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Biogeosciences, 7, 3999–4015, 2010
www.biogeosciences.net/7/3999/2010/
doi:10.5194/bg-7-3999-2010
© Author(s) 2010. CC Attribution 3.0 License.
Biogeosciences
A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure – assessing threats
and identifying conservation needs for ancient Lake Ohrid
G. Kostoski
1
, C. Albrecht
2
, S. Trajanovski
1
, and T. Wilke
2
1
Hydrobiological Institute Ohrid, Naum Ohridski 50, 6000 Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia
2
Dept. of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32 IFZ, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Received: 21 May 2010 – Published in Biogeosciences Discuss.: 13 July 2010
Revised: 3 December 2010 – Accepted: 3 December 2010 – Published: 17 December 2010
Abstract. Immediate conservation measures for world-wide
freshwater resources are of eminent importance. This is par-
ticularly true for so-called ancient lakes. While these lakes
are famous for being evolutionary theatres, often displaying
an extraordinarily high degree of biodiversity and endemism,
in many cases these biota are also experiencing extreme an-
thropogenic impact.
Lake Ohrid, a major European biodiversity hotspot situ-
ated in a trans-frontier setting on the Balkans, is a prime ex-
ample for a lake with a magnitude of narrow range endemic
taxa that are under increasing anthropogenic pressure. Un-
fortunately, evidence for a “creeping biodiversity crisis” has
accumulated over the last decades, and major socio-political
changes have gone along with human-mediated environmen-
tal changes.
Based on field surveys, monitoring data, published
records, and expert interviews, we aimed to (1) assess threats
to Lake Ohrids’ (endemic) biodiversity, (2) summarize exist-
ing conservation activities and strategies, and (3) outline fu-
ture conservation needs for Lake Ohrid. We compiled threats
to both specific taxa (and in cases to particular species) as
well as to the lake ecosystems itself. Major conservation
concerns identified for Lake Ohrid are: (1) watershed im-
pacts, (2) agriculture and forestry, (3) tourism and popula-
tion growth, (4) non-indigenous species, (5) habitat alter-
ation or loss, (6) unsustainable exploitation of fisheries, and
(7) global climate change.
Among the major (well-known) threats with high impact
are nutrient input (particularly of phosphorus), habitat con-
version and silt load. Other threats are potentially of high im-
pact but less well known. Such threats include pollution with
hazardous substances (from sources such as mines, former
Correspondence to: C. Albrecht
(christian.albrecht@allzool.bio.uni-giessen.de)
industries, agriculture) or climate change. We review and
discuss institutional responsibilities, environmental monitor-
ing and ecosystem management, existing parks and reserves,
biodiversity and species measures, international conservation
activities, and ongoing research on conservation and raising
of public awareness. Following this summary, we evalu-
ate the status quo and future of Lake Ohrid and its biota.
A comprehensive conservation strategy should include mea-
sures that result in an immediate reduction of nutrient input,
particularly with phosphorus, in order to slow down the on-
going eutrophication process. The existing watershed man-
agement should become more effective. Implementation and
particularly with a view to the enforcement of national laws
should be enhanced. Increased research on the lakes’ lim-
nology, biodiversity, and conservation management practices
are necessary. The latter research should identify conserva-
tion priorities. Public awareness should be enhanced. Fac-
ing these parallel needs to protect the unique biodiversity
of Lake Ohrid, we suggest urging (a) implementation and
enforcement of the General Management Plan that would
ensure long-term integrated and sustainable use of the lake
and its watershed, (b) scientific studies on ecology, biodi-
versity and effects of human impact, (c) the establishment
of Core Conservation areas (CCA), including underwater re-
serves, and (d) Coastal Zone Management (CZM) areas that
would constitute buffer zones for the CCAs around the lake.
Given the number of identified threats, it is clear that only
concerted international action can stop or at least slow down
further degradation of Lake Ohrid and the creeping biodiver-
sity crisis already evident. All conservation activities should,
among others, ultimately lead to a trans-boundary major con-
servation area of the Ohrid-Prespa region that would allow
long-term integration of both humans and nature.
Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union.
4000 G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure
1 Introduction
It is generally accepted that humans are currently causing the
greatest mass extinctionof species since the disappearance of
the dinosaurs some 65 million years ago (e.g., Thomas, J. A.
et al., 2004; Cadotte et al., 2008). Some researchers suggest
that if present trends continue, one half of all species will be
extinct in less than 100 years due to, e.g., habitat destruc-
tion, pollution, invasive species, and climate change (Strauss
and Pezold, 2009). It has been repeatedly emphasized that
freshwater habitats and species living in freshwater are gen-
erally more prone to extinction than terrestrial or marine ones
(Abell, 2002; Strayer, 2006). Immediate conservation mea-
sures for world-wide freshwater resources are thus of emi-
nent importance (Dudgeon et al., 2006). There are, however,
challenges to recognizing impacts of environmental changes
and species responses such as extinction debt, that is, a de-
layed extinction of species following habitat loss or degra-
dation (e.g., Kuussaari et al., 2009). Extinctions following
environmental perturbations are more likely in specialized
habitats (Glavin, 2007) and for highly endemic (Purvis et al.,
2000) as well as ecologically specialized species (Norris and
Harper, 2004). Such conditions prevail in so-called ancient
lakes, that is, lakes that have continuously existed since be-
fore the last Interglacial (Albrecht and Wilke, 2008). While
these lakes are famous for being evolutionary theatres, of-
ten displaying an extraordinarily high degree of biodiversity
and endemism, in many cases these biota are also under ex-
treme anthropogenic pressure (Coulter et al., 2006). Most of
these lakes are subject to human-induced environmental and
biotic change, including decline in population densities and
loss of endemic species (Coulter et al., 2006). The degree
of these changes, however, varies from lake to lake (Cohen,
1994; Cohen et al., 1996). Ancient lake endemics are partic-
ularly vulnerable to environmental changes due to their of-
ten small ranges, resulting in an imminent risk of extinction
(e.g., Cohen, 1994). As a consequence of the biodiversity cri-
sis in ancient lakes, the relative proportion of cosmopolitan
species increases. In addition, newly introduced species have
been recognized in an increasing number of ancient lakes, in-
cluding famous large water bodies, which were thought to be
largely inviolate such as Lake Malawi (Genner et al., 2008),
Lake Titicaca (Albrecht et al., 2009b) or the Caspian Sea
(Riedel et al., 2006).
Anthropogenic pressure is most often related to human
population increase, as seen around the lakes of Sulawesi
(von Rintelen and Glaubrecht, 2008) or the African Rift
(Sturmbauer, 2008). Major environmental changes include
reductions of water levels due to massive extraction for ir-
rigation, fishery-related eutrophication, pollution, increasing
seasonal climatic extremes, and toxification (Cohen, 1994).
There is growing evidence that global change impacts an-
cient lakes and rapid warming, for example, recently has
been registered in famous Lake Baikal (Moore et al., 2009).
Direct or indirect habitat destructions occur in these lakes.
As a consequence, benthiccommunities are altered and even-
tually food webs become interrupted (Marijnissen et al.,
2009). Highly adapted and specialized species often can-
not cope with these sometimes rapid environmental changes
(Noges et al., 2008).
Lake Ohrid, a major European biodiversity hotspot
(Stankovi
´
c, 1960), is a prime example for a lake with a
magnitude of narrow range endemic taxa that are under in-
creasing anthropogenic pressure. The transboundary lake
is shared by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
(from hereon called Macedonia) and the Republic of Al-
bania (from hereon called Albania). Taking surface area
into account, Lake Ohrid is even considered to be one of
the most diverse ancient lakes in the world with regard to
the number of endemic species (Albrecht and Wilke, 2008).
