MAB-IHP Regional Symposium: Managing Water Resources in Biosphere Reserves in SEE and Med
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The document discusses the management of water resources in the Ohrid-Prespa biosphere reserve, emphasizing its ecological, social, and economic importance. It outlines the structure and zones of the biosphere reserve, highlighting efforts for conservation and sustainable development across transboundary regions. Numerous action items and monitoring measures are proposed to improve water quality, biodiversity, and institutional capacities in the lake ecosystems.
MAB-IHP Regional Symposium: Managing Water Resources in Biosphere Reserves in SEE and Med
- 1. LjupkaD.Zajkov Ministry of environment and physical planning MAB-IHP Regional Symposium: ManagingWater Resources in Biosphere Reserves in South East Europe and the Mediterranean 16-17 December 2021Venice, Italy
- 2. OHRID-PRESPA BIOSPHERE RESERVE Conservation of Cultural Diversity Economic Development Conservation of Biological Diversity Social Development Biosphere Reserve Three zones, one biosphere reserve! Biosphere reserves have three interrelated zones to fulfil three mutually functions: The core area a strictly protected ecosystem that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation. The buffer zone surrounds the core areas, and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education. The transition area is the part of the reserve where the greatest activity is allowed, fostering economic and human.
- 3. Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Ohrid- Prespa
- 4. Declaration for Creation of the Biosphere Reserve 2.10.2012 (signed by the Municipalities and National Parks) Nomination approved by UNESCO Advisory Committee on March 2014 ( sent additional information by request) Ohrid-Prespa proclaimed as a TBR (13 in theWorld) on MAB Council meeting on June 12, 2014 Information on Proclamation adopted by the Government on 9.9.2014 Inauguration of theTBR Ohrid- Prespa, October 13 , 2014 , Korça, Albania North Macedonian Part Ohrid lake World Nature Heritage site of UNESCO 1979 Albanian Part Ohrid Lake World Nature Heritage site of Unesco 2019
- 7. Rich Biodiversity: Large number of wintering water-birds from the Palaearctic region High number of endemic species in the Ohrid-Prespa lakes Large breeding population of the two European Pelicans Reviving wildlife Brown bears, wolves, Lynx, Balkan Chamois Values of Ohrid -Prespa on a national and international level because of their geological and biological uniqueness OhridTrout
- 8. Ohrid Biodiversity Unique &Values • 1,200 native species are known from the lake, including 586 animals. • 212 known endemic species including 182 animals in a lake with a surface area of 358 km2. Εndemism is high in invertebrates Ohrid is one of the 12 most important wetlands in Europe in terms of fish endemism, with 17 species of freshwater fish, including the famous OhridTrout (Salmo letnica) as well as 9-11 local or regional endemics.The wetlands provide critical habitat for wintering water birds, including rare and threatened species such as the dalmatian pelican, ferruginous duck, spotted eagle, and imperial eagle. Ohrid Lake fulfils the Ramsarcriteria with 20,000 – 40,000 overwintering birds. 21-st June is Lake Ohrid Day Lake Ohrid is a tectonic lake located on the central Balkan with max depth of 289 with average water residence time is 70-85 years.
- 9. Lake Ohrid is hydrogeologically connected to Lake Prespa, which sits around 150 m higher than Lake Ohrid (depending on water level variations). The hydraulic connection between Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid, through the karstic massif, makes Lake Prespa its most important source of water, contributing over 40 percent of its water. It only takes six hours for the water to travel through the karstic system from Zavir/Zaveri to Tushemisht, which means that any change in the quality of Lake Prespa's waters would also affect - almost immediately - Lake Ohrid.
- 10. The Sateska River in North Macedonia is the lake's main surface tributary. In 1962, the river was diverted from its natural confluence with the Black Drin River into Lake Ohrid. The diversion almost doubled the size of the lake watershed and greatly increased its siltation (the mean annual sediment yield is over 100,000 m3). As a result, pollution levels of the lake, especially with respect to phosphorus, have significantly increased. There is ongoing work to redivert the Sateska River to its natural riverbed. About two thirds of Lake Ohrid's water outflows pass into the Black Drin River (the only outflow of Lake Ohrid), while the remaining third either evaporates or is consumed. Since 1962, the outflow to the Black Drin River has been controlled with a weir that regulates the lake's water level. This limits water level fluctuation to within the range of about 1 m.
- 11. Total Macro Prespa LAKE is 266 km2 and Micro Prespa is 45 km2 Main streams are Gorica e madhe (Tumicka reka) and Zaroshka going to Macro Prespa. There also several smaller streams. Rich Biodiversity of Prespa lake • 23 species of freshwater fish, of which 9 are endemic to the Prespa region. • Prespa is one of the 10 most important wetlands in the Mediterranean and one of the 12 most important wetlands in Europe in terms of fish endemism. The Prespa lakes are a wetland of international importance (Ramsar wetland). Great variety of habitat types: 49 habitat types listed in the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), including 7 priority terrestrial habitats.
