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PP49 Environmental Study for Moronica Park, Junik, Kosovo

Submitted to: Directorate of Urban Development, Junik, Kosovo

Prepared by: Mehmet Metaj, Consultant, UN-Habitat, Kosovo;

September, 2013
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I.

ENVIRONMENT.......................................................................................................................................................... 4

1.1.Location of Moronica Nature Park .......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2.Geographical position of Junik Municipality ...........................................................................................................................5 1.3. Geology, bedrock and soil ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.4. Climatic conditions.................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.5. Hydrography ..............................................................................................................................................................................7 1.6. Parks infrastructure ................................................................................................................................................................ 8 1.7. Buffer zone of MP .................................................................................................................................................................... 12 1.8. Land Ownership ....................................................................................................................................................................... 15 2.

BIODIVERSITY ............................................................................................................................................................ 16

2.1. Vegetation ................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 2.2. Fauna inventory ....................................................................................................................................................................... 19 2.3. Description of habitat and related species ............................................................................................................................ 20 2.3.1. Main habitat features, ecology and variabilit y .................................................................................................................. 20 2.3.2. Overview of Austrian Pine .................................................................................................................................................. 20 2.3.3. Diagnostic introduction for Thaumetopoea pityocampa ...................................................................................................22 2.4. Forestry ................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 3.

Threats and Protection ..................................................................................................................................................27

3.1. Fire ............................................................................................................................................................................................27 3.2. Fire Protection ..........................................................................................................................................................................27 3.3.ECOLOGICAL SERVICES AND BENEFITS OF THE HABITAT .................................................................................. 28 3.3.1.Pests control ........................................................................................................................................................................... 28 3.3.2.Harmful insects ..................................................................................................................................................................... 28 3.3.3. Invasive alien species............................................................................................................................................................ 28 3.4.Climate change effects ............................................................................................................................................................. 29 3.5. Protection against erosion ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 4.

Conservation management ........................................................................................................................................... 31

4.1. Site protection and conservation measures ............................................................................................................................ 31 2

4.2. Tourism management and sustainable financing ..................................................................................................................32 4.3.Visitor information sheet ..........................................................................................................................................................33 4.4.Panel Signs .................................................................................................................................................................................34 4.6.Demographic profile ................................................................................................................................................................. 41 4.7.Public education and consultation .......................................................................................................................................... 42 4.8.Financial Framework................................................................................................................................................................43 5.

Generalities on monitoring and evaluation ........................................................................................................ 45

5.1.Parameters (indicators) to be measured ................................................................................................................................ 46 5.2.Basics of Monitoring Program ................................................................................................................................................ 47 5.2.1. The Parks Inventory & Monitoring (I&M). ..................................................................................................................... 48 5.2.2. Monitoring parameters indicators .................................................................................................................................... 49 5.3.Annual Monitoring Report ...................................................................................................................................................... 50 6.

Documents consulted ....................................................................................................................................................52

I.

ENVIRONMENT

1.1. Location of Moronica Nature Park Moronica Nature Park (FIGURE 1) lies at an altitude of 550-662 m above sea level and is the main feature of the wooded hilly landscape of Junik Municipality, lying to the west of the town and to east of Erenik river. It marks the beginning of Junik mountain, located in the north-west of the country. According to the local development plan, this zone is designated as a protected panorama and it also links the National Park of Bjeshkt e Namuna (Prokletije/Accursed Mountains). The total area of Moronica Nature Park is approximately 40 hectares. The parkland is regarded as both a gate and buffer protection area to Ereniku Valley and Gjeravica, allowing the connection to Bjeshkt e Namuna National Park. Study and analysis of Moronica is recommended since it is considered a natural area of particular recreational importance in the Municipality.

F IGURE 1

1.2 G E O G R A P HI C A L

P OS I T I O N OF

JUNIK MUNICIPALITY

Junik (Map 1) is situated in the western part of Kosovo, nearby Bjeshkt e Namuna (Acursed Mountains/Prokletije). It has a territory of 77.77 km and geographic latitude of 42,22 and geographic longitude of 20,26. Junik has a suitable geographic position, reaching the northwest of Dukagjini valley, facing the gorge of Erenik River, which flows from the lakes of Gjeravica and serpentines through the valleys of Albanian Alps. The territory of Junik Municipality extends to the northern-western part of Dukagjini Plain, and is in border with municipalities of Dean/Decani, Gjakova/Djakovica, Albania and Montenegro. Distance from Junik to Peja/Pec is 25 km, Junik to Gjakova/Djakovica 20 km which passes by the village Batusha, whilst the distance from Juniku to Rastavica (highway Peja/Pec-Gjakova/Djakovica) is 5,5 km. Junik Municipality has a suitable geographic position, facing the picturesque gorge of Erenik River. The altitude of Junik is between 450-2600 meters above sea level. The town itself is in a sea level of 593m. The highest mountain point is Gjeravica, with sea level of 2.656 m, which is also the highest mountain point of Albanian Alps in Kosovo. Natural features: Junik has different types of landscapes, from the hydrographical (Erenik and Trava rivers), field landscapes (Junik field) and hilly or mountainous landscapes (Gjeravica, Moronica). On 28.08.2008 The Municipal Assembly of Junik has announces Moronica as special zone of Junik Municipality. It is presumed for this zone to be the future park of the town(..). which will be as a linking bridge between the ethnographic park and the national park Bjeshkt e Namuna (Cursed Mountains/Prokletije) In its entirety, Junik is presented as an entity that has been, is and will be closely linked with the nature.

