Children’s World Journey – Albania – Animals & Plants

Children's World Journey - Albania - Animals & Plants

Albania

On the coast of Albania you will find olive and lemon trees. [© Berit Watkin / CC BY 2.0]

What is growing in Albania?

The vegetation of Albania differs depending on the altitude of the landscape. For plants alone, there are more than 3220 species in Albania. In the south and in the coastal areas you will find palm trees, lemon, olive and orange trees. In slightly higher areas and hills, trees such as firs, beeches, oaks and pines grow. More than a third of Albania consists of such forests. However, the higher you go, the lower and less the growth will be. At altitudes of 2,000 meters and above, the forest landscape gradually turns into a landscape that is dominated by shrubs and grass.

Wolves live in the untouched forests of Albania. [© Angell Williams / CC BY 2.0]
The golden eagle is the Albanian national animal. [© Source: pixabay.com]

Which animals live in Albania?

The steep mountain landscapes and deep forests of Albania are uninhabited by humans and thus also industrially undeveloped. This is an advantage for animals and plants, as their natural habitat is preserved. Wolves, foxes and lynx live in the mountains. There are even more brown Bears, even if the number of bears in Albania continues to decline.

wild boars, Goats and sheep also live in populated areas and are still a livelihood, especially in villages. The sea and the coast are also home to many animals. There are turtles and a large number of fish species.

The bird diversity in Albania is especially unique. The country has more than 350 native bird species. This includes the Albanian national animal, the Golden eagle, but also falcons and kites. In addition, the country always provides a resting place for passing migratory birds, which settle mostly in the coastal areas.

Threat to biodiversity

Dispose in this way le >[© Jason Rogers / CC BY 2.0]

Due to the different altitudes and vegetation zones from the beach and the coast to the high mountains, the animal and plant worlds of Albania are diverse and diverse, but this diversity is increasingly threatened.

Especially poor people without access to waste disposal often have no other option but to burn their trash on the street. The combustion process produces toxic fumes, which is very bad for people and the environment. Some people simply store the garbage in or on rivers, which pollutes the water. For humans as well as for animals and plants this means the destruction of a healthy habitat.

Fighting the destruction of the environment

Tourists drive in "Blue Eye National Park" in Albania with a boat. [© Jon Robson / CC BY 2.0]

In order to put an end to the extinction of species in Albania, the government introduced a two-year hunting ban in 2014. Especially rare animals such as bears or wolves should be protected. Even though not everyone adhered to the ban, progress was made.

In February 2016, cutting down trees was banned for the next ten years. The forests are an important habitat for various species in Albania, and they ensure that the climate remains in balance despite increasing air pollution.

Another important step is the establishment of national parks. There are many in Albania. They cover almost seven percent of the entire national territory. Unfortunately, the national parks are not sufficiently protected and regularly visited by too many tourists at once. The result of this is again a lot of garbage and pollution.

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Christina Cherry
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