547Scientific Area E • Plant and habitat conservation

The bryoflora of Albania: chorology, conservation issues

Carmine Colacino

Laboratorio di Briologia, Dipartimento di Biologia, difesa e biotecnologie agroforestali, Università della Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italia, e-mail: carmine.colacino@unibas.it

Abstract. Albania represents one of the less studied areas in Europe, as far as bryophytes are concerned. The first check-list for the bryoflora of this country has been published recently. Albanian bryoflora consists of 327 taxa (3 hornworts, 86 liverworts, and 238 mosses), even though more are certainly present. In this paper a preliminary report on the characteristics of this bryoflora is presented. Temperate species appears to be the most important eco-chorological type (28.75 %), followed by boreal and subboreal types (22.94 %). Other types dominate particular areas. This is in accord with one previous study based only on liverworts. Possible environmental threats due to fast economic growth and conservation issues are eventually considered, also in relation to a possible use of bryophytes in biomonitoring.

Key words: Albania, bryophytes, chorology, conservation, liverworts, mosses

Introduction

Albania represents one of the less known areas in Eu-rope, as far as bryophytes are concerned (ECCB 1995). Even though distributional studies were recognized as a priority by the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Albania (Bego & Koni 1999), in the case of bryo-phytes these have been hampered so far by the lack of a resident bryologist. Only very recently a check-list for this country has been prepared (Colacino & Sabovljević 2006). This check-list will be also avail-able, in the near future, on a dedicated website (www.bryology.eu). The Albanian bryoflora consists of 327 taxa (3 hornworts, 86 liverworts, and 238 mosses) re-presenting 308 species, 141 genera and 62 families. The actual number is likely to be higher given the morpho-logical and climatic diversity of the country (for a brief outline of Albania's geography, climate, soils, flora, etc. see Colacino 2004). This is reflected also in its floristic diversity (3250 species of vascular plants on a surface of 28 748 km2). Albanian vascular flora is character-ised by a strong Balkan and Mediterranean character (25 % and 24 % of total flora, respectively. See Bego & Koni 1999; Vangjeli 2002). About 3.8 % of this flora is threatened based on red-list data (Colacino 2004, based on data from Vangjeli & al. 1995). In the case of bryophytes it is still too early for a red-list, as more in-

ventory and mapping work are necessary, some con-siderations on conservation issues, however, are brief-ly discussed. The present, fast, economic development Albania is undergoing, is causing some problems in the management of natural resources and in the con-trol of environmental pollution. Some of these prob-lems will be briefly outlined also. The possible use of bryophytes in biomonitoring is also proposed.

MethodsIn this paper a preliminary analysis of some of the cha-racteristics of the Albanian bryoflora is presented. This is based on the check-list by Colacino & Sabovljević (2006), based on literature reports. The eco-choro-logical types of Düll (1983, 1984, 1985, 1992) have been used. The problems in using this type of data are known: areas are not well defined, nor their lim-its are indicated, as correctly outlined by Schumacker (1988). In any case, they are the only ones available for the whole of Europe, and their widespread use makes possible the comparison of different areas. A choro-logical spectrum for the whole of Albania is presented, and in addition, some areas within that country will be compared to the bryoflora of Italian Regions (Alef-fi & Cortini-Pedrotti 2002). In this comparisons, gi-ven the preliminary nature of this analysis, only some

548 Plant, fungal and habitat diversity investigation and conservation • Proceedings of IV BBC – Sofia ' 2006

Fig. 1. Chorological analysis of Albanian bryoflora based on the check-list by Colacino & Sabovljević (2006).

areas (Shkodra, Tirana, Vlora, Korça) and chorologi-cal types will be considered: (sub)arctic-(sub)alpine, (sub)boreal, (sub)Mediterranean, and (sub)oceanic. In this case, chorological data have been aggregated in classes of frequency (classes indicated in the perti-nent figures). This analysis takes into account some of the physical–geographical and climatic subdivisions of Albania too. Possible species to consider for inclu-sion in a future red-list are indicated based on records from adjacent countries, in particular Montenegro.

