Spase Shumka

Agricultural University of Tirana | UBT · Department of Biology - Chemistry

In this article, we provide an updated list of freshwater fishes in Albania for each sub-basin. The distribution data and taxa-lists presented are based on a literature review up to October 2022 and intensive fieldwork conducted in the last 15 years. Distributional records of 101 fish species (deriving from 25 families) in 11 different sub-basins a...

At the landscape level, freshwater ecosystems are linked at various spatial and temporal scales by movements of different fauna components adapted to life in water. We review the literature on the state of landscape connectivity and related aquatic species that connect different types of freshwater habitats, focusing on linkages from streams, large...

Host-parasite coevolution is one of the fundamentals of evolutionary biology. Due to the intertwined evolutionary history of two interacting species and reciprocal coadaptation processes of hosts and parasites, we can expect that studying parasites will shed more light onto the evolutionary processes of their hosts. Monogenea (ectoparasitic Platyhe...

The region of the Ohrid, Lakes lies in south-eastern Albania at the border to Macedonia and Greece. Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest in the world and it’ s very important for the aquatic biodiversity. Lake Ohrid presents an excellent account of long and short term environmental changes in the central northern Mediterranean region. Anthropogenic pres...

During the last decades, the non-native and invasive fish species represent a serious problem for native fish fauna. The study of the invasions, the determination of invasive fish species, and the record of their spread represent routine practice in the field of fish ecology and nature protection. During the last decade of June of 2022, we conducte...

Abstract. Greater Prespa Lake, located on the Balkan Peninsula, is an ancient freshwater lake inhabited by numerous endemic and endangered species and represents an important part of Europe’s natural heritage. Between 2013 and 2015, standardized gillnet fishing was conducted for the first time ever with the aim of obtaining large-scale information...

In Europe, a total of 20 freshwater mussel species are currently considered valid, of which 13 (65%) are classified as threatened or near threatened on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of species. Given their precarious conservation status there is a pressing need to provide a roadmap for the conservation of th...

While tourism has become the key to the economic prosperity and development of Albania, most islands located in the marine and non-marine environment are now facing immediate and significant problems. Regardless of their size, Albanian islands are facing various conservation and management challenges today due to local environmental problems that a...

Biodiversity loss caused by accelerated land use and land cover changes due to rapid politic and economic transition of 1991 has become a social and political issue in Albania. Protection of biological diversity has emerged as one of the main subjects within the national nature conservation policies in Albania as well as international conventions,...

Information on the knowledge, uses, and abundance of natural resources in protected areas can provide insight into conservation status and strategies in these locations and human attitudes. The slow-food concept is introduced to accommodate agriculture and food production with strong consideration on environment sustainability, biodiversity conserv...

Small standing-water ecosystems (SWE, i.e. ponds, lakes, reservoirs), natural or anthropogenic origin, dominate in the global landscape, contributing to the high diversity of habitats and species as well as environmental heterogeneity. Water chemistry, morphometry, climate and the level of human activities are extremely important in the shaping of...

Although biodiversity is considered a value to be protected to avoid the degradation of ecosystem functions, conservation practices ignore the role of many species. Species are not protected according to their degree of risk, but according to their degree of attractiveness. The so-called iconic species are used as flag species to convince the publi...

The aims of this work were to quantify the origin and degree of heavy metals contamination in the water and the presence and abundance of most significant fish species as well. The water, sediments and fish samples were collected in November 2020 in four different habitats. To determine the level of heavy metals in water (Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe) the AO...

SHUMKA, S., THOMOLLARI, Z., MALI, S. & ALEKSI, P. (1998): Can Rotifers from the pelagic region be used as indicators of Lake trophy state? 27th Annual Water Control pollution Conference 1998, Proceedings, Kotor, Montenegro.

Anthropogenic freshwater habitats may provide undervalued prospects for long‐term conservation as part of species conservation planning. This fundamental, but overlooked, issue requires attention considering the pace that humans have been altering natural freshwater ecosystems and the accelerated levels of biodiversity decline in recent decades. We...

The paper is focusing on demonstrating technical and financial viability of biomass projects and enhancing awareness and strengthening capacities for key actors in the policy and industrial sector (in the olive oil and other sectors with high replication potential such as wood processing, wine production, jam-fruit production), as well as supportin...