Lake Ohrid and its surroundings have been listed by UN-
ESCO since 1979/1980 as “Natural and Cultural Heritage of
the Ohrid region”. Unfortunately, increasing evidence for a
“creeping biodiversity crisis” has accumulated over the last
decades (Tocko and Sapkarev, 1978; Wilke and Albrecht,
2007; Albrecht and Wilke, 2008), and major socio-political
changes have gone along with human-mediated environmen-
tal changes (Watzin et al., 2002). These developments in-
crease the need for a new comprehensive assessment of
threats and respective conservation strategies for Lake Ohrid.
Based on field surveys and long-term observations, mon-
itoring data available at the Hydrobiological Institute Ohrid
(HBI), examining the extensive published record, and con-
ducting expert interviews, we aim to:
1. assess threats to Lake Ohrids’ (endemic) biodiversity,
2. summarize existing conservation activities and
strategies, and
3. outline future conservation and research needs for
Lake Ohrid.
2 Threats
The threat assessment carried out in this paper is based on
the guidelines provided by both the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Global International
Waters Assessment (GIWA). The IUCN threat classifica-
tion scheme was used, which is primarily designed to as-
sess key threats to species. They involve past, ongoing and
future threats, using a time frame of three generations or
ten years, whichever is the longer (not exceeding 100 years
in the future) as required by the Red List Criteria (IUCN,
2001). Environmental impacts were assessed using the scor-
ing scheme provided by GIWA, which is more ecosystem ori-
ented. Four impact scores ranging from 0 (impact unknown)
through 1 (slight impact), 2 (moderate impact) to 3 (severe
Biogeosciences, 7, 3999–4015, 2010 www.biogeosciences.net/7/3999/2010/
G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure 4001
Table 1. Summary chart of IUCN threat classification scheme, key threats, current impact and expected future (mid-term) importance in the
Ohrid basin. Four scores ranging from 0 (no know impact) through 1 (slight impact), 2 (moderate impact) to 3 (severe impact) were used to
assess the current impact according to the scoring scheme provided by GIWA (2001). Average scores were calculated for each threat class
and maximum values are also given. The level of knowledge regarding these threats is subjectively estimated. For details and references see
text.
Threat class Key threat Level of knowledge Impact Average impact Maximum impact
1 Residential & commercial
development
1.1 Housing & urban areas
1.2 Commercial & industrial areas
1.3 Tourism & recreation areas
well-known
moderately known
well-known
3
1
3
2 (2.33) 3
2 Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
2.2 Wood & pulp plantations
2.3 Livestock farming & ranching
2.4 Marine & freshwater aquaculture
less known
less known
less known
well-known
2
1
2
2
2 (1.75) 2
3 Energy production
& mining
3.1 Oil & gas drilling
3.2 Mining & quarrying
3.3 Renewable energy
–
moderately known
–
0
3
0
1 3
4 Transportation & service
corridors
4.1 Roads & railroads
4.2 Utility & service lines
4.3 Shipping lanes
4.4 Flight paths
less known
–
–
–
2
0
0
0
1 (0.5) 2
5 Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals
5.2 Gathering terrestrial plants
5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
5.4 Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources
–
–
–
well-known
0
0
0
3
1 (0.75) 3
6 Human intrusions &
disturbance
6.1 Recreational activities
6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
6.3 Work & other activities
less known
–
less known
3
0
1
1 (1.33) 3
7 Natural system
modifications
7.1 Fire & fire suppression
7.2 Dams & water management/use
7.3 Other ecosystem modifications
less known
moderately known
less known
2
2
3
2 (2.33) 3
8 Invasive & other
problematic species & genes
8.1 Invasive non-native/alien species
8.2 Problematic native species
8.3 Introduced genetic material
moderately known
–
less known
2
0
2
1 (1.33) 2
9 Pollution 9.1 Domestic & urban waste water
9.2 Industrial & military effluents
9.3 Agricultural & forestry effluents
9.4 Garbage & solid waste
9.5 Air-borne pollutants
9.6 Excess energy
well-known
moderately known
moderately known
well-known
less known
–
3
3
2
3
1
0
2 3
10 Geological events 10.1 Volcanoes
10.2 Earthquakes/tsunamis
10.3 Avalanches/landslides
–
–
–
0
0
0
0 0
11 Climate change & severe
weather
11.1 Habitat shifting & alteration
11.2 Droughts
11.3 Temperature extremes
11.4 Storms & flooding
11.5 Other impacts
well-known
less known
less known
less known
–
3
3
2
1
0
2 (1.8) 3
impact) were used to quantify the importance of each key is-
sue (Table 1). Details on determining impact scores can be
found in the GIWA Methodology handbook for scaling and
scoping (GIWA, 2001). Average scores were calculated for
each threat class and maximum values are given. The level
of knowledge regarding these threats was subjectively esti-
mated.
Threats to the Lake Ohrid ecosystem are manifold, some-
times obvious in other cases rather subtle with the time
frame for consequences ranging from immediate to long-
term. In this paper, we compile threats to both specific
taxa (and in cases to particular species) as well as to the
lake ecosystems itself. These threats act on different spatial
scales with varying intensities (Fig. 1). The list of current
and particular potential threats assessed is of course incom-
plete and here we have restricted ourselves to anthropogenic
threats, which may act in complex interconnected ways (Co-
hen, 1994). The amount of different and partly interacting
www.biogeosciences.net/7/3999/2010/ Biogeosciences, 7, 3999–4015, 2010
4002 G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure
Fig. 1. Land use and spatial distribution of selected major threats to Lake Ohrid (for details see text and Table 1).
threats results in a number of conservation concerns re-
lated to Lake Ohrid: (1) watershed impacts, (2) agriculture
and forestry, (3) tourism and population growth, (4) non-
indigenous species, (5) habitat alteration or loss, (6) un-
sustainable exploitation of fisheries, and (7) global climate
change. These concerns may include direct threats or may
cause more indirect effects. Different spatial scales are in-
volved, ranging from local to ecosystem wide scales. Threats
assumed as basis in these concerns may be present on either
of the sides of the lake (Albania, Macedonia) or be ubiqui-
tous. Moreover, many of the threats listed in Table 1 affect
more than one of the above concerns.
2.1 Watershed impacts
The natural tributaries of Lake Ohrid such as the Daljan,
Velgoska, and Koselska rivers on the Macedonian side and
the Cerava, Pogradeci, and Verdova rivers on the Albanian
side carry anthropogenic nutrients and sediment loads (see
Sect. 2.2) and thus pose a threat to oligotrophic Lake Ohrid
(e.g., Vogel et al., 2010b). Most of those rivers flow through
populated areas with nonexistent or inefficient sewage treat-
ment systems.
The River Sateska was diverted into Lake Ohrid from its
former path into the River Crni Drim in 1962 (Fig. 1) in or-
der to improve the water balance of the lake and to enhance
its potential for hydropower use. Since then, however, it has
been a major source of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
and sediments fed into the lake (Jordanoski et al., 2006; Vo-
gel et al., 2010b). Long-term microbiological as well as
physico-chemical investigations revealed the adverse effects
of the Sateska inflow on Lake Ohrid (Watzin et al., 2002).
