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The territory of Albania includes a wide range of habitats and biodiversity. In the 3rd published volume of “Flora of Albania” Lamiaceae family is recognized as Labiatae family and includes 32 genera. The aim of this study is to bring an update of data on one of the large families of “Flora of Albania”, Lamiaceae family. First, this study refers to “Flora of Albania” volumes, as the only complete publication for the Albanian flora. Most of the data for the critical revision has been extracted from literature, such as the four volumes of “Flora of Albania”, the five volumes of the “Flora Europaea”, the MedChecklist and the Euro+Med Plantbase. Two genera: Acinos Miller and Calamintha Miller did not exist so far, and now this two genera are part of Clinopodium L. genus. From 276 taxa of this family only 143 remain unchanged like in the 3rd edition of “Flora of Albania”, whereas 133 taxa are new for Albania (with changed species/subspecies names or not even found in any of “Flora of Albania” published volumes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we present data for new floristic records on the flora of Shebenik- Jabllanicë National Park, which extends at north - east of Librazhdi town, in the border with Macedonia. It has a total surface 33,927.66 ha and the altitude varies from 300 m to 2264 m a. s. l. The Park is under the administration of Elbasan Regional Administration of Protected Areas (RAPAs) and is one of the largest Albanian National Parks, with great values especially of being home to a rich wild flora and fauna as well, that needs further explorations due to difficult terrains and roads. The Park is known for its diversity of vascular native flora and until now it comprises more than 1000 taxa, with a large number of endemic and sub-endemic species. During our exploration we found many taxa, which are reported here for the first time as present in the park area. Many of them have limited Europe distribution being native to Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey such as: Fritillaria macedonica Bornm., Vincetoxicum speciosum Boiss. & Spruner, Crocus jablanicensis N. Randjel. & V. Randjel. and others widespread, as: Tulipa sylvestris L., etc. that increase even more the number of floristic richness of this protected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The salt marshes of Albania comprise a narrow belt along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. They have been the subject of a range of human activitiescausing habitat loss. Enclosure for agricultural use, ports and other infrastructure has reduced many saltmarshes to a narrow fringe along estuary shores. Salt marshes are important for a range of interests. In particular they support a range of specialist plant communities and associated animals (especiallybreeding and wintering birds) and often have a high nature conservation interest. They rarely exist inisolation and form an integral part of many estuaries, other tidal inlets and bays. The objectives of this study are flora and vegetation of salt marshes. In this study, on the basis of field surveys, is given a phytosociological classification of the Albanian salt marshes vegetation by the European standard methods of phytosociology (Zurich-Montpellier). The salt marsh communities of Albania are poor in endemism and generally similar to relevant vegetation types elsewhere in the Mediterranean. The flora of coastal salt marshes is differentiated into levelsaccording to the plants' individual tolerance of salinity and water table levels. The flora of coastal salt marshes is differentiated into levels according to the plants' individual tolerance of salinity and water table levels. Coastal salt marshes of Albania are offered a number of 62 taxa, extended in 16 diverse families. The most presented families are Chenopodiaceae 24 %, followed by Poaceae and Asteraceae with 11%. Salt marshes are populated by halophytes, plants that can live under saline conditions. Plant species diversity is low, since the flora must be tolerant of salt and anoxic mud substrate [4]. The most common salt marsh plant communities in coastal area of Albania are salt meadows dominated by glasswort (Salicornia europaea), pioneer marsh communities, perennial vegetation of marine saline mud's mainly composed of scrub such as Sarcocornia fruticosa, Sarcocornia perennis and belonging to the Sarcocornetea fruticosi class, tall rush salt marshes dominated by Juncus maritimus or J. acutus (Juncetalia maritimi), halo-psammophile meadows mainly dominated by Plantago crassifolia, Saccharum ravennae, Scirpus holoschoenus (Plantaginion crassifoliae), [4, 5]. The plant communities'composition of salt marshes area is rather variable depending on the nature of the soil. The development from constantly submerged areas and ending in areas that are always above water level is marked by the increasing diversity which follows the arrival of a range of new species [7]. Coastal salt marshes rank among the systems with the highest productivity of any in the world. High productivity of salt marshes is just one reason we are protecting and restoring these valuable "liquid assets." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Albania, whose territory comprises many types of habitats and is characterized by a rich biological diversity, is particularly vulnerable to the threats posed by alien invasive species. The spread of invasive alien species is creating complex and far-reaching challenges that threaten both the natural biological riches of the earth and the well-being of our people. While the problem is global, the nature and severity of the impacts on society, economic life, health, and natural heritage are distributed unevenly across nations and regions. Some aspects of the global invasive alien species (IAS) problem require solutions tailored to the specific values, needs, and priorities of nations while others call for consolidated action by the larger world community. Preventing the international movement of invasive alien species and coordinating a timely and effective response to invasions requires cooperation and collaboration among governments, economic sectors, non-governmental organizations, and international treaty organizations. Many features have been attributed to invasive species and invaded ecosystems, but none are universal and invasive species tend to have a suite of traits rather than all of themThe large numbers of alien organisms introduced into Albania do not generally endanger the biodiversity on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]