- 12. In the Lake Prespa sub-basin there are two lakes -Micro Prespa and Macro Prespa- which are connected through an artificial canal. Lake (Macro) Prespa is a tectonic lake with an average depth of 16-18 m and an average water residence time of 11-20 years (different figures are given in bibliography). The karst geology of the area between lakes Prespa and Ohrid makes it difficult to define the hydrogeological boundary, resulting in variations among studies regarding the Lake Prespa catchment's dimensions. The total distribution of water inflows in the Macro Prespa Lake is estimated as follows: 56 percent from surface run-off, 35 percent from direct precipitation and 9 percent from Micro Prespa Lake. From 1976 to 2004, irrigation accounted for approximately 20 percent of the outflow, with 17 percent of total water losses for the same period comprising undefined outflows.
- 13. Water shortages in the watershed usually occur from May to September due to increased water demands and decreased precipitation, while at other times of the year there is no water deficit. Under normal hydrologic conditions, there are no surface outflows. Water level oscillation causes the Macro Prespa surface area to vary from 259.4 to 280.0 km2 .Water level has fallen by more than 9 m in the last 60 years.Water level peaked during the 1963 flood at 853 m above sea level, falling in the years after, with the sharpest decline occurring between 1986 and 1991. Even though the reasons for the decline in water level are not fully understood, they are believed to be predominantly related to natural variations in rainfall combined with human extraction and variations in the 'karstic outflow' regime.
- 14. Sepcific activities Timeline Priority Locality Responsible organization Financing Budget Indicators Impact on water resources/ecosystems 1 Improved access to data for Prespa and Ohrid Lake - repositorium for all steakholders - special web-portal for Prespa and Ohrid on the website of the Ministry (MoEPP) First three months, continuous urgent Prespa and Ohrid Lake MoEPP national budget / established database Better coordination between institutions, more transparency 2 Initiate a Prespa Park Committee meeting (within the Agreement for the Protection and Sustainable Development of Prespa Park with Greece and Albania, May 2019) with the intent of intensifying collaboration for Prespa Lake First six months, continuous Urgent Entire Prespa watershed (MK, GR, AL) Government/Pre spa committee/Minis try of External Affairs national budget Annex 2 for joint monitoring of the three countries Implementation of measures of the Agreement for Prespa Lake Improved coordination on Lake-related activities 3 Request to Albania and Greece for joint monitoring of Lesser and Great Prespa Lake (as part of the Agreement for the Protection and Sustainable Development of Prespa Park with Greece and Albania) in order to exchange data - a hydrology/meteorology sub- workgroup first 1-2 years, continuous urgent Entire Prespa watershed (MK, GR, AL) Government/Pre spa committee/Minis try of External Affairs national budget/donors / joint monitoring established and a system for data exchange Improved conservation of the lakte through coordination on the collection and exchange of data between countries 4 Updating and continuous monitoring of the national monitoring network for the Prespa Lake watershed for hydrology/meteorology first 1-2 years, continuous urgent Entire Prespa watershed (MK, GR, AL) National Hydrometeorolog ical Service of MK national budget/donors (Annex 3) Suggestion for hydrological and meteorological monitoring established and updated monitoring, conitnuous financing for monitoring secured Imporved conservation status of the Lake through regular monitoring 5 Prepare a study for the assessment of the impact of water loss on biodiversity and defining indicator species among the following taxonomic groups: algae, macrophytes, aquatic invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, that will help monitor the effectiveness of conservation measures aimed at ameliorating the effects of water loss first 1-2 years, continuous urgent Prespa watershed in MK, GR and AL in next phase MoEPP/Faculty of Natural Sciences/hydrobi ological institute/nationa l experts national budget/IPA3 70.000,00 euros Prepared study/report Assessing the current conservation status of indicator species and their populations 6 Restoration measures for the nationally critically endangered waterwheel (Aldrovanda vesiculosa ); establishing the exact distribution, mapping, ex situ conservation in the botanical garden in Skopje at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. First six months, six months urgent Prespa Lake litoral zone MoEPP/Faculty of Natural Sciences/hydrobi ological institute/nationa l experts national budget/IPA3 10-15.000 euros concrete restoration measures conserving a critically endangered plant population 7 Optimization and continuous control of water extraction for irrigation purposes in the whole Prespa region as per the example of the positive experiences and practices of the UNDP projects in Prespa first 1-2 years, continuous urgent Prespa Lake watershed Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy(MAFW E)/MoEPP national budget/donors 800.000 euros controlled irrigation system in place in parts of Prespa lower pressure from irrigation 8 Creating a registry of wells in the