Ferdije ZhushiUniversity of Prishtina · Department of Biology
Ferdije Zhushi
Dr.
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67
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Introduction
Ferdije Zhushi currently works at the Department of Biology, University of Prishtina. Ferdije does research in Zoology, Entomology and Ecology. Their current project is 'Conservation of Biodiversity Through the Red Book of Animal Species of Kosovo'.
Additional affiliations
November 1984 - present
Publications
Publications (67)
Macrophytes are important elements of aquatic ecosystems that grow in or near water. Their taxonomic composition, species diversity, depth, and density are indicators of environmental health; as such, Macrophytes are used to assess the ecological status of water bodies. Under the aim of assessing the ecological status of the Klina River in Kosovo,...
The Geometridae is the second most diverse Lepidoptera
family in Europe but its diversity has not been studied
evenly across the continent. In this paper, we present the
first tentative checklist of Geometridae from Kosovo,
which is based on the results from our survey conducted
in the period March-October 2020 and the existing literature. During o...
The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus , is an invasive mosquito species that is considered a potential vector of about 22 arboviruses, among which dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Here we report the first record of Aedes albopictus in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. The first finding, in July 2020, was driven by a photo of an adult mosqu...
The first record of the Large Chequered Skipper butterfly Heteropterus morpheus (Pallas, 1771) from the Republic of Kosovo is presented. This species was recorded in two localities during our butterfly surveys in "Bjeshket e nemuna" National Park in 2019-2021.
The tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus is an invasive mosquito species that is considered important vector of about 22 arboviruses, among which Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika. Despite the investigations carried out for the presence of this specie in Kosovo since 2017 under the framework of VectorNet project, there has been no record of Ae. albopictus i...
The tendency for higher economic development with the aim of increasing the citizens’ standard of living has led many natural resources in Kosovo to be overused and degraded. This environmental degradation is nowadays presented in the form of air, water and soil pollution. To cope with environmental problems in a society, its citizens, especially t...
In terms of Rhopalocera diversity Kosovo is one of the least studied areas in Europe. During 2018 we visited Kosovo on several occasions and gathered a total of 500 records of 98 species of butterflies or 57% of the 171 species known from the area so far. While our survey was not systematic and most localities were visited only once, the data gathe...
In this paper we present the results of a survey of three butterfly families: Hesperiidae,
Pieridae and Papilionidae, in the Mountain massif Shkoza in central Kosovo, conducted from
May to October 2016. Among 29 recorded butterfly species in this survey, 14 (48%) species
belong to Pieridae, 10 (24%) to Hesperiidae and 4 (13.7%) to Papilionidae. Rec...
Macroinvertebrates are a mandatory required Biological Quality Element by the WFD as indicator for the ecological status of the surface waters. In this paper we present the results of the investigation of macroinvertebrate benthic fauna in the river Nerodime in Kosovo, conducted from June to September 2012. The EPT index and Hilsenhoff 's family bi...
Butterflies are highly sensitive to habitat and climate changes and are recognized as important indicators of the state of the environment. Therefore their diversity needs to be studied on a regional scale in order to take actions for their protection by national and international legislation. Here, the results of a butterfly survey in the northeas...
Alpine lakes are characteristic of high altitudes, located mainly in areas where there are no settlements. The lakes are located an altitude of over 2000 meters, their depth varies from 1m to 2m, their width from 25 to over 40m, surface from 625m to over 1600 m 2 . Most alpine lakes are covered in ice during the winter. Water quality in these lakes...
Butterflies are highly sensitive to habitat and climate changes, and are recognized as important indicators of the state of the environment. Therefore their diversity needs to be studied on a regional scale in order to take actions for their protection by national and international legislation. Here, the results of a butterfly survey in the northea...
The major impacts on aquatic ecosystems worldwide caused by land use lead to changes in their natural conditions and limitation of water use for various needs. This paper presents the results of the study of the physical and chemical parameters and macroinvertebrate assemblage in the White Drin River (or: the Drim River, Alb. the Drini i Bardhë Riv...
Benthic macroinvertebrates are used to evaluate water quality in 8 sampling stations in Lepenci river basin in Kosovo. Sampling was performed in spring, summer and fall 2017. Following biotic indices are used: EPT taxa richness, Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP), Average Score per Taxon (ASPT), Stroud Water Research Center index (SWRC), Fa...
