Editing Geography of Albania (section)

== Biodiversity ==
{{Main|Biodiversity of Albania|Protected areas of Albania}}
{{multiple image
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| image1            = Golden_eagle_(13434882845).jpg
| alt1              = Golden Eagle
| caption1          = The [[golden eagle]] is the [[National symbols of Albania|national symbol]] of Albania.
| image2            = Eurasian_lynx_(Lynx_lynx).jpeg
| alt2              = Balkan Lynx
| caption2          = The [[Balkan lynx]] lives only in Albania and Macedonia.
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The proximity to the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and the convergence of exceptional [[climatic]], [[geological]] and [[hydrological]] conditions, have contributed for the development of a diverse [[biodiversity]], making Albania one of the [[biodiversity hotspot]]s of [[Europe]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mediterranean Basin Biodiversity Hotspot |url=https://www.cepf.net/sites/default/files/mediterranean-basin-2017-ecosystem-profile-english_0.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613234351/https://www.cepf.net/sites/default/files/mediterranean-basin-2017-ecosystem-profile-english_0.pdf |archive-date=2018-06-13 |url-status=live |website=cepf.net |pages=1–339  |date=July 2017}}</ref>

In terms of [[phytogeography]], the land area of Albania extends within the [[Boreal Kingdom]], specifically within the [[Illyria]]n province of the [[Circumboreal Region]]. Its territory can be subdivided into four terrestrial [[ecoregion]]s of the [[Palearctic realm]] – the [[Illyrian deciduous forests|Illyrian]], [[Balkan mixed forests|Balkan]], [[Pindus Mountains mixed forests|Pindus]] and [[Dinaric Mountains mixed forests|Dinaric]] forests.<ref>{{cite web|author1=NaturAL|title=Albania towards Natura 2000|url=http://www.natura.al/page.php?lang=en&section=albaniatowardsn2000|website=Natura|location=Tirana|page=1|access-date=13 September 2018|archive-date=11 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311223347/http://www.natura.al/page.php?lang=en&section=albaniatowardsn2000|url-status=dead}}<br>- {{cite web|title=The National Parks Of Albania The fifteen national parks in Albania encompass an area of 210,668.48 hectares which accounts for about 3.65% of the overall territory of the country.|url=http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-national-parks-of-albania-protecting-the-natural-treasures-of-the-country.html|website=World Atlas|quote=The territory of Albania can be divided into four ecoregions: Dinaric Alpine (mixed forests in the far north). Balcanic (mixed forest in the north-east). Pindus mountain (mixed forests covering the central and southeast mountains). Illyrian deciduous (forest covering the rest of the country).}}</ref>

In Albania [[forest cover]] is around 29.% of the total land area, equivalent to 788,900 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, up from 788,800 hectares (ha) in 1990. Of the naturally regenerating forest 11% was reported to be [[primary forest]] (consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity) and around 0% of the forest area was found within protected areas. For the year 2015, 97% of the forest area was reported to be under [[State ownership|public ownership]], 3% [[Private property|private ownership]] and 0% with ownership listed as other or unknown. <ref>{{Cite book |url=https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a6e225da-4a31-4e06-818d-ca3aeadfd635/content |title=Terms and Definitions FRA 2025 Forest Resources Assessment, Working Paper 194 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |year=2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, Albania |url=https://fra-data.fao.org/assessments/fra/2020/ALB/home/overview |website=Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations}}</ref>

The northern edge of the country has an affinity for those of [[Continental Europe]], while those of the southern edge refer to the affinity with that of the [[Mediterranean Basin]].<ref>{{cite web |title=lbania Biodiversity Assessment Under the Biodiversity and Forestry Indefinite Quantity Contract Contract No. LAG-I-00-99-00013-00, Task Order No. 811 |url=https://rmportal.net/library/content/118_albania/at_download/file |website=rmportal.net |pages=16–23  |format=PDF |date=November 2003}}</ref> They are substantial because they provide shelter for a vast array of [[Rare species|rare]] and [[endangered species]] of [[animal]]s, among others the [[brown bear]], [[Balkan lynx]], [[grey wolf]], [[golden jackal]], [[Egyptian vulture]] and [[golden eagle]]. Albania had a 2018 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 6.77/10, ranking it 64th globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity - Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057}}</ref>

The [[Mediterranean monk seal]], [[short-beaked common dolphin]] and [[common bottlenose dolphin]] can frequently be seen in the coastal waters of the country. Outstanding is the presence of the [[Dalmatian pelican]], the rarest [[pelican]] in the world. The biodiversity of Albania is conserved in its [[Protected areas of Albania|protected area]]s, which provide protection to hundreds of [[threatened]] and [[endangered species]].<ref name="Albania, Europe"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Protected Areas System in Albania|url=https://www.tap-ag.com/assets/07.reference_documents/english/esias/albania/AAL00-ERM-641-Y-TAE-1008_03-at23--ESIA_Albania_Annex_6.2.3_-_Protected_Areas_System_in_Albania.pdf|website=tap-ag.com|page=5|access-date=5 September 2017|archive-date=9 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509193218/http://www.tap-ag.com/assets/07.reference_documents/english/esias/albania/AAL00-ERM-641-Y-TAE-1008_03-at23--ESIA_Albania_Annex_6.2.3_-_Protected_Areas_System_in_Albania.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Archived copy"/><ref name="mjedisi.gov.al"/>

=== Protected areas ===
{{main|Protected areas of Albania}}
[[File:Галичица, поглед на две езера, 2011.jpg|350px|thumb|right|The [[Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve|Ohrid-Prespa Biosphere Reserve]] in southeastern Albania and southwestern [[North Macedonia]]]]

Numerous parts of Albania are [[Protected areas of Albania|protected]] in accordance with a number of national and international designations due to their [[natural]], [[historical]] or [[cultural]] value.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Spase Shumka |title=Albania's Biodiversity and Protected Areas An Executive Summary |url=http://www.al.undp.org/content/dam/albania/docs/short_report_design.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008214412/http://www.al.undp.org/content/dam/albania/docs/short_report_design.pdf |archive-date=2018-10-08 |url-status=live |website=al.undp.org |pages=1–12 }}</ref> Protected areas belong to the most principal instruments of [[conservation (ethic)|conservation]] which in turn contributes effectively to the maintenance of [[species]], [[habitat]]s and [[ecosystem]]s.

The country has currently fifteen designated [[national park]]s, whereby one is specified as a [[marine park]]. Ranging from the [[Adriatic Sea]] and the [[Ionian Sea]] to the [[Albanian Alps]] and the [[Ceraunian Mountains]], they possess outstanding landscapes constituting habitats to thousands of [[plant]] and [[animal]] species. [[Butrint National Park|Butrint]], [[Divjakë-Karavasta National Park|Divjakë-Karavasta]], [[Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park|Karaburun-Sazan]], [[Llogara National Park|Llogara]], [[Prespa National Park (Albania)|Prespa]], [[Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park|Shebenik-Jabllanicë]], [[Theth National Park|Theth]] and [[Valbonë Valley National Park|Valbonë]] are among the most spectacular national parks of the country.