Water abstraction is currently considered to be of minor
importance in Lake Ohrid (Matzinger et al., 2006a, b), partly
because annual balance is achieved by regulating the afflu-
ent Crni Drim River and the diversion of the Sateska River.
It is, however, a major problem in neighboring Lake Prespa
(Fig. 3). Given the underground hydraulic karstic connection
between these two lakes, several studies have investigated the
impact of Lake Prespa waters on Lake Ohrid (e.g., Amataj et
al., 2007). It was concluded that the phosphorus transported
from eutrophicated Lake Prespa may jeopardize Lake Ohrid
in the future (Matzinger et al., 2006a). Increased phosphorus
concentrations were identified in Lake Ohrid, which facil-
itate the process of eutrophication (Matzinger et al., 2007)
and which pose a serious threat to hypolimnetic dissolved
oxygen – the major prerequisite for sublittoral and profundal
endemic life (Stankovi
´
c, 1960).
Biogeosciences, 7, 3999–4015, 2010 www.biogeosciences.net/7/3999/2010/
G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure 4003
Karstic springs such as those in Sv. Naum, Zagorican,
and Tushemisht also have a major impact on the water bal-
ance, temperature regime, and oxygen supply of Lake Ohrid.
These springs are some of the most affected water bodies
in the Ohrid basin. Negative impacts are most obvious in
the Zagorican/Tushemisht feeder spring complex on the Al-
banian side. This is of major importance since these karstic
springs are responsible for a large part of the water balance of
Lake Ohrid and thus directly impact the lake. Since the men-
tioned feeder springs are linked to Lake Prespa via under-
ground connections, eutrophication processes there impact
Lake Ohrid through these sources (Matzinger et al., 2006a).
Touristic facilities and ongoing capturing and pollution of the
springs are also of great concern. The springs are not only
very important from a hydrological point of view, they also
harbour several endemic species (Albrecht and Wilke, 2008).
Domestic and industrial waste waters pose another major
threat to Lake Ohrid. Approximately 65% of the wastewater
in Macedonia is currently collected and transported to the
treatment plant Vranista (Avramoski et al., 2003, 2006)
However, the ring collecting system for domestic sewage in-
stalled in the late 1980s on parts of the Macedonian side is
partly disfunctional (D. Georgiev, personal communication,
2009). By the end of 2010, the third project phase of the
Pogradec waste water treatment project will start. Popula-
tion growth (see below), and rapid urbanisation in both Al-
bania and Macedonia provide a major source of sewage wa-
ter, which flows into Lake Ohrid. So-called “black spots”,
characterized by high contamination with bacteria have been
identified around densely populated areas (Fig. 1), such as
around Pogradec (Watzin et al., 2002).
Besides untreated domestic sewage, which is a well-
known threat, there have been major inflows of toxic sewage
from the textile industry in Ohrid (OTEX), electrogenerator
fabrics (EMO), and Zastava car parts galvanization facilities.
Economic reasons have forced the closure of many plants in
the past two decades and thus these sources of major pol-
lution have been greatly reduced. A recent study has found
high PCB concentrations in edible fish of Lake Ohrid (Topi
et al., 2010). Heavy metal contaminations from, for example,
Cr or Fe-Ni mines on the Albanian side, however, remain a
major problem with unforeseeable long-time consequences
to be caused by waste flowing into the lake (Watzin et al.,
2002). These specific sources of contamination can be traced
in the sediments (Vogel et al., 2010b). Remaining stockpiles
also present a permanent threat to Lake Ohrid, particularly
large waste dumps close to the shore (Watzin et al., 2002).
Moreover, though mining and metal processing has been re-
duced in the past years, this may only be temporary (Fig. 2e).
The extent and overall importance of the industrial contami-
nations, e.g., with metals, are not well understood.
Solid waste washed into the lake (Fig. 2g) is another prob-
lem as sanitary landfills, for example in Bukovo/Koselska
or at Tushemisht, are rare or do not meet modern standards.
Trash dumped into the lake accumulates over the years and
eventually habitats become altered. Long-term effects of rot-
ten plastics cannot be estimated for the time being.
2.2 Agriculture and forestry
Land use changes and particularly intensified agriculture in
the Ohrid watershed are a major concern, and their impacts
are of potentially great importance to the Lake Ohrid ecosys-
tem (Watzin et al., 2002). Agriculture is carried out on many
areas, particularly in the north and southwest of the Ohrid
basin (Fig. 1). The extent and severity of the impacts, how-
ever, are less well known (Table 2). A negative example of
the effects of agricultural activities in the surrounding areas
is provided by the complete draining of Lake Maliq in Al-
bania (Fig. 2f) approximately 80 years ago (e.g., D
´
en
`
efle et
al., 2000). Today, the intensive use of fertilizers and overuse
of pesticides is believed to directly affect the eutrophication
process in Lake Ohrid. Irrigation in much of the watershed
should increase the problem. The Annual Monitoring Report
carried out by the Environmental Institute in 2005, 2006, and
by the Environment and Forest Agency (Monitoring labora-
tory of Pogradec) in the year 2007, shows that the use of
chemical fertilizers from 1998 until 2007 has increased pro-
gressively (Supreme Audit Institution, 2008).
Many pesticides are used, including copper sulfate, lin-
dane, organophosphates, synthetic fungicides, and others
(UNESCO ROSTE, 2004). For example, 8901 kg of pesti-
cides were used in the Pogradec district of Albania in the year
2001 (UNESCO ROSTE, 2004). In Macedonia, agrochem-
icals are regulated, but many banned substances are readily
available on the black market. However, statistics on pesti-
cide use do not exist (UNESCO ROSTE, 2004; Watzin et al.,
2002).
Pesticides accumulate in the Lake Ohrid fish and thus pose
a real health hazard to humans consuming them (UNESCO
ROSTE, 2004). Other major impacts of agriculture/forestry
are disruption of formerly interacting lake/watershed habi-
tats due to land use, increased sediment loads and erosion
due to deforestation of nearby areas, and lake-level changes
due to water extraction. The latter may be less directly im-
portant for Lake Ohrid, but constitutes a major issue for
Lake Prespa, where huge amounts of water are abstracted
every year for plantations mainly on the Macedonian and
Greek sides. Given the underground connection between
lakes Prespa and Ohrid, water level changes in Lake Prespa
likely, however, impact the water balance of Lake Ohrid as
well.
Logging and subsequent surface erosion into Lake Ohrid
are causes for concern. Though its effects are less well-
known, it is a constantly increasing phenomenon. For exam-
ple, a major silt load mainly caused by deforestation along
the course of River Sateska is impacting the littoral around
the mouth (N. Hoffmann, personal communication, 2010;
Vogel et al., 2010b) (Fig. 2h). Concerns also exist for human
mediated large scale fire events (Fig. 1), which by far exceed
www.biogeosciences.net/7/3999/2010/ Biogeosciences, 7, 3999–4015, 2010
4004 G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure
Fig. 2. Examples of threats facing Lake Ohrid and conservation activities. (A) – Urban and rural expansion in the Ohrid basin, Ohrid
town; (B) – increasing boat traffic on the lake; (C) – overexploitation of fisheries, illegal net fishing on Macedonian side; (D) – habitat
loss, Bej Bunar spring NW of Ohrid, type locality of an endemic spring snail; (E) – destruction of shoreline habitats N of Pogradec, Nickel
Chromium processing facilities in the background; (F) – intensively used agricultural areas in the Lake Ohrid surroundings as sources of
nutrient, pesticide, herbicide and sediment input, Maliq region, Albania; (G) – solid waste pollution, plastics at beach near Grasnica; (H)
– diverted Sateska river as major source of sediment, organic and chemical pollution; (I) – eutrophication as indicated by increased algal
growth in the littoral; (J) – species survival program for Ohrid trout including hatcheries and co-ordinated release, combined with fishing
ban on Macedonian side; (K) – National Park Galicica with strictly protected zones at Lake Ohrid shore and feeder spring system Sv. Naum.;
(L) – removal of illegal houses in the strictly protected zone on the Lake Ohrid shore.
natural events in both intensity and frequency (D. Georgiev,
personal communication, 2009). Wood processing plants,
particularly along the Albanian shore are another signifi-
cant source of contamination with wastewater in Lake Ohrid
(Watzin et al., 2002).
