcanica). Participants of the GEO Days identified 9 species of amphibians and reptiles that occur in five different habitats around Poçemi village in the middle section of the Vjosa River., © Enerit Saçdanaku
Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus).
Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)., © Adrian Guri
Greek Stream Frog (Rana graeca) – typical to clean waters rich in oxygen.
Greek Stream Frog (Rana graeca) – typical to clean waters rich in oxygen., © Enerit Saçdanaku
European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) - near-threatened according to IUCN.
European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) - near-threatened according to IUCN., © Enerit Saçdanaku
Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni).
Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni)., © Enerit Saçdanaku
European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) – protected by IUCN and Albanian Red Book.
European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) – protected by IUCN and Albanian Red Book., © Spase Shumka
During the Vjosa field study, 30 species of ground beetles were identified, mostly in the sand and gravel banks of the river and its tributaries. Four species found have conservation status under the Albanian Red List: Cincindela germanica - VU, Carabus coriaceus - VU, Dorcus parallelipipedus - VU and Oryctes nasiconis - LR/nt.
During the Vjosa field study, 30 species of ground beetles were identified, mostly in the sand and gravel banks of the river and its tributaries. Four species found have conservation status under the Albanian Red List: Cincindela germanica - VU, Carabus coriaceus - VU, Dorcus parallelipipedus - VU and Oryctes nasiconis - LR/nt., © Adrian Guri
The tiger beetle Cylindera trisignata is common on sand islands or other sandy areas in the floodplains. The threat status of this species has not yet been classified by the IUCN.
The tiger beetle Cylindera trisignata is common on sand islands or other sandy areas in the floodplains. The threat status of this species has not yet been classified by the IUCN., © S. Hristovski
Eoperla ochracea – rare species and indicator of natural and free-flowing rivers.
Eoperla ochracea – rare species and indicator of natural and free-flowing rivers., © Adrian Guri
Delicate work by macrozoobenthos experts. Approximately 150 species of macrozoobenthos were identified during the Vjosa field study. Literature on aquatic organisms in Albania is rare, so it will take time to determine if these are new findings for Albania. Biodiversity is high due to the habitat-heterogeneity within the river bed.
Delicate work by macrozoobenthos experts. Approximately 150 species of macrozoobenthos were identified during the Vjosa field study. Literature on aquatic organisms in Albania is rare, so it will take time to determine if these are new findings for Albania. Biodiversity is high due to the habitat-heterogeneity within the river bed., © Adrian Guri
Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia Cecilia) – a rare species endemic to Southern Europe, North Africa and Western Turkey. It was found at the Vjosa’s mouth into the Adriatic Sea. During the GEO Days, a total of 30 species of butterflies from 5 different families were identified.
Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia Cecilia) – a rare species endemic to Southern Europe, North Africa and Western Turkey. It was found at the Vjosa’s mouth into the Adriatic Sea. During the GEO Days, a total of 30 species of butterflies from 5 different families were identified., © INFOJARDIN
Dragonflies laying eggs. Participants to the Vjosa field camp identified 18 species of dragonflies. Their key habitats were small tributaries of the Vjosa River, especially those with well-preserved riparian vegetation.
Dragonflies laying eggs. Participants to the Vjosa field camp identified 18 species of dragonflies. Their key habitats were small tributaries of the Vjosa River, especially those with well-preserved riparian vegetation., © D.Kitanova
Eastern Spectre (Caliaeschna microstigma) – IUCN protected. The population of Caliaeschna microstigma is declining due to degradation or loss of habitat.
Eastern Spectre (Caliaeschna microstigma) – IUCN protected. The population of Caliaeschna microstigma is declining due to degradation or loss of habitat., © Karen Nichols
Black Pennant (Selysiothemis nigra) – identified as a new species in Albania in 2013. The Vjosa delta is a new spot for Selysiothemis nigra in Albania.
Black Pennant (Selysiothemis nigra) – identified as a new species in Albania in 2013. The Vjosa delta is a new spot for Selysiothemis nigra in Albania., © Ilir Kaso
Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens).
Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens)., © Adrian Guri
Mediterranean black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) – one of eleven spider species recorded for the first time in Albania. However, the most important discovery was the species Devade tenella - the first record of this species in the Balkan Peninsula.
Mediterranean black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) – one of eleven spider species recorded for the first time in Albania. However, the most important discovery was the species Devade tenella - the first record of this species in the Balkan Peninsula., © M. Komnenov
Myotis bechsteinii bat colony – the second only sighting in Albania. It is a very specialized species that lives only close to clean water, in an old-growth forest near a river.
Myotis bechsteinii bat colony – the second only sighting in Albania. It is a very specialized species that lives only close to clean water, in an old-growth forest near a river., © P. Théou
Excrement of a European Otter (Lutra Lutra) – protected by IUCN.
Excrement of a European Otter (Lutra Lutra) – protected by IUCN., © B. Hoxha
Fox captured by camera trap.
Fox captured by camera trap.
Wolf captured by camera trap.
Wolf captured by camera trap.
Hare captured by camera trap
Hare captured by camera trap
Greek Strawberry Tree (Arbutus andrachne) – unique to this area of Albania.
Greek Strawberry Tree (Arbutus andrachne) – unique to this area of Albania., © L. Melovski
The Balkan Rivers are one of the most important hotspots for European biodiversity, especially fish and molluscs, hosting many threatened as well as endemic species. Rare vegetation communities and water depended fauna can be found not only in these very rivers, but also in adjacent alluvial habitats. Read about it here: Biodiversity Hotspot
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