ResultsAlbanian bryoflora (Fig. 1) appears to have a preva-lence of temperate types species (28.75 %), which are widely represented in the northern hemisphere, com-pared to 15.2 % for Italy, 17.1 % for Spain, and 23.1 % for Greece (all data for Italy, Spain and Greece – from Cortini-Pedrotti 1996), followed by boreal and sub-boreal types with 22.94 %, and with similar values in the other countries considered (22 % in Italy, 22.5 % in Spain, 23.2 % in Greece).

Among the mountain boreal elements are Lophozia ventricosa (Dicks.) Dumort., collected by Kümmerle in 1916–1917 (Szepesfalvy 1926) on Mt Korabi (Dibra) at 2300 m alt., Anomodon longifolius (Schleich. ex Brid.) Hartm., collected in the Vermosh area (Albanian Alps) at 1100 m alt. by Dörfer in 1914 (Baumgartner 1915). Of particular interest is the presence of just one eu-ocean-ic bryophyte, the moss Rhynchostegium alopecuroides (Brid.) A.J.E. Smith, not present in Italy, and collected by Petrov in 1958 on Mount Ostrovica (Korça) at 1730 m alt. (Petrov 1960). As we can expect, Italy and Greece al-so present a very low percentage of eu-oceanic species (1.8 % and 0.9 %, respectively), while in Spain they arrive at 5.5 %. Another interesting record is Cheilothela chloro-pus (Brid.) Lindb. ex Broth., a disjunctive oceanic-Medi-terranean type moss found in Shkodra (and Dalmatia) by Höhnel in 1885–1891 (Höhnel 1893). Oceanic-Medi-terranean elements mark the transition from Mediterra-nean climate areas to those with a more atlantic influence (Cortini-Pedrotti 1996). The ocea nic elements s.l. (in-cluding suboc, oc-submed, sub oc-submed, and euoc) are 22.95 % in Albania, compared to 30.8 % in Italy, 47.2 % in

549Scientific Area E • Plant and habitat conservation

Spain, and 46.8 % in Greece. Strictly Mediterranean and submediterranean elements are 13.5 % in Albania, 9.5 % in Italy, 9.1 % in Spain, and 12.2 % in Greece. Eventually, the important chorologi cal element of (sub)alpine-(sub)arctic types reaches 6.43 % in Albania, 4.5 % in Greece, 11.6 % in Spain, and 19.6 % in Italy, not surprisingly.

Different areas within Albania will be considered now, as a way to get a more detailed picture of the bryo flora of Albania. These areas will be compared, as an example, to the distribution of the same elements in Italy at the regional level. The data, aggregated in-to classes, have been mapped as a way to allow com-parisons between different areas in the two countries. Only four of the main administrative divisions in Al-bania (Prefectures) will be considered (Shkodra [Scu-tari], Tirana, Korça, and Vlora [Valona]).

In Fig. 2 (sub)arctic-(sub)alpine elements are con-sidered. It has been already noted above that, for the whole of the country, these are relatively less impor-tant. Considering their distribution at the regional level, however, it is possible to observe that at least in one area (Korça) their values are comparable to those of some Italian Regions which include Alpine areas (Piedmont, Lombardy). Among the arctic-alpine ele-ments, Jungermannia polaris Lindb. collected by Petrov

(1960) on Mt Ostrovica (Korça) at 1760–1800 m alt., but also by Bischler & al. (1980) at a much lower alti-tude (200–300 m) in the coastal area of Albania, and Pohlia atropurpurea (Wahlenb.) H. Lindb. collected near Renci (Shkodra) (Höhnel 1893).

In the case of boreal and subboreal elements (22.94 % for Albania, and similar values for Italy, Spain and Greece), their actual distribution is variable, with higher values, among the prefectures considered, in Korça and Shkodra (Fig. 3), and lower values in the southern ones closer to the coast (Vlora) which have values comparable to the lowest in Italy (Basilicata).

The same area, characterised by the lower values for boreal elements (Vlora), has the highest values in Albania for oceanic elements (Fig. 4), values not at-tained anywhere in Italy (at regional level), and closer to those recorded for Greece, for instance.