2.3 Tourism and population growth
Though the shores of Lake Ohrid might have been populated
for thousands of years (Holtvoeth et al., 2010), over the past
decades three lakeside towns – Ohrid, Struga, and Pogradec
– have grown considerably with a combined population ap-
proaching 200000 in 2008 according to the State Statis-
tical Offices of Macedonia and Albania (GeoHive, 2010;
Fig. 2a). The growing number of both permanent residents
and tourists is a major problem in the Lake Ohrid area, with
increasing pollution being the most serious associated threat.
Political instability following the breakup of Ex-Yugoslavia
greatly reduced the number of tourists frequenting the lake
(UNESCO ROSTE, 2004). The last few years, however,
have seen an increase in tourist numbers both in Macedonia
and Albania. For the Macedonian part, 250000 tourists have
been counted in the year 2007 (Southeast European Times,
2007). The number of weekend houses, hotels, beaches with
tourist facilities, sports recreational areas, campsites, and re-
sorts is rising rapidly, mainly around the Macedonian towns
Biogeosciences, 7, 3999–4015, 2010 www.biogeosciences.net/7/3999/2010/
G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure 4005
Table 2. Conservation concerns and associated major threats identified for Lake Ohrid. The level of knowledge regarding these threats is
subjectively estimated. Examples are provided for each threat (for details see text).
Conservation concern Major threats Level of knowledge Example Reference
1 Watershed impacts Nutrient input well-known Sateska River, Lake Prespa
underground connection
Watzin et al. (2002);
Matzinger et al. (2007)
Increased sediment load moderately known Tributaries to Lake Ohrid Vogel et al. (2010b)
Waste water well-known Domestic waste waters Watzin et al. (2002)
Metal contamination less known Industries and disposals Albania Vogel et al. (2010b)
2 Agriculture and forestry Intensified agriculture less known Pesticides in fish UNESCO ROSTE (2004)
Irrigation less known Northern plains of the
Ohrid basin
Watzin et al. (2002)
Logging less known Wood processing plants Albania Watzin et al. (2002)
Water abstraction less known Agribusinesses around Lake
Prespa, thus affecting the water
regime of Lake Ohrid
This study
Fire events less known Anthropogenic fires on Galicica
Mountains
D. Georgiev, personal
communication (2010)
3 Tourism and population
growth
Construction of houses and
facilities
moderately known Weekend houses on slopes E of
Ohrid town
This study
Speed boats water scooters
etc.
less known Disturbance of spawning grounds
of cyprinid fishes
Z. Spirkovski, personal
communication (2010)
Pollution well-known Bacterial pollution in front
of Pogradec
Avramoski et al. (2006)
4 Non-indigenous species Competition for native
species
less known Rainbow trout as competitor for
Ohrid trout
Community changes less known Elodea canadensis in
macrophytic communities
5 Habitat alteration or loss Destruction coastal habitat well-known Wetland loss (e.g., Studencisko
blato)
Fragmentation of macro-
phytic littoral communities
moderately known Macrophyte belt near
Pestani/Trpejca
Trajanovska (2009)
Spring conversion and
capture in Ohrid basin
moderately known Sum Spring, partly
Tusemisht/Zagorican complex
This study
Spring destruction well-known Destruction Bej Bunar
spring/Ohrid town
This study
Eutrophication well-known Changing microfilm and algae
communities on rocky shores
This study
6 Unsustainable
exploitation of fisheries
Overfishing well-known Illegal fish catch UNESCO ROSTE (2004)
Release of non-native fish well-known Seven species of non-native fish Talevski et al. (2010)
7 Global change Increasing average
temperatures
less known Amplification of eutrophication
with subsequent anoxia in many
parts of the lake
Matzinger et al. (2007)
of Ohrid and Struga. Particularly the Albanian side has seen a
rapid expansion of permanently inhabited settlements, and an
explosion of the population living in Pogradec after the for-
mer communist system collapsed (GEF, 1997). Since then,
bacterial pollution has increased tremendously in this area
(Watzin et al., 2002). These developments are not controlled
by any western European standards and many impacts on
the lake ecosystem will only become evident at a later date.
Slopes in the catchment area have become densely populated
as well, which undoubtedly will affect the hydrological con-
ditions. More importantly, even pristine coastal areas, which
are highly sensitive and of great importance for point en-
demic species (Hauffe et al., 2010), are increasingly under
pressure due to the construction of (often illegal) houses and
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4006 G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure
Fig. 3. Conservation areas in the transboundary Ohrid Prespa lakes
region. Within Galicica National Park, strictly protected zones are
shown only (Veli Dab area and Sv. Naum at Lake Ohrid). Note that
the Pelister National Park (Macedonia) has been omitted.
boat facilities. Unfortunately, the immediate effects of the
latter threats are not easy to estimate. However, given the
experience from other lakes worldwide, one would expect
multi-fold negative impacts.
Another major problem is increasing boat traffic, which
allows people to readily reach the even most remote parts of
the lake. Waves from speed boats and water scooters, for ex-
ample, are known to be destructive to littoral communities
and even adjacent wetland ecosystems (e.g., Schmieder and
Pier, 2000). These waves are caused in addition to natural
waves and are concentrated in the summer times (touristic
season), when natural waves are rather moderate. Distur-
bances affect the return of the spawning fishes to their nat-
ural and long existing spawning grounds and, at the same
time, decrease the number of potential spawners and the ex-
tent of existing spawning areas. This is very important for
endemic cyprinid fish species, which spawn at exactly the
same time as when there are maximum numbers of tourists
in these areas (Spirkovski and Ilic-Boeva, 2004). Noise emis-
sions certainly impact breeding birds and spawning shallow
water fishes. In addition to noise emission resulting from
sport boating there is also a permanent danger of pollution.
Regulations concerning private boat traffic do not yet exist
(Fig. 2b).
2.4 Non-indigenous species
Non-indigenous species become more important in ancient
lake ecosystems, particularly with ongoing human distur-
bance (Stift et al., 2004; Albrecht et al., 2009b; Heiler et
al., 2010). In Lake Ohrid, exotic fishes like the rainbow trout
and the silver carp have been introduced decades ago (Ser-
afimova, 1985) and at least seven such species can be found
today (Talevskiet al., 2010). The rainbowtrout is a particular
concern, since it might be able to displace the native Ohrid
trout. The impact of these and other fish species introduc-
tions have not been studied adequately. Therefore the intro-
duction of fish diseases cannot be ruled out. Changes in zoo-
plankton communities are evident with recent invasions of
crustacean species such as Diaphanosoma brachiurum and
Leptodora kintii, which prefer warmer water bodies. This
could potentially be related to an increasing average water
temperature in Lake Ohrid (Kostoski et al., 2004).
