Prespa: A Global Hotspot of Biodiversity

The basin of the Prespa lakes is endowed with an exceptional biodiversity. The region has been recognized as a European and Global Hotspot of Biodiverity, not only because of the sheer number of species and habitats present, but also due to their quality, such as rarity and conservation significance.

There are 1249 species of higher plants in the Prespa National Forest in Greece alone. The studies of the FYR of Macedonian part of the basin identified 13 habitat types of European importance, 33 globally significant plant species and 84 globally significant vertebrate species. Among others, there are the endemic forest with Juniperus species, the Macedonian pine (Molika, Pinus peuce, Balkan Pine), Viola eximia, Pelister stream trout, Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant and the Balkan Lynx. Numerous local endemic species both plants and animals, can be found in the basin and nowhere else in the world.

Protected Areas: The guardians of our natural heritage

Various human activities in the basin have been threatening the rich and important biological diversity of Prespa Lakes leading to loss of habitats and species. Governments of the three countries have established a number of protected areas in the basin for safeguarding the unique natural heritage and the benefits these areas provide to human wellbeing.

Strictly Protected Ornithological Reserve Ezerani
This reserve in FYR of Macedonia occupies 2,080 ha of the coastal area to the north of Lake Macro Prespa. In 1995, the reserve, together with the FYR of Macedonian part of Prespa Lake have been designated a Ramsar site, i.e. a Wetland of International Importance.

Pelister National Park
Pelister National Park in FYR of Macedonia is the oldest protected area in the basin. It was proclaimed in 1948 and it covers 17,150 ha. More than a dozen of plants have been described from the park, including two local endemic species.

Galicica National Park
Galicica National Park in FYR of Macedonia was proclaimed in 1958 to protect the woodland of the Galicica Mountain (25,000 ha). There are 12 species of higher plants to be found in this mountain only and the total number of higher plants of conservation importance exceeds 200. There are 71 local endemic invertebrate species in the park, 100 species are Macedonian (e.g. endemic to FYR of Macedonia) and 123 are classed as Balkan endemic species.

Prespa National Forest
Prespa National Forest (PNF) in Greece was designated in 1974. It spans an area of 19,470 ha, covering most of the Greek part of the Prespa lakes basin.  The south-eastern part of PNF has also been proclaimed a Wildlife Refuge - Sfika (6,700 ha). The Greek part of lake Micro Prespa is a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
As a result, today lake Micro Prespa hosts the world largest colony of the Dalmatian Pelican (1,000 breeding pairs), rated as a Vulnerable species internationally.

Prespa National Park
Prespa National Park in Albania was established in 1999 to provide for the protection of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Albanian part of the Prespa lakes basin (27,750 ha). The aquatic component includes the Albanian shares of the Prespa lakes, including the island Mali Grad.

Prespa Park: Safeguarding Biodiversity Accross the Borders

The transboundary Prespa Park constitutes an important step toward a coordinated and integrated approach in the conservation and management of biological diversity in the Prespa lakes basin. The implementation of the Strategic Action Plan for the Sustainable Development of the Prespa Park will contribute to a more effective management and bring a crossborder, basin-wide framework for the protection of Prespa’s biodiversity. Following the Strategic Action Plan, the Prespa Park Coordination Committee (PPCC) will oversee a range of efforts including:

•    Coordination of activities for integrated water management;
•    Assessment and transboundary management of fish and fisheries;
•    Implementation of joint conservation measures on key transboundary species and ecosystems (e.g. joint forest management plan);
•    Establishment and implementation of a basin-wide transboundary monitoring system whith emphasis on biodiversity and pollution. ♦