ANISA TOSKA, HENRI BORDE, ERISA SEITI, ALEKO MIHO
Abstract
Microsoft Word – JNS_Toska et al-Vjosa algae & water quality
A joint Summer School was organized by the Dresden University of Applied Sciences (HTWD) and the University of Tirana (UT), in September 2025, with the focus Vjosa River, Monitoring and Conservation. Algal findings (Team 4) are reported here. Sampling was in representative habitats of Vjosa and Drino Rivers in Tepelena and some other freshwater habitats nearby. 48 aquatic plant species are reported, where 35 are algae. Cladophora, Spirogyra, Zygnema species were the most common and relatively abundant. The yellow-green algae Vaucheria was abundant in Hotel waterfall, Cold Water, Tepelena, noted for the first time in Vjosa waters. Chara species were relatively abundant and in reproductive stage in Lekli, Drino River and Spring Canal, Tepelena. Cyanobacteria species of Oscillatoria or Phormidium, known as toxic, were scarcely to moderately observed, too. The waters seem to be of the first quality (I), unpolluted, in the most upstream part of the Cold Water spring; the quality drops to II immediately downstream, from the Hotel waterfall, the Spring Canal and the Lekli, Drino; even to III at the Dragoti, Vjosa; it corresponds to moderate to Microsoft Word – JNS_Toska et al-Vjosa algae & water quality relatively high pollution. Moreover, high erosion was evidenced there, showing poor land use in the Vjosa watershed. Taking care of nature conservation must be a permanent challenge for all municipalities and other relevant stakeholders to preserve the water quality of the Vjosa NP, but also human health within the Vjosa valley Biosphere Reserve, and its attractiveness.
Key words: Algalogy, Vjosa Wild River NP, water quality, ecological state, nature conservation.