This paper presents the faunistic results of three short field excursions conducted in spring and early summer of 2018 in Kosovo, considering dragonfly fauna one of the most understudied countries of Europe. This study presents first systematic dragonfly research in Kosovo. Within a total of 13 field days between end of April and end of June 2018,...
This paper presents the faunistic results of three short field excursions conducted in
spring and early summer of 2018 in Kosovo, considering dragonfly fauna one of the
most understudied countries of Europe. This study presents first systematic dragonfly
research in Kosovo. Within a total of 13 field days between end of April and end of
June 2018,...
Mosquitoes are widely distributed in the countries of SouthEast Europe, respectively Balkans and a large number of arboviruses were recently identified in this region, including Kosovo. Surveillance and control of vector-borne diseases presents many challenges for public health authorities. Collecting data on the distribution, abundance, and season...
The Red Book of Fauna of the Republic of Kosovo takes biodiversity out of the academic box, by putting these species in responsibility of decision-making bodies, NGOs, educational institutions, as well as the society in general. On the other hand, the responsibility of academic institutions does not cease, but it becomes even more important, especi...
The aim of this study is to analyze sensitivity of macroinvertebrate groups in different pollution sources in water bodies in order to evaluate the water quality of the rivers in Kosovo. Up to recently, the saprobity indices were the most used for this purpose. In this research different indices based on macroinvertebrate groups presented in the wa...
The aim of this study is to identify the mosquito species that currently exist and their distributions in Kosovo in order to determine current potential endemic zones and areas at a higher risk for future epidemics. These scientific data will be shared with public health authorities for implementing mosquito control programs. During a two-year peri...
The aim of this study is to identify the mosquito species that currently exist and their distributions in Kosovo in order to determine current potential endemic zones and areas at a higher risk for future epidemics. These scientific data will be shared with public health authorities for implementing mosquito control programs. During a two-year peri...
In this paper we present the results of a study on the distribution of butterfly species in the protected area Mirusha Waterfalls in Kosovo, conducted in the period from April to the end of September 2016. No studies on butterfly fauna in this area had been conducted previously.
The survey was organized in 13 sites with different types of habitats,...
In this paper we present the results of a study on the distribution of butterfly species in the protected area Mirusha Waterfalls in Kosovo, conducted in the period from April to the end of September 2016. No studies on butterfly fauna in this area had beenconducted previously. The survey was organized in 13 sites with different types of habitats,...
For Republic of Kosovo, Atlas of the European dragonflies and damselflies (2015) reports 22 dragonfly species, with less than 50 data altogether and majority of records collected before 1986. This makes Kosovo one of the least investigated European countries considering dragonfly fauna. Department of Biology of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sc...
In this paper the results of a study on composition of butterfly fauna of the family Nymphalidae in the
protected area “Mirusha Waterfalls” in Kosovo, conducted in the period April to the end of September
2016 are presented. “Mirusha Waterfalls” is a Natural Monument (III category according to IUCN) with a
surface of 598.4 ha, located in the centra...
Ndikimi i mushkonjave në skemën e jetës njerëzore është i padiskutueshëm. Gjatë gjithë historisë njerëzore, mushkonjat ishin dhe ende janë një lidhje shumë e rëndësishme për shëndetin publik, veçanërisht kur ato zhvillohen me dendësi të madhe dhe shkaktojnë telashe; ose kur bartin viruse që kanë shkaktuar dhe janë ende duke shkaktuar sëmundje shumë...
The mosquitoes are the most important group of insects because of their impact in public health and for this they are subject for many entomological research in worldwide. A large part of the world's population lives under the risk of becoming infected by mosquitoes that carry the causative agents of diseases such as malaria, dengue, Chikungunya, W...
Abstract
Water represents an essential element for life and living things on earth. Aquatic ecosystems play a decisive role in socio-economic development in urban and rural areas. In recent decades there have been concern at the global level with regard to the deterioration of aquatic ecosystems due to the pollution, which is a product of mainly...
Republic of Kosovo, covering an area of 10.908 km2, is a West Balkan country where dragonflies are very poorly investigated. For Kosovo, Atlas of the European dragonflies and damselflies reports 22 dragonfly species, with less than 50 data altogether and majority of records collected before 1990, which makes Kosovo one of the least investigated Eur...
Surface waters in the Lepenc river basin have been under the influence of a large number of contamination factors of anthropogenic nature over the last two decades. Contaminations from the soil surface easily reach surface waters, modifying water quality. Today there are many methods that are used to classify surface water quality. This paper aims...