The lake has also witnessed the introduction of non-
indigenous macrophytes such as Elodea canadensis as early
as 1957 (Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning,
2003). The introduction took place via the Studencista Canal
close to Biljanini Spring. After a short period, this species
was reported in the Sveti Naum and Sum springs and along
the River Drim. Interestingly, this notorious pest species
has not been recorded recently (S. Trajanovska, unpublished
data, 2009).
In general, Lake Ohrid appears to harbour far fewer inva-
sive species than other Balkan Lakes (Albrecht et al., 2009a).
It is, however, obviousthat highly impacted littoral parts such
as the Ohrid Bay or areas near the Lin Peninsula have lately
become home to several non-indigenous gastropod species
(Albrecht et al., 2010
1
). The number of observations of non-
indigenous species will probably rise inthe coming years and
such species should be carefully monitored (e.g., Wilke et al.,
2010).
2.5 Habitat modification
The significant alteration or evenloss of habitats as one of the
best understood conservation concerns is an ongoing prob-
lem in and around Lake Ohrid, mainly associated with ex-
pansion of settlements around the major towns Ohrid, Struga,
and Pogradec (Fig. 1). It is among the most studied and best
understood concerns (Table 2). The construction of build-
ing, boating facilities (often concrete constructions), beaches
and other touristic facilities is a major factor in this context,
but also private weekend houses have directly contributed to
the alteration of mainly coastal habitats (see above; also see
Fig. 2l). Some of these coastal habitats have been destroyed
(Fig. 2e) and the reed belts adjacent to the lake have become
severely reduced. Unique macrophyte communities around
Lake Ohrid have been altered byshoreline manipulations and
1
Albrecht, C., Hauffe, T., Schreiber, K., and Wilke, T.: unpub-
lished data, 2010.
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G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure 4007
nutrient enrichment (Watzin et al., 2002). Changes, fragmen-
tation and complete destruction of macrophyte associates are
evident in several parts of the lake (Trajanovska, 2009). As
a result of this negative influence, new macrophyte associa-
tions develop in some locations (e.g., near Trpejca and Pes-
tani), and fish spawninggrounds in these regions may convert
from salmonid into cyprinid spawning grounds (Spirkovski
and Ilic-Boeva, 2004).
Adjacent wetland habitat destruction is particularly obvi-
ous in the northwestern (Strusko pole) and northeastern re-
gion (Studencisko blato, southeast of Ohrid town). Due to
the intensive conversion of wetlands into agricultural areas,
melioration, and soil sealing, the terrain has been drained.
Moreover, the destruction of the wetland Studencisko blato
caused a decrease of the distribution range of some relic wet-
land plant associations, which have now become strictly lim-
ited to a few small parts of Studencisko blato (Ministry of
Environment and Physical Planning, 2003).
Many of the karstic springs in the basin have been tapped
for drinking water like the Sum Spring north of Lake Ohrid.
Other springs like Bej Bunar northwest of Ohrid town, which
is the type locality of an endemic spring snail taxon, have
recently been destroyed completely by road construction
(Fig. 2d).
Processes like eutrophication more indirectly contribute
to the alteration of habitat through, for example, changes
in the microfilm and algae communities on rocky substrate
(Fig. 2i). Many of those changes happen over long periods
(cf. Matter et al., 2010; Wagner et al., 2010) and are difficult
to trace since most often data on the former states of habi-
tat are not available. In deeper habitats like the sublittoral
or even the profundal, technical difficulties have hampered a
comprehensive monitoring of such potential changes.
2.6 Unsustainable fisheries
A major impact for the ecosystem has been overfishing par-
ticularly of the Ohrid trout (Salmo letnica) but also the
belvica (Salmo ohridana). There are still no control mea-
sures on the Albanian side and illegal fishing on the Mace-
donian side prevails (Fig. 2c). Erroneous management and
stocking practices have also impacted the population struc-
ture of the Ohrid trout (Szymanczak et al., 2009). A ma-
jor decline in fish catch has been stated not only for these
salmonids but also for carp and bleak. An association for
Fishery Management has been established in Pogradec only
in 2002 (UNESCO ROSTE, 2004).
The golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita)
seems to have become a further threat to the native Ohrid
trout since it was found in the fish catch both in the lake and
in the springs of Sv. Naum (Z. Spirkovski, personal commu-
nication, 2010).
2.7 Climate change
Climate change appears to be the threat that is most diffi-
cult to assess and least understood. However, evidence has
been accumulated for a causal link of species extinctions
and re-current climate changes (e.g., Thomas, C. D. et al.,
2004; Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity,
2009). Monitoring results into both the limnological charac-
teristics as well as correlated faunal change accumulated cir-
cumstantial evidence for changing ecological conditions in
Lake Ohrid that might at least partly be attributed to global
warming (Mankolli and Peculi, 2010).
Valuable studies in this context have been conducted by
the EAWAG, Switzerland that addressed the sensitivity of
Lake Ohrid to global warming (Matzinger et al., 2007).
These studies revealed that global warming amplifies the
detrimental effects of increased nutrient inputs into Lake
Ohrid (see above). Subtle effects of decreased vertical mix-
ing and less frequent complete deep convections potentially
caused by global warming have been demonstrated for the
sensitive hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen (see also Vogel et
al., 2010a). Eutrophication also amplifies this effect and
anoxia has been predicted by the end of the century if phos-
phorus load remains constant and warming predictions hold
true (Matzinger et al., 2007).
2.8 Other threats
There are other threats to the lake on various scales like acid
rainfall, ash pollution from households and industrial plants,
and runoff from nearby roads (Fig. 2e). Traffic jams along
the coastal roads increase the emission of car gasses and rep-
resent a risk factor for the lake due to runoff of heavy metals,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and oil. Sealing of open
soil along the shoreline for various construction activities
may foster runoff processes into the lake. These threats will
likely increase in the near future. There are unpredictable
threats such as a major boat accident with subsequent pollu-
tion (as has happened in 2009). Boat accidents might be very
important, e.g., for restricted endemic species.
2.9 Status quo and future of Lake Ohrid and its biota
Based on the IUCN threat classification scheme, key threats,
current impact and expected future (mid-term) importance in
the Ohrid basin were determined. Of the 11 threat classes
scored (Table 1), only geological events are currently scored
with an impact value of 0. Five threat classes have on av-
erage slight impact (1) and five classes have moderate im-
pact (2). These latter threat classes are residential & com-
mercial development, agriculture & aquaculture, natural sys-
tem modifications, pollution, and climate change & severe
weather. Note that some of the threat classes with a current
average impact score of only 1 or 2 may still contain singu-
lar or multiple threats with severe impacts (8 of the 11 threat
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4008 G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure
classes, see Table 1). The level of knowledge regarding these
threats varies and is thus subjectively estimated according to
the general methodological approach outlined above. Table 2
lists examples of threats related to the major conservation
concerns previously discussed.
Given the variety of threats Lake Ohrid is facing, their
complex interaction, and temporal and spatial explicit na-
ture, consequences for ecosystems and biota are difficult to
assess. Some consequences are subtle, others are subject to
a time lapse, yet others are already observable. Among the
latter, habitat destruction, decline of populations, and shifts
in species composition are the most obvious. It should, how-
ever, be noted that some of these effects have been visible
for decades. Changes in the abundance of major macro-
zoobenthic taxa as a result of environmental change, for ex-
ample, was already observed 35 years ago (Tocko and Sap-
karev, 1978) and continues to occur (Trajanovski, 2005).
