101 Colacino - The bryoflora of Albania.indd

Scientific Area E • Plant and habitat conservation
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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 Europe, 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 bryophytes these have been hampered so far by the lack
of a resident bryologist. Only very recently a checklist for this country has been prepared (Colacino &
Sabovljević 2006). This check-list will be also available, 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) representing 308 species, 141 genera and 62 families. The
actual number is likely to be higher given the morphological 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 characterised 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 considerations on conservation issues, however, are briefly discussed. The present, fast, economic development
Albania is undergoing, is causing some problems in
the management of natural resources and in the control of environmental pollution. Some of these problems will be briefly outlined also. The possible use of
bryophytes in biomonitoring is also proposed.
Methods
In this paper a preliminary analysis of some of the characteristics of the Albanian bryoflora is presented. This
is based on the check-list by Colacino & Sabovljević
(2006), based on literature reports. The eco-chorological 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 limits 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 chorological 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 (Aleffi & Cortini-Pedrotti 2002). In this comparisons, given the preliminary nature of this analysis, only some
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Plant, fungal and habitat diversity investigation and conservation • Proceedings of IV BBC – Sofia ' 2006
areas (Shkodra, Tirana, Vlora, Korça) and chorological 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 pertinent figures). This analysis takes into account some of
the physical–geographical and climatic subdivisions
of Albania too. Possible species to consider for inclusion in a future red-list are indicated based on records
from adjacent countries, in particular Montenegro.
Results
Albanian bryoflora (Fig. 1) appears to have a prevalence of temperate types species (28.75 %), which are
widely represented in the northern hemisphere, compared 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 subboreal 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-oceanic 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 also 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 chloropus (Brid.) Lindb. ex Broth., a disjunctive oceanic-Mediterranean type moss found in Shkodra (and Dalmatia)
by Höhnel in 1885–1891 (Höhnel 1893). Oceanic-Mediterranean elements mark the transition from Mediterranean climate areas to those with a more atlantic influence
(Cortini-Pedrotti 1996). The oceanic elements s.l. (including suboc, oc-submed, suboc-submed, and euoc) are
22.95 % in Albania, compared to 30.8 % in Italy, 47.2 % in
Fig. 1. Chorological analysis of Albanian bryoflora based on the check-list by Colacino & Sabovljević (2006).
Scientific 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 chorological 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
bryoflora 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 into classes, have been mapped as a way to allow comparisons between different areas in the two countries.
Only four of the main administrative divisions in Albania (Prefectures) will be considered (Shkodra [Scutari], Tirana, Korça, and Vlora [Valona]).
In Fig. 2 (sub)arctic-(sub)alpine elements are considered. It has been already noted above that, for the
whole of the country, these are relatively less important. 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 elements, Jungermannia polaris Lindb. collected by Petrov
549
(1960) on Mt Ostrovica (Korça) at 1760–1800 m alt.,
but also by Bischler & al. (1980) at a much lower altitude (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 attained 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 characterised 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 species of conservation interest. According to ECCB (1995)
Fig. 2. (Sub)arctic-(sub)alpine elements in Italy and Albania. (A – from Aleffi & Cortini-Pedrotti 2002).
71 • Proceedings of IV BBC – Sofia ' 2006
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Plant, fungal and habitat diversity investigation and conservation • Proceedings of IV BBC – Sofia ' 2006
Fig. 3. (Sub)boreal elements in Italy and Albania. (B – from Aleffi & Cortini-Pedrotti 2002).
Fig. 4. (Sub)oceanic elements in Italy and Albania. (C – from Aleffi & Cortini-Pedrotti 2002).