The checklist of Rotifera species recorded for Albanian inland waters and its neighboring regions is provided. A total of 140 species of bdelloids and monogononts, with representatives of 38 genera are listed. The history of rotifer surveys as a component of zooplankton in Albania started at the end of 19th century. Mostly they were taxonomic and d...

Although biodiversity is considered a value to be protected to avoid the degradation of ecosystem functions, conservation practices ignore the role of many species. Species are not protected according to their degree of risk, but according to their degree of attractiveness. The so-called iconic species are used as flag species to convince the publi...

Shkumbini is a good example of a river where human, environmental pressures and ecological values collide with each other. The aims of this work were to quantify the origin and degree of heavy metals contamination in the water and the presence and abundance of most significant fish species as well. The water and fish samples were collected in five...

Shkumbini is a good example of a river where human, environmental pressures and ecological values collide with each other. The aims of this work were to quantify the origin and degree of heavy metals contamination in the water and the presence and abundance of most significant fish species as well. The water and fish samples were collected in five...

The southernmost part of Albania, the Butrinti Lake area is characterised by a highly diverse freshwater fish community with a high degree of regional endemism. This study focuses on the Corfu killifish (or toothcarp) Valencia letourneuxi (Sauvage, 1880) that is endemic to the western part of the Ionian Ecoregion, and reported in Albania in the pas...

The European eel (Anquilla anquilla) has been declining throughout its area of distribution, is addressed in several pieces of legislation, and is the target of extensive restoration efforts. Therefore, investigating and conserving natural eel habitats is urgently needed. Large, near-natural rivers have become rare in Europe but the Balkans host so...

The European eel (Anquilla anquilla) has been declining throughout its area of distribution, is addressed in several pieces of legislation, and is the target of extensive restoration efforts. Therefore, investigating and conserving natural eel habitats is urgently needed. Large, near-natural rivers have become rare in Europe but the Balkans host so...

Economidichthys pygmaeus (Holly, 1929) is recorded based on specimens originating from Greater Prespa Lake, southeast Albania, at the intersection between Albania, Greece and North Macedonia. It represents the first record of the species in the Albanian part of this Lake. In the Mediterranean region, the ‘sand gobies’ are widespread playing an impo...

The metabolic rate of fish, as all poikilothermic livings, is closely dependent on the temperature. The analyses of fresh total body of 620 freshwater fishes (respectively 400 specimens during the years occurring fish mortality cases and 220 during other years without outbreak) from 2 species (Alburnus belvica Karaman, 1924 from Lake Prespa and Alb...

The metabolic rate of fish, as all poikilothermic livings, is closely dependent on the temperature. The analyses of fresh total body of 620 freshwater fishes (respectively 400 specimens during the years occurring fish mortality cases and 220 during other years without outbreak) from 2 species (Alburnus belvica Karaman, 1924 from Lake Prespa and Alb...

The metabolic rate of fish, as all poikilothermic livings, is closely dependent on the temperature. The analyses of fresh total body of 620 freshwater fishes (respectively 400 specimens during the years occurring fish mortality cases and 220 during other years without outbreak) from 2 species (Alburnus belvica Karaman, 1924 from Lake Prespa and Alb...

We report for the first time that the freshwater mussel Microcondylaea bonellii (Férussac, 1827) functions as a suitable host for the European bitterling Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782). Given the recent expansion of R. amarus in Europe, the possible physiological cost (e.g. competition for oxygen, reduction in water circulation, and consequent impair...

Fisheries management and fish stock investigations at three large transboundary lakes of the Balkans: Lakes Ohrid, Prespa and Shkoder-Part 2. Results of the fishing campaigns 2013-2015 and development of a fish based system for assessment of the ecological status. We investigated fish communities in the three large lakes of the Western Balkans, Lak...

The Albanian Prespa National Park is situated in southeast of the country.Iit covers an area of 27,750 ha and is part of the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Ohrid-Prespa. The Prespa National Park consists of the lakes, Greater and Lesser Prespa, and the lake basin which extends to the tops of the surrounding Dry and Ivani mountains. The two lakes a...

Agricultural University of Tirana 331 RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access) Variations in the body shape of the rotifer Keratella quadrata (Müller, 1786) in selected Albanian lagoons Abstract Seasonal/temporal variation in body shape, often termed cyclomorphosis, occurs in several zooplankton groups, including rotifers. Such variation is common within the...

