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Copyright of Biologica Nyssana is the property of University of Nis, Department of Biology & Ecology, Faculty of Sciences & Mathematics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Contamination by heavy metals is one of the major threats to soil and water as well as human health. Much attention is being paid to metal-accumulating plants that may be used for the phytoremediation of contaminated soils. Some plants can accumulate remarkable levels of metals, 100-1000-fold the levels normally accumulated in most species. This study evaluated the potential of mercury accumulation of 17 plant species growing on contaminated sites in the ex-industrial area of the PVC Factory, Vlora, Albania. Plant roots, shoots and soil samples were collected and analyzed for the selected metal concentration values. The biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) was calculated to evaluate the potential use of plant species for phytoremediation purposes. The concentration of Hg in soils inside the contaminated area varied from 45-301 mg/kg-1. The concentration of Hg in plant shoots and roots varied from 0.1 to 12.9 mg/kg-1 and 0.1 to 4.2 mg/kg-1, respectively. Species Medicago sativa L. and Dittrichia viscosa (L.) W. Greuter were found to be the most suitable plants for phytoremediation of the site contaminated with mercury (BAC values varied from 30-10 percent, respectively). Considering the BAC values, none of the plant species was found to be a hyperaccumulator; however, plants with high BCF (metal concentration ratio of plant root to soil) and low BTC (metal concentration ratio of plant shoots to roots) have the potential for phytostabilization and phytoextraction. The results of this study can be used for the management and decontamination of soils with mercury using plant species having phytoremediation potential/characteristics.

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]

A detailed study of flora and vegetation of south west part of Vlora bay is presented in this paper. Field work was carried out in the period 2014 - 2016. The total number of species recorded to be grown in the area was 155, implementing 134 genus and 46 families. Considering the total number of species found it can be concluded that the main number of species was represented by three families being respectively Poaceae 28 species, Asteraceae 16 species, Fabaceae 13. In the life - spectrum were over represented Therophytes 34, 19 % and Hemicryptophytes 32, 26 % of the total number of species. Twenty-four chorological groups are distinguished, where the Euri- Mediterranean elements (about 49 %) predominated. Of all plant species recorded, a considerable part belonged to medicinal plants, which covered about 19% of the total number. Among the found species seven of them belong to endangered species according to the Red Book of Albanian flora. Similar to the situation elsewhere, the biodiversity of south west part of Vlora bay is different today than in the past. Throughout the evolutionary history of the ecosystem, changes caused by natural factors took place. During the last half century, human activities contributed significantly to these changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the conservation status was estimated for six important rare and endemic plant taxa from the watershed of the middle section of river Devoll. It was assessed by the Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool (GeoCAT). The GeoCAT method is a standardized method for determination of the conservation status of the Red List species. As a result, Bubon albanicum and Echium maculatum were estimated for the first time as Endangered, while Bornmuellera baldaccii subsp. baldacii and subsp. rechingeri, respectively, were estimated as Endangered and Critically Endangered. The conservation status of Endangered was confirmed for Campanula hawkinsiana, while Festucopsis serpentini and Cistus sintenisii were proposed to be included in the IUCN Red List of species as Vulnerable and Endangered, respectively. Comments on the species distribution were also included. [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]

The Shebenik - Jabllanica National Park was proclaimed by Albanian Government with special Decision nr. 640 of May, 21st 2008 as "Protected Area" of the second Category. This area lies in north-east of Librazhdi town, and is situated at the bordering area among Albania and Macedonia, with surface 33 927,66 ha and altitude that vary from 300 m a.s.l. to 2244 m a.s.l. The Park is of a great interest from the point of nature conservation being home of extremely valuable natural habitats, flora and wildlife fauna as well. In this article are described some of the National Park habitats types which belong to the determinations and codes of Directive 92/43/EEC and is presented their spatial coverage by mapping, using geographical information software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystems in Fieri district provide resources and opportunities for the economic development offering natural resources such as sea and land, biodiversity such as forests, wetlands, etc. Flora is characterized by a long vegetation period, which may even exceed 10 months. This study shows the presence of high levels of hydrocarbon in soil, flora and fauna in Fieri oilfields area. Flora and fauna is continuously pressed by the presence of high concentrations of toxic substances in the soil. This is confirmed by the reduction of plants photosynthetic activity after 3-4 month of their exposure in contaminated environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although middle flow of Shkumbini river basin's territory is small, its flora is characterized by a considerable species richness of higher plants c. 700 - 750, greater than that in much larger area. This is due to its geographical position, geological factors, relief, climate and hydrology. The total number of plants of economic importance in area is larger than many might suspect. The presence of about 172 medicinal and aromatic plants, such as mints (Mentha), Thyme (Thymus), marjoram (Origanum) and leek (Allium), improves the biodiversity values in this area and also play an important role in everyday life in this region, because of the locality consume as phytomedicines, herbal teas etc. Also very rich, about 228 plant species is the assemblage of well-known plants for honey producing by bees. 42 plant species have forage values, distinguished for their nutritional values and as food for the animals. A great importance represents the recognition of 59, harmful and toxic plants in preventing and avoiding the damages which may be caused by them. This great diversity constitutes a rich reservoir and is of great importance not only from the scientific, but also from the economic point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an assessment on the current status of the habitats of European Conservation Interest along the Adriatic coast of Albania, both in terms of habitat size and quality. Through remote sensing and GIS changes in size and habitat composition and dynamics of coastal wetlands along Adriatic coast are assessed and reasons of such changes are discussed. Special attention is paid to priority habitats of EU Habitats Directive (43/92 CEE) occurring along the Adriatic coast, shown with an asterisk (*).The following 13 types of habitats are assessed:1130 Estuaries;1150 *Coastal lagoons; 1210 Annual vegetation of drift lines; 1410 Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi);1420 Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs (Sarcocornetea fruticosi);1510 *Mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia); 2110 Embryonic shifting dunes;2120 Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria ('white dunes'); 2190 Humid dune slacks dominated by Erianthus ravennae and Schoenus nigricans; 2250 * Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp.;2270 * Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea and/or Pinus pinaster;91F0 Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris);92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries. Each habitat type has been assessed based on naturalness degree, distribution pattern, and threatening factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Botanica Serbica is the property of University of Belgrade, Institute of Botany & Botanical Garden Jevremovac and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Botanica Serbica is the property of University of Belgrade, Institute of Botany & Botanical Garden Jevremovac and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Botanica Serbica is the property of University of Belgrade, Institute of Botany & Botanical Garden Jevremovac and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Botanica Serbica is the property of University of Belgrade, Institute of Botany & Botanical Garden Jevremovac and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)