We used physicochemical and biological parameters to evaluate the water quality in river Nerodime in Kosovo. The research was conducted in spring 2017, in three stations along the river (upstream, middle and downstream). River Nerodime is the biggest tributary of the River Lepenci Basin that flows in South Eastern part of Kosovo. During its flow, N...
The Fauna of Odonata (Dragonflies) in Kosovo has been studied very little, so the data for this insect order are very poor. In this paper are presented the first data on the composition of fauna of Odonata of the Sitnica River. Adult dragonflies were studied along the river course during the August 2017. Sitnica River is 90 km long, it flows to the...
The discharge of polluted waters from industry, agricultural flows and municipal waste waters in rivers causes the change of natural conditions of the rivers. River Lepenci basin flows in South East part of Kosovo, it discharges in river Vardar in Macedonia that belongs to Aegean Sea basin. During its flow, the river Lepenci basin covers the munici...
The discharge of polluted waters from industry, agricultural flows and municipal waste
waters in rivers causes the change of natural conditions of the rivers. River Lepenci basin
flows in South East part of Kosovo, it discharges in river Vardar in Macedonia that belongs to Aegean Sea basin. During its flow, the river Lepenci basin covers the munici...
Climatic, ecological, social and economic changes,as well as the rise of the movement of people increases the possibility of transporting pathogen agents transmitted by vector insects. Mosquitos are known as organisms that transmit different pathogens that causes diseases in humans and animals. The existing data about mosquito diversity (Diptera-Cu...
The rivers in Kosovo are under continuous pressure from various stressor factors
affecting their quality.With the aim of evaluating these effects, a biological
monitoring of the river Lepenci based on the macroinvertebrate fauna is conducted
in spring season.
The river Lepenci basin with a 650km2 surface lies in the southeastern part of the
country...
River Nerodime is the biggest tributary of the river Lepenci basin. The discharge of untreated municipal wastewaters from the city of Ferizaj in its middle and down flow makes this river one of the most polluted in Kosovo. In this paper are presented the results of a study of physicochemical and biological parameters, macro-invertebrates, in three...
The state of the rivers in Kosovo is pretty concerning as the result of the influence of many anthropogenic factors. In order to evaluate the water quality of the river Nerodime we have monitored physical-chemical parameters, heavy metals, macro-invertebrates and fish. The samples were collected in three localities throughout the river flow in spri...
Insects of the order Lepidoptera are among the most explored in Europe. This order is presented with a rich variety, especially in the Balkan Peninsula, which includes also the state of Kosovo. In this paper the results of the research of Nymphalidae family in the region of Llapusha in Kosovo, specifically in the southern part of the mountain range...
In this paper we present the results of the investigation of the environmental worldview of the young people from Kosovo, using the New Ecological Paradigm-15-item NEP scale. The scale was administered to 300 students at age 17-19 (upper secondary level) in a secondary school in the city of Malisheva. The Mean Total Pro –NEP score of 63.32% indicat...
The sensitivity of macro invertebrates to changes in environmental quality made them an integral part of any bio-monitoring program. In our research macro invertebrates were used to evaluate the anthropogenic pollution in the river Mirusha. The samples were collected during January to April 2015 in three locations along the river.Based on the value...
In this paper the results of a study on composition of butterfly fauna in the
protected area “Mirusha Waterfalls” in Kosovo, conducted in the period
April to the end of September 2016 are presented. “Mirusha Waterfalls” is a
Natural Monument (III category according to IUCN) with a surface of 598.4
ha, located in the central part of Kosovo. No s...
In this paper we present the new records of butterfly Araschnia levana
(Linnaeus, 1758) in Republic of Kosovo. The survey was conducted from
May/September 2016. In our survey Araschnia levana was recorded in two different
areas, in Kopaonik Mountain range in northern part of the country and in Mirusha
Park in central Kosovo. This research presents...
Insects of the order Lepidoptera are among the most explored in Europe. This order is presented with a
rich variety, especially in the Balkan Peninsula, which includes also the state of Kosovo. In this paper the
results of the research of Nymphalidae family in the region of Llapusha in Kosovo, specifically in the
southern part of the mountain range...