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Fig. 5. (Sub)Mediterranean elements in Italy and Albania. (D – from Aleffi & Cortini-Pedrotti 2002).
there are nine bryophyte species of particular conservation interest in Albania; the only locally endemic species,
the rare (R) liverwort Frullania illyrica Grolle, is now included in F. inflata Gottsche, with a wider distribution,
and whose status is Vulnerable (V) according to Schumacker & Váňa (2005). There are four other liverworts,
Athalamia spathysii (Lindenb.) S. Hatt., Mannia triandra (Scop.) Grolle, Riccia trabutiana Steph., all with the
status of rare according to the European Red List, and
the insufficiently known (K) Marchantia palacea Bertol. (but not threatened – NT, according to Schumacker
& Váňa 2005). Among the mosses, Neckera cephalonica
Jur. & Unger. (K) (considered an endemic for the Iberian Pensinsula, Greece, and Albania), Buxbaumia viridis
(Moug. ex Lam. & DC.) Moug. & Nestl. (V), and Tortula solmsii (Schimp.) Limpr. (R), the latter collected in Albania 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 available), Montenegro, Greece,
and Macedonia. Data from Montenegro will be considered here as an example (Sabovljević 2004). Among the
species considered as critically endangered (CR) in Montenegro (and dwelling also in Albania) there is Buxbaumia viridis, while Buxbaumia aphylla Hedw. is considered
endangered (EN); among those marked as vulnerable
(VU) there are Encalipta ciliata Hedw., Pseudoleskea saviana (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 gracillima Sm., the VU
Cephaloziella turnerii (Hook.) Müll.Frib., Leiocolea collaris (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 obsolete; others have been abandoned in the post-1990 period. All these have provoked several environmental hazards (see for instance Bego & Koni 1999, and
UNEP 2000) and are threat factors for the flora of the
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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 fertilizers, the other of chemicals) in an area now densely populated, near Durazzo (Fig. 7) (UNEP 2000). It
should be added, however, that the whole of the country does not present a severe case of environmental
pollution with the exception of areas like Kukës, Rubik, Laç, Elbasan, Tirana, and Vlora. There, emissions
of SO2, H2SO4, CO, NH3, NOx, smog, as well as powders are present and no programs are under way to
monitor the levels of these pollutants.
Bryophytes (and lichens) could be useful (and costeffective) 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).
Discussion
Albanian 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 temperate elements, followed by boreal ones. This is in
accord with the only one earlier study, limited to liverworts, which considered the chorology of Albanian bryoflora (Bischler & al. 1980), and which found
a prevalence of non-Mediterranean elements (58 %
Scientific Area E • Plant and habitat conservation
553
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 preliminary 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 analysis). This ample variation is to be expected given
the mountainous nature of the country and its climatic, and geomorphological diversity (Fig. 6), as
well as because of its floristic diversity (Albania is
an important meeting area between the Mediterranean, the central European, and the Pontic floristic
elements, for vascular plants).
Given the relatively small size of the country, anyway, differences in elevation seem to be the most important 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 boreal and subboreal element types, these distributions
are linked to the areas with higher elevations. In contrast, oceanic element types have higher values in central and coastal areas (Tirana and Vlora). Mediterranean element types, finally, seem to come out with
higher values to the west side of the country, and lower values to the east, and their occurrence also is apparently linked to differences in elevation. Albania is
likely to have a comparatively high taxonomic diversity in bryophyte flora, as it is the case for its vascular 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 degradation (most lowland areas), and to protected areas
(Natural Parks, Reserves, etc.). Cooperation with the
many and experienced vascular plants botanists of Albania 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 recent check-list of Bulgarian liverworts and hornworts
(Ganeva & Natcheva 2003). The need for local bryologists is evident, and indeed a young botanist from the
Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Tirana is now been trained
in bryology, in cooperation with the Laboratorio di Briologia of the
University of Basilicata.
The first resident bryologist ever for this country. 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 programs.
Fig. 8. Floristic regions of
Albania (P. Hoda pers. com.)
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Plant, fungal and habitat diversity investigation and conservation • Proceedings of IV BBC – Sofia ' 2006
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