In the case of the Mediterranean elements (Fig. 5), overall higher in Albania than in Italy, Greece, or Spain, they prevail even more clearly in areas cha-racterised by a more distinct Mediterranean climate (compare to Fig. 6).

This short assessment would not be complete of course without a note on endemic species and on spe-cies of conservation interest. According to ECCB (1995)

Fig. 2. (Sub)arctic-(sub)alpine elements in Italy and Albania. (A – from Aleffi & Cortini-Pedrotti 2002).

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550 Plant, fungal and habitat diversity investigation and conservation • Proceedings of IV BBC – Sofia ' 2006

Fig. 4. (Sub)oceanic elements in Italy and Albania. (C – from Aleffi & Cortini-Pedrotti 2002).

Fig. 3. (Sub)boreal elements in Italy and Albania. (B – from Aleffi & Cortini-Pedrotti 2002).

551Scientific Area E • Plant and habitat conservation

Fig. 5. (Sub)Mediterranean elements in Italy and Albania. (D – from Aleffi & Cortini-Pedrotti 2002).

there are nine bryophyte species of particular conserva-tion interest in Albania; the only locally endemic species, the rare (R) liverwort Frullania illyrica Grolle, is now in-cluded in F. inflata Gottsche, with a wider distribution, and whose status is Vulnerable (V) according to Schu-macker & Váňa (2005). There are four other liverworts, Athalamia spathysii (Lindenb.) S. Hatt., Mannia trian-dra (Scop.) Grolle, Riccia trabutiana Steph., all with the status of rare according to the European Red List, and the insufficiently known (K) Marchantia palacea Ber-tol. (but not threatened – NT, according to Schumacker & Váňa 2005). Among the mosses, Neckera cephalonica Jur. & Unger. (K) (considered an endemic for the Iberi-an Pensinsula, Greece, and Albania), Buxbaumia viridis (Moug. ex Lam. & DC.) Moug. & Nestl. (V), and Tortu-la solmsii (Schimp.) Limpr. (R), the latter collected in Al-bania only once, more than a century ago (Höhnel 1893). The ninth bryophyte species mentioned by ECCB (1995) is Tortula lingulata Lindb. (K), which is known from a single locality that Colacino & Sabovljević (2006) found to be actually outside the present borders of the country (and excluded therefore from the Albanian bryoflora). Other species should be considered also, especially those mentioned in red lists for neighbouring countries, such as Serbia (or better Kosova, when its status will be agreed

on and data will become avail able), Montenegro, Greece, and Macedonia. Data from Montenegro will be consi-dered here as an example (Sabovljević 2004). Among the species considered as critically endangered (CR) in Mon-tenegro (and dwelling also in Albania) there is Buxbau-mia viridis, while Buxbaumia aphylla Hedw. is considered endangered (EN); among those marked as vulnerable (VU) there are Encalipta ciliata Hedw., Pseudoleskea sa-viana (De Not.) Latzel, and Schistidium agassizii Sull. & Lesq. ex Sull. Among the liverworts, the CR Athalamia hyalina (Sommerf.) S. Hatt. and Mannia androgyna (L.) A. Evans, the EN Jungermannia graci llima Sm., the VU Cephaloziella turnerii (Hook.) Müll.Frib., Leiocolea colla-ris (Nees) Schljakov, and L. turbinata (Raddi) H. Buch. Of course, these are merely suggestions, as the inventory and mapping of Albanian bryophytes, as already stated, are to be completed before a red list can be put forward.

The environmental situation in Albania: a few notes

Some industrial plants, built in the 1960s are obso-lete; others have been abandoned in the post-1990 pe-riod. All these have provoked several environmen-tal ha zards (see for instance Bego & Koni 1999, and UNEP 2000) and are threat factors for the flora of the

552 Plant, fungal and habitat diversity investigation and conservation • Proceedings of IV BBC – Sofia ' 2006

Fig. 6. Left: Physical–Geographical Regions: 1, Northern Alps; 2, Central mountain zone; 3, Southern mountain zone; 4, Western coastal plain (from Vangjeli & al. 1997); Right: Climatic Zones: I – Hilly Mediterranean or Central Plateau (Çermënike); II – Mediterranean Pre-Mountain; III – Mediterranean Mountain; IV – Lowland Mediterranean (from Vangjeli & al. 1997. Modif.).

