Protected areas of Albania

Despite being a relatively small country, Albania is exceedingly rich in biodiversity. Its ecosystems and habitats support over 5,550 species of vascular and non-vascular plants and more than 15,600 species of coniferous and non-coniferous evergreens, most of which are threatened at global and European levels. The country has made recent efforts to expand its network of protected areas which now include: 11 national parks, 1 marine park, 718 nature monuments, 23 managed nature reserves, 11 protected landscapes, 4 World Heritage Sites,^[2] 4 Ramsar sites^[3] and other protected areas of various categories, that when combined, account for 21.36% of the territory.^[4] Furthermore, a biosphere reserve, 45 important plant areas and 16 important bird areas are found in the country.^[5][6]

Meanwhile, the central government has proclaimed the Coastline and the Tirana Greenbelt as areas of national importance.^[7]

At present, protected areas are constantly under threat by illegal logging, forest fires and the construction of hydroelectric power plants which have prompted ongoing protests from environmentalists and civil society.^[8]

The national policy for governing and the management of protected areas is implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism through the National Agency of Protected Areas (AKZM).^[9]