We reviewed the potential impact of large-scale hydropower expansion on the conservation status and extinction threat of 113 freshwater fish species on the Balkan Peninsula. Each of these species is listed in one of three IUCN threat categories and/or listed in one or more annexes of the European Habitats Directive or Bern Convention. For 81 of the...

Here we briefly describe the capacity building part of the project »Assessment of the endangered subterranean biodiversity of the Skadar/Shkodra Lake Basin (Montenegro and Albania) conducted in 2016 with the support of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund(CEPF, www.cepf.net), a global nature conservation fund which enables civil society to prote...

Based on a combination of intensive fieldwork for a period of thirteen years (2004– 2017), literature review and review of museum specimens, we hereby provide an updated checklist of the fishes of Albanian part of River Vjosa. Our results show that there are at least 31 species of fishes inhabiting the river system, of which 27 are native, includin...

The paper provides an overview of the existing knowledge on biodiversity of the whole Vjosa catchment. Besides major gaps in knowledge, the Vjosa catchment is one of the richest in Albania, sheltering a high diversity of habitats and species, most of them of international significance. A variety of protected areas is connected by the River Vjosa an...

The paper provides an overview of the existing knowledge on biodiversity of the whole Vjosa catchment. Besides major gaps in knowledge, the Vjosa catchment is one of the richest in Albania, sheltering a high diversity of habitats and species, most of them of international significance. A variety of protected areas is connected by the River Vjosa an...

Knowledge and understanding on habitat ecology of fish is a basic step for developing management and conservation measures. We investigated fish species distribution and fish habitat partitioning at the Poçemi floodplain area of the Vjosa River. The study was conducted during one week in April 2017. Sixteen species, including several protected and...

Lake Ohrid is a superlative natural phenomenon, providing refuge for numerous endemic and relict freshwater species of flora and fauna dating from the tertiary period. As a deep and ancient lake of tectonic origin, Lake Ohrid has existed continuously for approximately two to three million years. Its oligotrophic waters conserve over 200 species of...

Lake Ohrid is a superlative natural phenomenon, providing refuge for numerous endemic and relict freshwater species of flora and fauna dating from the tertiary period. As a deep and ancient lake of tectonic origin, Lake Ohrid has existed continuously for approximately two to three million years. Its oligotrophic waters conserve over 200 species of...

In this paper, the current state of non-indigenous fish species in the Greater Prespa Lake (Albanian side) is clarified. As in other big lakes on the Balkans, e.g. the Ohrid and Scadar Lakes, the Greater Prespa Lake is facing changes concerning fish biodiversity, including an increased presence of non-indigenous species. Following that, the native...

In this paper, the current state of non-indigenous fish species in the Greater Prespa Lake (Albanian side) is clarified. As in other big lakes on the Balkans, e.g. the Ohrid and Scadar Lakes, the Greater Prespa Lake is facing changes concerning fish biodiversity, including an increased presence of non-indigenous species. Following that, the native...

The most common groups of freshwater metazooplankton in Lake Skadar/Shkodra are rotifers, copepods, and cladoceran microcrustacean. Rotifers dominate in the zooplankton and consist of about 58% of the entire zooplankton species, while Copepoda and Cladocera are represented by 29 and 54 species, respectively. The copepod and cladoceran species found...

We reviewed the potential impact of large-scale hydropower expansion on the conservation status and extinction threat of 113 freshwater fish species on the Balkan Peninsula. Each of these species is listed in one of three IUCN threat categories and/or listed in one or more annexes of the European Habitats Directive or Bern Convention. For 81 of the...

We reviewed the potential impact of large-scale hydropower expansion on the conservation status and extinction threat of 113 freshwater fish species on the Balkan Peninsula. Each of these species is listed in one of three IUCN threat categories and/or listed in one or more annexes of the European Habitats Directive or Bern Convention. For 81 of the...

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 revi...

Based on the ‘European Mires Book’ of the International Mire Conservation Group (IMCG), this article provides a composite map of national datasets as the first comprehensive peatland map for the whole of Europe. We also present estimates of the extent of peatlands and mires in each European country individually and for the entire continent. A minim...

Implementing the EU Water Framework Directive in South-Eastern Europe

The knowledge on the distribution of native and non-native crayfish species in Europe has substantially advanced during last two decades. However, data on the exact distribution of European crayfish are still lacking in some regions of the Balkan Peninsula, e.g., in Albania. Out of five European crayfish taxa, Astacus astacus and Austropotamobius t...