country. Examples are the industrial plants of Elbasan, which affect a large area once used also for agriculture, and two disused and abandoned plants (one of ferti-lizers, the other of chemicals) in an area now dense-ly populated, near Durazzo (Fig. 7) (UNEP 2000). It should be added, however, that the whole of the coun-try does not present a severe case of environmental pollution with the exception of areas like Kukës, Ru-bik, Laç, Elbasan, Tirana, and Vlora. There, emissions of SO2, H2SO4, CO, NH3, NOx, smog, as well as pow-ders are present and no programs are under way to mo nitor the levels of these pollutants.

Bryophytes (and lichens) could be useful (and cost-effective) tools to assess, for instance, air pollution in Albania. It is important also to consider the effect of

these threat factors on habitat loss and degradation; these studies are still quite rare (see Leone & al. 2003, as an example, for the Karavasta Lagoon National Park).

DiscussionAlbanian bryoflora is relatively unknown, even though some areas have been investigated more than others (e.g., Tirana and Shkodra). The eco-chorology of Albanian bryophytes shows a prevalence of tem-perate elements, followed by boreal ones. This is in accord with the only one earlier study, limited to li-verworts, which considered the chorology of Albani-an bryoflora (Bischler & al. 1980), and which found a prevalence of non-Mediterranean elements (58 %

553Scientific Area E • Plant and habitat conservation

Fig. 7. Abandoned Chemical Plant near Durazzo [Durrës] (Aug. 2002) (Photo C. Colacino).

over 59 liverwort species considered), even though it was carried out exclusively in the coastal areas (with Mediterranean type climate) of Albania. A prelimi-nary analysis of some areas within the country shows that the distribution of chorological elements varies widely. Mediterranean types, however, never achieve predominance anywhere (at least at this level of ana-lysis). This ample variation is to be expected given the mountainous nature of the country and its cli-matic, and geomorphological diversity (Fig. 6), as well as because of its floristic diversity (Albania is an important meeting area between the Mediterra-nean, the central European, and the Pontic floristic elements, for vascular plants).

Given the relatively small size of the country, any-way, differences in elevation seem to be the most im-portant factor in determining climatic differences, rather than latitude. The northern Alps, as well as the Korça area to the SE, show a relatively high number of arctic-alpine species, probably of relict nature. The same areas show also the highest concentration of bo-real and subboreal element types, these distributions are linked to the areas with higher elevations. In con-trast, oceanic element types have higher values in cen-tral and coastal areas (Tirana and Vlora). Mediterra-nean element types, finally, seem to come out with higher values to the west side of the country, and low-er values to the east, and their occurrence also is ap-parently linked to differences in elevation. Albania is likely to have a comparatively high taxonomic diver-sity in bryophyte flora, as it is the case for its vascu-lar flora, notwithstanding its small size and extension (about 350 km N–S, and 150 E–W). A more complete

inventory and mapping of the country are needed, however, to demonstrate this feature. Priority should be given to areas characterised by habitat loss and de-gradation (most lowland areas), and to protected areas (Natural Parks, Reserves, etc.). Cooperation with the many and experienced vascular plants botanists of Al-bania is also to be considered to speed up the study of the bryoflora focusing it into the different vegetation types, and within the floristic regions of the country (see Fig. 8), as excellently done, for instance, for the re-cent check-list of Bulgarian liverworts and hornworts (Ganeva & Natcheva 2003). The need for local bryolo-gists is evident, and indeed a young botanist from the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Tira-

na is now been trained in bryology, in coopera-tion with the Laborato-rio di Briologia of the University of Basilicata. The first resident bryo-logist ever for this coun-try. This should allow to progress the inventory, as well as the mapping of Albanian bryoflora, and envisage a possible future use of bryophytes in biomonitoring prog-rams.

Fig. 8. Floristic regions of Albania (P. Hoda pers. com.)

554 Plant, fungal and habitat diversity investigation and conservation • Proceedings of IV BBC – Sofia ' 2006

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