region and establishing continuous monitoring of underground waters in the Prespa watershed as per the example of the UNDP project on the conservation of Prespa Lake first 1-2 years, continuous urgent Prespa Lake watershed Municipality of Resen (MoR)/MAFWE/ MoePP national budget 50.000 euros updated registry: a. mapping of wells, b.ownership (private/public), c. age, d. condition lower pressure from irrigation Organize educational activities for the local people of the Prespa watershed aiming at raising awareness on water use and the potential general negative effects in lack of regulations and control first 1-2 years, continuous urgent Prespa and Ohrid Lake MAFWE/MoEPP national budget 10.000euros trainings and established system for optimal water use lower pressure from irrigation 10 National monitoring for water quality in the Prespa Lake watershed - methodology entirely based on the "Guidelines and procedures on monitoring qualititative characteristics of waters within the network of hydrological stations" in line with the Directive on waters 2000/60/EC and the law on waters. first 1-2 years, implemented within 3 years. Twice a year (low and high waterflows): chemical and general characteristics, and pollutants. Every three years: biological elements urgent Litoral zone of the lake: Stenje, inflow of the rivers Golema Reka, Kranska Reka, Brajchinska Reka, and Dolno Dupeni, one profundal spot Hydrometeorolog ical service of MK (HMSMK), supervised by research institutions according to the Strategy for Sustainable national budget 20.000 euros annually for chemical monitoring; 50.000 euros for the first year of full monitoring (biological and chemical) Annual report on the physical and chemical properties and pollutants. Biological elements reported every third year Monitoring the effects of conservation activities until a favorable ecological status has been achieved. GOAL I: Improving water and soil quality and the status of biodiversity in order to improve the health of the ecosystems and poeple in the Prespa watershed GOAL II: Sustainable and efficient water use and control of the water levels of Prespa Lake and underground waters.
- 15. 11 Raising institutional capacities in the area of water and nature, with special accent on monitoring first 1-2 years, continuous urgent / HMSMK, MoEPP national budget in line with annual plans for administrative workers Raised capacities of institutions Regular and proffessional monitoring of the lake 12 Management of fish stock: restocking autochtonous species raised in the watershed; restoring parts of the old fisheries in Ezerani first 1-2 years, continuous urgent Prespa watershed MAFWE/MoR national budget 2 million denars for the first part - restocking the lake has been restocked with autochtonous species and old fisheries have been restored increased popu;ations of autochtonous species of fish 13 Removing dead macrophytes and reducing active vegetation First six months, continuous urgent litoral zone of the lake MoR MoR budget and donors 50.000 euros Decomposing dead macrophytes removed and active vegetation reducing organic matter 14 Implementing the reedbed management plan First six months, continuous urgent litoral zone of the lake MoR national budget/IPA3 180.000 euros Basic institutional capacities for reedbed management established reducing organic matter 15 Defining localities and ammounts of sediments to be removed First six months, continuous urgent litoral zone of the lake MoR MoR budget and donors / Localities defined and sediment removed improved conservation status of the lake 16 Further research on the karstic outflow of the Lake through Galichica Mt. with isotope methods for water movement. A) modelling water input at the coast of Ohrid Lake (H-3 simulations) b) where and how much of the water from Prespa Lake moves through the karst (stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen) first 1-3 years, one year urgent Prespa and Ohrid Lake watershed MoEPP/national experts national budget a) 70.000 euros b) 160.000 euros a) model for water input (obvious and ublacustrine) at the southeastern part of the coastline of Ohrid Lake b) the exat quantities of water from Prespa Lake at the Separt of Ohrid Lake quantified hydrological cycle known 17 Developing methodology to define the correlation between water level-water volume in the lake using appropriate methodology (using sensitive measuring techniques and development of models for the design of an information system) first 1-2 years, one year high Prespa Lake watershed MoEPP/ Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy(FTM)/ HMSMK national budget/IPA3/donors method developed Defining the capacity of lake waters as they pertain to individual pollutants 18 Monitoring lake water volume dynamics in order to define the dynamic capacity of lake waters as they pertain to currently detected or potential future pollutants, through empirical models and dynamic simulations After three years medium Prespa Lake watershed MoEPP/FTM/HM SMK national budget 50,000.00 euros Data gathered for the model Retaining lake water quality 19 Overseeing the transport of these components through: a) empirical absorption research to establish capacities in order to retain water quality in Prespa and Ohrid Lake b) Acquire a portable multiABspektrofotometer to detect these components and those that will be used for future analyses and acquire a portable devide