The general benthic composition in the profundal of the lake
has changed and the depth range of the Dreissena beds has
shrunk (Trajanovski, 2005).
Benthic algal blooms and related increases in opportunis-
tic algal-feeding minnow populations were reported as early
as 1978 (Taylor and Gerking, 1978). The fish community of
Lake Ohrid has changed significantly (e.g., Talevski et al.,
2010), consequences for the ecosystem integrity are not yet
studied. The alteration of the traditional spawning grounds
due to Phragmites belt reductions and alteration of adja-
cent wetland habitats are of importance for many native fish
species in the lake.
In contrast, species loss is difficult to prove, but evi-
dence exist that shows that some profundal gastropod species
have become extremely rare (Hauffe et al., 2010). Decline
of populations has been recognized from long-term studies
on biomass distributions of major macrozoobenthic groups
(Trajanovski and Budzakoska, 2002). A comparative study
on the present status of the charophyte flora has shown that 5
species described in 1936 were not registered during recent
extensive investigations (Trajanovska, 2009). The decline in
water quality around the tributary mouths and heavily pop-
ulated littoral areas has been recorded by the HBI monitor-
ing program (Jordanoski et al., 2004; Lokoska et al., 2004).
Signs of eutrophication are already obvious, demonstrated by
increased algal covers of littoral karstic rocks, even in remote
parts of the lakes (Fig. 2i). The complex interplay of dis-
solved oxygen content and increased phosphorus loads has
been described (Matzinger et al., 2007).
Rapidly increasing habitat alterations will further reduce
suitable habitats for endemic organisms that are partly re-
stricted to very small areas within the lake. Moreover, the
number of non-indigenous and eventually invasive species
will likely rise in the upcoming years. This can in part be
related to direct human activities (see Sect. 1).
Overall, it is clear from the above assessment that Lake
Ohrid is currently facing both an ecosystem and a creeping
biodiversity crisis. This is complicated by the complex set-
ting and limnological features of the lake‘s basin and the con-
siderable delay of effects of impacts on the ecosystem. The
outlined conservation concerns together with proven and pre-
dicted consequences have led to a variety of activities that
aim at protecting Lake Ohrid and its biota.
3 Activities concerning Lake Ohrid protection
3.1 Institutional responsibilities
A number of institutions at Lake Ohrid are concerned with
conservation issues. In Macedonia, there are several min-
istries responsible for protection of biodiversity and environ-
ment. The Ministry for Environment and Physical Planning
hosts a local unit for the protection of Lake Ohrid (now Bilat-
eral Board for protection of Lake Ohrid), which manages the
realization of the projects for the protection of Lake Ohrid
and its watershed. The National Park authorities of the Gali-
cica Park act on the behalf of the Ministry of Environment
and Physical Planning.
The Hydrobiological Institute Ohrid (HBI) belongs to the
Ministry of Education and Sciences and is accredited to mon-
itor the state of the lakes in Macedonia as well as their biodi-
versity, water quality and the changes in the ecosystems. Lo-
cal governmental environmental protection is carried out by
local authorities of the Ministry of Environment and Physical
Planning.
In Albania, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Wa-
ter Administration is responsible for environmental protec-
tion measures and acts through various directorates. The
ministry cooperates with other ministries on issues related
to nature conservation (Strauss and Pezold, 2009). No lo-
cal institute exists at present on the Albanian side of Lake
Ohrid but a new monitoring lab has been established recently.
However, most responsible authorities are exclusively based
in Tirana.
Legislation concerning conservation and management of
natural resources in both countries has been summarized
elsewhere (e.g., Watzin et al., 2002; Faloutsos et al., 2006;
Strauss and Pezold, 2009).
Major transboundary cooperation on Lake Ohrid conser-
vation issues began in 1998 with the Lake Ohrid Conserva-
tion Project (LOCP) (see also Sect. 3.4). The Lake Ohrid
Management Board (LOMB) was formed after the signing
of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Gov-
ernments of Albania and Macedonia in 1996. The “Agree-
ment of the Protection and Sustainable Development of Lake
Ohrid and its Watershed” between Albania and Macedonia
was signed on 17 June 2004 and ratified in 2005 (Faloutsos
et al., 2006). This resulted in founding of the Lake Ohrid
Watershed Committee (LOWC) with legal authority over the
entire Lake Ohrid watershed, i.e. in both countries. The
LOWC-secretariat began to work in May 2006 in Ohrid. It
provides general support to the LOWC and members from
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G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure 4009
both countries (Faloutsos et al., 2006). The bilateral secre-
tariat is one of the organizations concerned with the Strategic
Action Plan for management of the Lake Ohrid watershed. It
was established in 2008 but is not yet implemented due to fi-
nancial issues (D. Panovski, personal communication, 2010).
The bilateral secretariat is responsible for ensuring the imple-
mentation of the major goals of the bilateral “Agreement on
Protection and Sustainable Development of Lake Ohrid and
its Watershed”.
Apart from these official authorities, local non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Macedonian
Limnological Society are concerned with conservation at
Lake Ohrid and have been actively involved in the LOCP.
“The Green Center” was established in Pogradec, as a centre
for coordinating all local NGOs at Lake Ohrid. Initially
there were 31 NGOs with 700 members. So far, the number
of NGOs has increased to 67 with 2200 members (Panovski
and Kekenovski, 2002). The main sources of financing are
national budget (grants), membership fees and international
grants.
3.2 Environmental monitoring and ecosystem
management
Macedonia initiated measures to abate the environmental
degradation of the lake in the 1980s. Along with these initia-
tives, legislative regulations have led to a national strategy of
permanent environmental monitoring of Lake Ohrid, carried
out by the HBI.
Of special concern is sewage treatment. Wastewater is
pumped along the shore through a 25.4 km long collector
system into a plant near Struga from where it is discharged
into the River Crni Drim. Lack of funding suspended the
construction of the collecting system in the late 1980s (GEF,
1997). In two additional construction phases, 44 km of sew-
ers, which will treat most of the shoreline on the Macedo-
nian side of the lake, will be added to the system (UNESCO
ROSTE, 2004).
A General Management Plan for the Ohrid and Prespa re-
gion was prepared by the UNESCO Commission in collabo-
ration with the Ministry of Environment and Physical Plan-
ning Skopje. The plan passed the governmental procedures
and was ratified by parliament.
There is also progress on the Albanian side, for example,
a new sewage treatment system has been installed for parts
of Pogradec and the surrounding settlements. Less progress
has been achieved by the LOCP in the context of establishing
sustainable agricultural and forestry practices.
3.3 Parks and reserves
On the Macedonian side, UNESCO declared Lake Ohrid and
the surrounding area as “Natural and Cultural Heritage of
the Ohrid region” in 1979/1980 (Fig. 3). This has been a
major step towards international and national recognition of
the natural treasures of Lake Ohrid. It is planned to extent
this to the whole lake watershed (Faloutsos et al., 2006).
The National Park Galicica was declared in 1958 and cov-
ers an area of 25000ha. The park is subdivided in 3 dif-
ferent zones, i.e. strictly protected, tourism recreational, and
commercial zones (Fig. 2k). The shoreline cliffs and rocks
between Gradishte and Lubanishta on Lake Ohrid as well as
the Sv. Naum spring complex are strictly protected (Fig. 3).
However, the lake water bodies currently do not belong to the
National Park. The National Park opened a modern informa-
tion center quite recently (November 2009).