Both Rajca and Lumi i Gashit: Outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial ,freshwater ecosystems and communities of plants and animals

About 16 Hydro Power Plants (HPPs) are contracted for construction within the planned National Park of Albanian Alps, 8 of which are wholly within existing Valbona Valley NP (1996), the other 6 of which are downstream just outside park boundaries but having ecological effect upstream. These constructions are “run-of-river” projects, re-routing at l...

Along its entire course of over 270 kilometers the River Vjosa is untamed, free flowing and characterized by a high variety of hydro-morphological and biodiversity features. There are about 33 small and big hydropower plants under or planned for construction in Vjosa catchment. The most influential are the HPPs to be constructed in Poçemi and Kaliv...

About 16 Hydro Power Plants (HPPs) are contracted for construction within the planned National Park of Albanian Alps, 8 of which are wholly within existing Valbona Valley NP (1996), the other 6 of which are downstream just outside park boundaries but having ecological effect upstream. These constructions are “run-of-river” projects, re-routing at l...

The main reasons of fungal expansion in mural frescoes and wooden materials old churches are inappropriate indoor humidity and temperature and the spore’s germination can be controlled by regulation of these factors. Considerable number of post byzantine churches was analyzed for presence of fungi. Differential media were used: czapek dox agar (CZ)...

Contribution to the knowledge of longhorn beetle fauna in Albania (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). The present paper reports on records of 72 longhorn beetle species in Albania. Chlorophoirus trifasciatus (FABRICIUS, 1781) and Certallum ebulinum (LINNAEUS, 1767) are new to the fauna of the country. Notices on Red List species and rare longhorn beetles s...

The implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) in SE Balkans - development, problems and prospects The current study presents the current status in the development of multimetric indexes in the countries of the Balkan Peninsula and the problems that have to be solved in an effort to develop a common Index for the assessment of t...

Në Korrik 2014 në liqenin e Fierzës, Kukës, u vu re për herë të parë në ujërat e ëmbla shqiptare një lulëzim në masë i cianobakterit Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. Lulëzimi i algave: sinjal i parë i eutrofikimit kulturor (i nxitur nga ndikimi i njeriut) në ujërat e ëmbla shqiptare (Miho et al., 2014). Fosfori i përgjithshëm: 0.02-0.19 mg/L (matur në Top...

Këtu jepen mendimet e ekspertëve mbi ndërtimin e HEC-eve në Luginën e Valbonës (Bajram Curri). Por këtu jemi mbështetur kryesisht në gjykimet mbi “Raportin e Vlerësimit të Ndikimit në Mjedis nga Ndërtimi i HEC-eve në Kaskadën e Dragobisë (në këtë dokument RVNMKD)”, Qëllimi është që të sigurojë një kuptim më të mirë në lidhje me cilësinë e raportit...

Agricultural land abandonment is recognized as a major environmental threat in Europe, being particularly pronounced in south-eastern Europe, where knowledge on its effects is limited. Taking the Balkan Peninsula as a case study, we investigated agricultural abandonment impact on passerine communities at regional level. We set up a standard methodo...

The phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of the spirlins in the genus Alburnoides are examined by comparative sequencing analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Molecular analyses revealed 17 Eurasian lineages divided into two main clades, termed the Ponto-Caspian and European in accordance with the lineage distribution. The indel diagnos...

In the period from 03.06.2014 to 10.06.2014 were carried out numerous field trips in two areas near Librazhd (Albania) to study the longhorn beetle (Col. Cerambycidae). In this paper 33 species are listed, including a new species for the Albanian fauna (Leiopus linner WALLIN, NYLANDER&KVAMME, 2009) and some rare species such as Mesosa curculionoide...

The Dalmatian pelican (DP) Pelecanus crispus and the great white pelican (GWP) Pelecanus onocrotalus are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Least Concern’, respectively, in the IUCN Red List. We present an updated estimation of the Black Sea/Mediterranean flyway population status of both species, based on data provided by experts working in all 7 countrie...

The European standards for fish sampling in lakes determined the sampling protocols and methodology developed in the course of fish and fishery monitoring for Prespa lakes. The sampling procedure was based on stratified random sampling. The sampled area has been divided in strata (3 strata for Greater Prespa Lake) and random sampling is performed w...