that measures water level at varying lake bottom first 1-3 years, one year high Prespa Lake watershed MoEPP/ Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy(FTM)/ HMSMK national budget/IPA3 a) 90.000 euros. B) 25.000 euros Data collected for the established model Retaining lake water quality 20 Research on the impact of seismic activity on the carstic outflow first 1-3 years, one year urgent Prespa and Ohrid Lake Institute of Earthquake engineering and engineering seismology/ national budget/donors research done 21 Continuous monitoring of the dynamics of wetlands through annual orthophotographic drone surveys and mapping of the natural, semi-natural and agricultural surfaces along with direct field visits within 2-3 years, one year high Prespa and Ohrid Lake MoEPP/national experts national budget/IPA3 50.000 euros photographic material and habitat maps 23 Bathymetric analyses a) Regular lake bottom control using bathymetric instruments b) analyses of the Lake in Galichica 3-5 years medium Prespa and Ohrid Lake watershed NMSMK national budget 60.000 euros A model for the underwater relief of both lakes; identified localities with depressions that facilitate carstic outflow First research on the Lake in Galichica Mt. Regular reports on Lakes' bathymetries 24 Water-level model (annual prediction according to wet-season precipitation) a. data availability b. meteorological stations at >1000masl c. hydrological stations of all water bodies according to WDF d. Water used for irrigation according to mapped surfaces in five years; 5 years medium Prespa and Ohrid Lake watershed NMSMK national budget/IPA3 150.000 euros 1st year to develop a model. 75.000 euros each following year for callibration. 450.000 wuros Developed model water cycle known
- 16. Progress made in Ohird area 1. A Minister for Environment and physical planning made decision for temporary protection (until official proclamation for Protected area) of the Studencisko swamp. 2. Ohird lake nominate as a new Ramsar site 3. Consultative workshop held with stakeholders on on the Draft-Study for valorization of the Monument of Nature - Lake Ohrid organization by IUCN 4. Consultative workshop held with stakeholders on the Draft Management Plan for the Monument of Nature of LakeOhrid organization by IUCN 5. The joint statement in support of the Study for valorization of Lake Ohrid was signed by the mayors of the municipalities of Ohrid, Struga and Debrca who expressed their readiness to cooperate in the process of re-proclamation of LakeOhrid as a Monument to nature. 6. Draft law prepared and Scheduled public hearing on the Draft Law on Studencisko swamp 7. Promote the IUCN Global Standard for Nature base Solutions and Guidelines for the Standard. 8. The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP) has concluded a framework agreement with the Nature Fund for Ohrid ‐ Prespa (PONT) in 2018, which aims at long-term support in covering 50% of the operating costs for the management of protected areas in the cross-borderOhrid ‐ Prespa region. In 2021 we extend this support to Ohrid region. 9. Under the GEF Drin Project,The Lake OhridWatershed Management Plan has been recently approved by the responsible authorities ofAlbania and North Macedonia 10. TheValuation of Ecosystem Services of Lake Ohrid, under the GEF Drin Project, was done as a key input to development and natural base solution
- 17. Progress made in Prespa area 1. The Government adopted the Prespa Lake Action Plan of the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning prepared by the established Expert Working Group (ERG). 2. The first ministerial meeting was held at which the representatives of the three countries: North Macedonia, Albania and Greece, in accordance with the Agreement for protection and sustainable development of Prespa Park, agreed on how they will cooperate in the protection of the common natural heritage. 3. Approved project EU for Prespa. The project will contribute to the practical implementation of the national legislation, which is harmonized with the EU acquis included in Chapter 27. This involves implementation actions for on solid waste, waste water sector and the protection of habitats and birds 4. The Grant Agreement between PONT and the Municipality of Resen concerning the management of the Lake Prespa Monument of Nature and Ezerani Nature Park was ongoing. The Agreement provides for PONT to co-finance activities related to improving the technical and management skills of the municipal staff involved in the management of the two protected areas. This includes monitoring of priority habitats and species, improving the visitor experience, management, and raising awareness among local people about the natural values of Prespa and the need for acting sustainably. 5. The grant to Public Scientific Institution Hydrobiological Institute Ohrid (HIO) is part of PONT’s support to Environmental Actors that contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources in the Wider Prespa Area (WPA), such as legally established NGOs, municipalities, academic or scientific institutions with a non-profit focus that are present and active locally. 6. The project Monitoring and Conservation of Endemic and Endangered Trout (Salmo peristericus) in the National Park Pelister and Prespa region is on realization. 7. Update training program for rangers for protected areas Prespa lake and Ezerani
- 18. Grazie