Another national park, the transboundary Prespa Park was
established in February 2000, in Aghios Germanos, Greece
(Fig. 3). It covers both Prespa lake basins and thus is also
significant for Lake Ohrid, given the tight hydrological con-
nection between the two lake systems. The idea of creating
a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was implemented in the bi-
lateral agreement signed in 2004. Major reservations against
the scheme, however, exist, mainly on the Greek side (UN-
ESCO ROSTE, 2004).
3.4 Biodiversity and species measures
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was ratified
in 1998 whilst Albania accessed in 1994. The status of var-
ious international environmental agreements in Albania and
Macedonia is summarized in Faloutsos et al. (2006).
A first national study on the biodiversity of Macedonia
(First national report) was published in 2003 (Ministry of
Environment and Physical Planning, 2003). This report com-
prehensively lists organisms occurring in Macedonia and
also includes the Lake Ohrid flora and fauna. Red listings
are planned for various taxa, but only preliminary data sets
exist for a few selected taxa.
There are conservation activities for particular Lake Ohrid
species, most notably for fish. A fishing ban has been in place
in Macedonia since 2004 and until 2014 (fishery law, article
24). Since 2003, the state law on fisheries in Albania prohibit
fishing during the spawning period only, i.e. no restrictions
exist for the rest of the year on the Albanian side of Lake
Ohrid (Z. Spirkovski, personal communication, 2010).
Major efforts aim at spawning Ohrid trout at the HBI
Ohrid (financed by the Agriculture Ministry). One of the
major goals is to yield sustainable populations in the lake
(Fig. 2j). According to a recent conservation assessment of
the native fish fauna (with a total of 20 species) using IUCN
criteria, 1 species is critically endangered, 5 species are en-
dangered and 4 species are vulnerable (Talevski et al., 2010).
Species recovery activities for particular species in Lake
Ohrid have been occasionally carried out or planned. One
such example is the habitat revitalization of the endangered
yellow water lily (Nuphar lutea) in Lake Ohrid, financed by
the UNDP and carried out by the Macedonian Limnological
Society from 2006 to 2008.
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4010 G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure
3.5 International activities
There are international activities concerned with conserva-
tion issues, the most outstanding and influential of which
has been the bilateral Lake Ohrid Conservation (LOCP) GEF
Project (Albania/Macedonia). The World Bank financed the
Lake Ohrid management project from 1999–2004 with US
$4.4 Mio. The Swiss government and the German KfW Bank
have also been involved (UNESCO ROSTE, 2004). Smaller
projects are concerned with particular management and mon-
itoring issues in the transboundary watersheds of Macedonia,
Albania and Montenegro. An example is the preparation of
the EU Water Directive for the lake. Developing biologi-
cal tools for monitoring of Lake Ohrid according to the Eu-
ropean Waterframe Directive (EWFD) is a trilateral project
(2009–2011) of partners from Albania, Macedonia and Nor-
way, intending to establish permanent monitoring of Lake
Ohrid according to the EWFD. Other such projects have in-
cluded the DRIMPOL Project (2003–2005) and the DRI-
MON Project (2006–2009).
Further EU conservation programs are not yet imple-
mented, for example, within the Natura 2000 network (Emer-
ald network in non-EU countries). National initiatives, how-
ever, exist in both Albania and Macedonia.
IUCN Red Listings are available for Lake Ohrid fishes
(Kottelat and Freyhof, 2007) and charophytes (Trajanovska,
2009). According to the latter author, 13% of the total 15
Charophyta species are considered critically endangered, 7%
are endangered, 27% are in the vulnerable group, 13% are
data deficient, while most of the species (40%) belong to the
low risk group. For other taxa, in particular endemic inverte-
brates, such assessments do not currently exist. For molluscs,
however, anassessment was released (Albrecht et al., 2010
2
).
3.6 Research on conservation and raising of public
awareness
There is currently little research devoted to conservation at
Lake Ohrid. Notable exceptions include the spawning and re-
lease program for the Ohrid trout (Spirkovski and Ilic-Boeva,
2004). There is lack of knowledge of ecology and distri-
bution as well as current population states for basically all
invertebrates. Molluscs might be a notable exception (e.g.,
Hauffe et al., 2010). Research into protection strategies for
particular habitat types and vulnerable species is required.
Far more research should be conducted regarding the impact
of climate change on the ecosystem, species communities
and single species.
Research in sustainable agriculture, forestry, and tourism
is currently either underrepresented or non-existent. How-
ever, the need for ecotourism in the Ohrid Prespa region has
been proposed several times (e.g., Grazhdani, 2010).
2
Albrecht, C., Hauffe, T., and Schreiber, K.: unpublished data,
2010.
An international symposium on the protection of natural
lakes in Macedonia highlighted the urgency of coordinated
conservationmeasures for Lake Ohrid (Guseska etal., 2007).
It is well known to officials that conservation efforts can only
be successful when local people are involved and are aware
of the natural treasures of their home region. The environ-
mental issues of Lake Ohrid thus are regularly covered by
local and regional media. Local schools regularly undertake
excursions and perform dedicated projects in order to raise
awareness among pupils (D. Georgiev, personal communica-
tion, 2010). Several websites nowadays inform about envi-
ronmental issues at Lake Ohrid. The Museum of Struga –
Nikola Nezlobinski – has a biological department and an ex-
hibition on Lake Ohrids nature. However, since Ohrid town
lacks a similar institution, the establishment of a permanent
public museum devoted to Lake Ohrid is under considera-
tion. An agreement between the Lake Biwa Museum (LBM)
and the HBI Ohrid to be signed in summer 2010 represents
an initial step towards the establishment of such a museum.
Increasing the public awareness was the 4th component
of the Lake Ohrid Conservation Project. Public involvement
was achieved through contracts with the NGOs of both coun-
tries. Increased public awareness resulted, for example, in
the establishment of the “Green Center” in Pogradec or the
adoption of the 21 June as “Day of Lake Ohrid” (Faloutsos
et al., 2006).
3.7 Conservation needs and challenges to conservation
efforts
Major bilateral efforts, internationally funded like the Lake
Ohrid Conservation Project (LOCP), have attempted to stabi-
lize and even improve the situation of Lake Ohrid. Whereas
these efforts are, without doubt, necessary to protect one of
the greatest treasures of Lake Ohrid – its unique biodiversity
– they may not be sufficient to halt the creeping biodiversity
crisis in the lake. The principal problem of, for example, en-
demic invertebrate taxa in Lake Ohrid is that many of them
are restricted to small areas within the lake basin. Ongoing
surveys of the benthic invertebrate faunas in the Ohrid basin
have identified several so-called biodiversity hotspots. One
of the most important ones is situated along the karstic east-
ern shore of the lake – Veli Dab (Albrecht and Wilke, 2008;
Hauffe et al., 2010). Other hotspots are, e.g., the littoral near
Sveti Zaum, the feeder spring complex at Sveti Naum and its
sister complex Tushemisht/Zagorican in Albania (Albrecht
and Wilke, 2008).
Whereas anthropogenic effects are noticeable all around
the lake, human impact on these biodiversity hotspots could
have grave consequences. A destruction of, e.g., habitats
around Veli Dab could lead to a permanent loss of >10%
of the lake’s biodiversity (Wilke and Albrecht, 2007). It is
therefore advisable to concentrate on habitat related conser-
vation activities when long-term survival of endemic biodi-
versity is targeted.