Kosovo has a rich and diverse fauna of butterflies which, recently, is arising a huge interest of biodiversity researchers. In this paper, the results of the research of butterflies of the Lyecaenidae family, conducted in the mountains of Ceri, Stermica and Kryeguri, in the central part of Kosovo, are presented. In total twenty-five species of Lyca...
ABSTRACT: This paper presents the research on butterflies
(Lepidoptera) in the village Shkoza in Kosovo. The data on the structure
of butterflies in Kosovo is quite limited and incomplete because a large
part of its territory is not explored in this respect. The village Shkoza
belongs to the municipality of Malisheva, located in the central part of...
Kosovo has a rich and diverse fauna of butterflies which, recently, is arising a huge interest of biodiversity researchers. In this paper, the results of the research of butterflies of the family Lycaenidae, conducted in the mountains of Ceri, Stermica and Kryeguri, in the central part of Kosovo, are presented. Butterflies were collected in the per...
In this paper we provide a list of new species records of Trichoptera collected during the 2009-2010 period in the Republic of Kosovo. We report six first records for the Kosovo caddisfly fauna: Tinodes braueri McLachlan, 1978, Hydropsyche modesta Navas, 1925, Plectrocnemia mojkovacensis Malicky, 1982, Annitella triloba Marinković-Gospodnetić, 1955...
The distribution of Mesophylax aspersus Curtis, 1834 (Trichoptera Limnephilidae) ranges from Western Europe, Mediterranean region, Madeira, Canary Islands and up to Southwestern Asia. According to the present knowledge it is however almost absent from Southeastern Europe. In this paper we present first record of M. aspersus from the Republic of Kos...
New faunistic data on Trichoptera from Kosovo based on sampling carried out during the autumn of 2013 and first half of 2014 are presented. Limnephilus
bipunctatus was found in a small stream in Kaqandoll village located in northern Kosovo and in Shtuticë village located in central Kosovo. Two male specimens of Limnephilus
decipiens were found at G...
- As the WFD requires carrying out regular quality assessment of fish population, in the frame of this study sampling was done in 3 sites along Lumebardhi i Pejes river.A list of species composition is completed. Altogether 9 fish species and lamprey (Eudontomyzon stankokaramani) were present in
catch. The classification of the ecological status i...
- Heavy metal environmental pollution, especially
with lead has become very disturbing, because it causes multiple
negative effects in living organisms. It is known that lead is a
potent inhibitor of ALA-D activity. The current investigations
provide an attempt to find minimal critical level of lead that
produces inhibitory effect of ALA-D act...
The implementation of the Water Framework Directive of the European Union among others requires future routine assessment of the ecological status of rivers. Among the latter, fish communities referring to their species compositions, abundances, and age structure have to be considered as biological indicators. As the WFD requires carrying out regul...
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of pollution caused by the agriculture activities on the quality of water of Rimnik river in the municipality of Rahovec, using macrozoobentos as an indicator of the ecological status of the river. Considering that the agricultural activity in this region is highly developed and the chemicals are used...
The concentration of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu, $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity (ALA-D: EC.4.2.1.24) hemoglobin and protein amount have been determined in three different populations of fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) caught at two urban sites (Mitrovica town, which is situated close to smelter of “Trepça” don close and Prishtina the...
This paper presents data obtained from literature and by sampling of the fish fauna in the Drini i Bardhë River (the White Drin). A table containing all 18 fish species of Drini i Bardhë River, which were collected by the authors in the period between 2005 and 2007, is presented. The results from the two–year research period in Drini i Bardhë River...
Projects
Projects (2)
”BIOMONITORING OF WATER QUALITY OF RIVER NERODIME BASED ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND MACROINVERTEBRATES”
The development objective of the component is to catalyze actions for biodiversity conservation in Kosovo through providing information and analyses on the status, trends and threats to animal species.
The specific objectives of the component are as follows:
• Synchronize the collective research knowledge and expertise in biodiversity conservation contained within the partnership originations (Kosovo Institute for Nature Protection, Directorate of Sharri National Park, Directorate of Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park, University of Prishtina, Museum of Kosovo -‐ Nature Section).
• Establish a baseline database for the status of known species, and a strategy for future enhancement of the database.
• Verify desk information in the field and gain other relevant data for Red Book of Animal species.
• Provide conservation priorities based on regional and global context
• Provide a monitoring scheme for evaluated species including the status of a representative selection of species that cover major ecosystems.
• Increase awareness on protection and conservation of animal species in Kosovo.