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G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure 4011
Table 3. Conservation concerns and associated major threats as well as suggested conservation and research needs for Lake Ohrid. Note
that the suggested conservation measures and research needs are only examples of the most obvious needs. Most often different needs would
apply for each of the mentioned major threats, which sometimes result from multiple sources. For details on the major threats identified for
each concern, refer to Table 2.
Conservation concern Major threats Suggested conservations measures Research needs
1 Watershed impacts Nutrient input Significant reduction of nutrient load Identification of sources and
processes related to nutrient influx
Increased sediment load e.g., re-diversion of Sateska river Monitoring of amount and
fluctuation of sediment loads
Waste water Implementation of effective waste GIS-based water management system
water collection and treatment systems
Metal contamination Stop of any further contamination related Extent and impact of these contaminations
to active and former mining and other industrial facilities
2 Agriculture and Intensified agriculture Extensive agriculture GIS-based land use model of the Ohrid basin
forestry
Irrigation Effective water management plan Implementation of a sustainable agriculture
Logging Sustainable forestry Sustainable forestry plan
Water abstraction Reduction of water abstraction Modelling water balance of the whole watershed
(particularly in the Prespa basin)
Fire events Reduction of the frequency of fire events Impact of fire events on the terrestrial
and aquatic ecosystems of the Ohrid basin
3 Tourism and Construction of houses Strict regulations and enforcement, establishment Monitoring, impact studies
population growth and facilities of Coastal Zone Management areas (CZM) and of
Core Conservation areas (CCA)
Speed boats Partial ban, regulation of any traffic, Impact studies
water scooters etc. allowance of electro engines only
Pollution Implementation of effective waste water Fine-scaled identification and monitoring
collection treatment systems of all sources for pollution
4 Non-indigenous Competition for native species Stop intentional introductions, Monitoring, fine-scaled ecological studies
species stricter control system for fishing activities
Community changes Establishment of Coastal Zone Management areas (CZM) Surveys, fine-scaled ecological studies
and of Core Conservation areas (CCA)
5 Habitat alteration Destruction coastal habitat Stop of any new construction along pristine shorelines, Restoration ecology studies, fines-scaled mapping
or loss restoration of habitats such as former adjacent wetlands using satellite and remote sensing approaches
Fragmentation of macrophytic Establishment of Coastal Zone Management areas (CZM) Conservation area science,
littoral communities and of Core Conservation areas (CCA) GIS-based landscape ecological studies
Spring conversion and Restoration of captured springs, strict prohibition Fine-scaled ecological studies, spring monitoring
capture in Ohrid Basin of further spring use, conversion or capture
Eutrophication Reduction of pollution, particularly with phosphorus, Monitoring, modelling
water management system (including Prespa basin)
6 Unsustainable Overfishing and release stricter control and enforcement system Monitoring
exploitation of fisheries of non-native fish for fishing activities and aqua-cultures
7 Global change Increasing average temperatures Reduction of climate relevant emissions Climate impact studies
Each of the identified conservation concerns and the
associated major threats require particular conservation
measures. Given the uncertainty of some of the threats and
the restricted knowledge on the complex system and the in-
terplay of the many threats identified, several different strate-
gies are necessary in order to halt or improve the conditions
at Lake Ohrid. Some suggested conservation and research
needs for Lake Ohrid are listed in Table 3. Most often dif-
ferent needs would apply for each of the mentioned major
threats, which sometimes result from multiple sources. For
details on the major threats identified for each concern see
Table 2.
It is important to recognize that Lake Ohrid has experi-
enced major natural environmental changes and fluctuations
throughout its history (e.g., Wagner et al., 2008, 2010; Lind-
horst et al., 2010; Vogel et al., 2010b). The magnitude of
anthropogenic impact seen in the past years (Vogel et al.,
2010a), however, evidently presents a challenging situation
for any conservation effort. The complex hydrological set-
ting of Lake Ohrid, such as the long residence time of waters
(ca. 70 years, Watzin et al., 2002) and the related response
time lag, needs to be considered in an ecosystem-based con-
servation strategy.
www.biogeosciences.net/7/3999/2010/ Biogeosciences, 7, 3999–4015, 2010
4012 G. Kostoski et al.: A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure
4 Conclusions
Given the number of identified threats to Lake Ohrid, it is
clear that only concerted international action can stop or at
least slow down further degradation of Lake Ohrid and the
creeping biodiversity crisis already evident. Multilateral con-
servation planning (concerted action plans-CAPs) is neces-
sary. A comprehensive conservation strategy should include
measures that result in an immediate reduction of pollution,
particularly with phosphorus, in order to slow down the on-
going eutrophication process. A major task is, for example,
to re-divert the Sateska River. Overfishing and habitat de-
struction are other major threats that are well known to have
a high impact and urge for immediate regulations. Further-
more, both agriculture and forestry should become sustain-
able in the whole watershed. The existing watershed man-
agement should become more effective.
Implementation, particularly with a view to the enforce-
ment of national laws in Albania and Macedonia, should be
enhanced. Envisioning the future integration of both Albania
and Macedonia in the European Union, implementation of
EU conservation law and strategies such as NATURA 2000
should be prepared. IUCN red listing of the endemic species
of Lake Ohrid should continue to be carried out.
Increased research on the lake‘s limnology, biodiversity,
and conservation management practices are necessary. The
latter research field should identify conservation priorities.
Given the importance of Lake Ohrid as a tourist destination,
a sustainable development of tourism (e.g., a ban on private
powerboats and jet skies, restrictions on import and export of
species) is important. Public awareness should be enhanced,
including the establishment of a central museum highlighting
the importance of Lake Ohrid.
Studies on the least understood but potentially high im-
pact threats such as climate change, pollution with hazardous
substances or the role of non-native species are particularly
needed. Generally, collaborative scientific studies on ecol-
ogy, biodiversity and effects of human impact on the whole
ecosystem are necessary to enhance the understanding of on-
going processes. This would allow to base any conservation
decision on more sound scientific grounds.
Facing the outlined parallel needs to protect the unique
biodiversity of Lake Ohrid, we suggest urging (a) implemen-
tation and enforcement of the General Management Plan that
would ensure long-term integrated and sustainable use of the
lake and its watershed, (b) the establishment of Core Con-
servation areas (CCA), i.e., official reserves with the highest
conservation priority, including underwater reserves, and (c)
Coastal Zone Management (CZM) areas that would consti-
tute buffer zones for the CCA around the lake.
These activities should, among others, ultimately lead to a
trans-boundary major conservation area of the Ohrid-Prespa
region that would allow long-term integration of both hu-
mans and nature. Such a visionary project could eventu-
ally lead to the establishment of a trilateral UNESCO Ohrid-
Prespa region Biosphere Reserve.
Acknowledgements. D. Panovski provided information about the
LOCP, Z. Spirkovski about fish issues and Z. Angeloski and A. Bo-
jadzi on NP Galicica. Sincere thanks are given to them all.
We particularly thank our dedicated and enthusiastic students and
particularly T. Hauffe and K. Schreiber for intense discussions on
Lake Ohrid conservation issues. Special thanks go to D. Georgiev
for providing valuable background information and Fig. 2b, e, g,
h. Colleagues from the HBI have continuously supported our joint
efforts in various ways and are here particularly thanked for their
support.
CA and TW also wish to thank the German Science Foundation
DFG for funding their Lake Ohrid studies (grants AL 1076/3-1 and
WI 1902/8-1).
Edited by: B. Wagner
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