Junik Municipality Administrative Border Map

M AP 1

1.3 G E OL O G Y , B E D R OC K A N D S O I L The MP1 bedrock is dominated by the ultrabasic on shallow serpentine bedrock. The site soil is a grey dark soil which is a typical soil of the black pine forest stands.

Soil classes of Junik Forest Area: Land code 7 23 44 57 120 Land class Litosol on basic bed-rock formations Clayey dilution Typical rendzine soil over strong limestone substrate Typical ranker on Basic bed-rocks (gabbro, dibasic, basalt) Shallow grey soil on bed-rock-grill substrates (filit, mikashist, etc..) Total area
T ABLE 1

Area, ha 206 1 343 651 2.243 3.444

% 6 0 10 19 65 100

1.4 C L I M A T I C C ON D I T I O N S Junik has a continental climate but with some Mediterranean features. This climate is suitable for growing various forest species. The average temperature is 11C- 21C. The average amount of precipitation is 670 mm, while the vegetation season (middle of IV-IX) near 330 mm. Rainfall: The mean annual precipitation in the territory of Municipality move from 900 - 1500 ml/m2. On average, during the year there are 126 days of the rainfall. There are at least 6 to 8 days during July, August and September of an average rainfall amount up to 70 ml/m 2. The largest amount is during the half cold year where the amount of precipitation reaches up to 1500ml/m 2 day. The Junik Municipality, precipitation is mostly in the form of rain, they often appear in form of snow from November to April and may be levied in October and May. Averagely there are 39 snow days with over 10 cm snows and there are 22 days with up to 30cm snow cover. There are only 6 days with over 50cm.

Moronica Park

The amount of monthly and annual rainfall in ml/cm I 101 II 102 III 74 IV 66 V 57 VI 48 VII 45 VIII 34 IX 60 X 104 XI 114 XII 103 Yearly 908

T ABLE 2

Graph.1. Graph of monthly precipitation

G RAPH 1

Snow cover in the territory of Municipality has different time durations. According to the durability of relief, and sea level, stability of snow is on mounts over 2000m in height. 1.5 H Y D R O GR A P H Y Rivers and water surfaces: Erenik river is the largest and most important river in the region, which also serves as the water source for irrigation of the Junik field. Erenik stems from the Gjeravica lakes. Respectively flowing waters coming from the mountains crowns, from the spring of Erenik and drops down to form surface water flows.If managed well and no misuse of water, also has sufficient quantities of water for irrigation and drinking.

Map of Hydrography (Moronica Natural Park)

M AP 2

1.6 P A R K S

I N FR A S T R U C T U R E

Camping/Picnicking Amphitheatre Pedestrian passes Promenade Bar-Restaurant Meadows

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Points of Interest Mapping (Moronica Natural Park)

M AP 3

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Camping/Picnicking A camping area of about 1100 m2 (Figure 2) in the northern part of the park and has a water source (Figure 3) fresh air, tranquility, best for barbecue. Camping photo

F IGURE 2

F IGURE 3

Amphitheatre It is located in the southern part of the MP (Figure 4 ), with an area of approximately 1000 m2 has started to be built (from a joint project of UN-Habitat and Junik Municipality). It was constructed by using a traditional model, with a dry stone wall and fence above it (Figure 5 ).
Amphitheatre photo

F IGURE 4

F IGURE 5

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Pedestrian passes The pedestrian pass (Figure 6) length is across1600 ml, designed in the park that has access to camping and amphitheater areas. A traverse across the surface after the park closes and comes in its southern part. Five bridge woods (Figure 7) are part of pedestrian pass for an easier movement across park. Pedestrian passes photo

F IGURE 6

F IGURE 7

Promenade At the entrance of the Amphitheatre there is designed a Promenade (Figure 8) as a facility for visitors to enter the site and to rest in wooden benches (Figure 9) build across the promenade. This refers to a wooden bridge with the inhabited area. Promenade photo

F IGURE 8

F IGURE 9

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Bar-Restaurant It is located (Figure 10-11) in a western part of Moronica Nature Park accessible by road car and down pedestrian.

F IGURE 10

F IGURE 11

Meadows Four meadows were identified in the territory of the park, with bushes grass characteristic vegetation.

1.7 B U F FE R

ZO N E OF

MP

The Moronica Parks area (Map 4) is 40 ha of which 21.1 ha is the core zone. The buffer zone is composed of various vegetation mostly of broadleaved and it is also dense with various vegetation, as of black pine (P.nigra, Arnold), Quercus species, Chestnut (Castanea sativa, L.). Hornbeam, fraxinus and other shrub species and herbaceous. The buffer zone as agreed will have to be managed with the same criteria as those described for Moronica Nature Park. Buffer zones are areas created to enhance the protection of a conservation area, often peripheral to it, inside or outside. Within Buffer zones, certain legal and/or customary restrictions are placed upon resource use and/or is managed to reduce the negative impacts of restrictions on the neighboring communities. A buffer zone can also be one of the protected area categories (e.g. category V or VI of IUCN Protected Area) or a classification scheme (e.g.Natura 2000) depending on the conservation objective. The term buffer zone gained international prominence mainly through UNESCOs Man and Biosphere Program in 1979. Subsequently, the objectives of the buffer zone approach evolved from a solely geographically delineated area with resource use restrictions to incorporation of development activities particularly by the Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICDPs) in 1980s. Several buffer zone definitions have been
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proposed since then emphasizing either conservation or both conservation and development objectives. Buffer zones are an important part of conservation strategies for a wide variety of sites of biodiversity importance, in particular for World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves and IUCN Protected areas categories.

Map of Moronica Nature Park Zoning

M AP 4

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Criteria A variety of spatial patterns and arrangements for buffer zones exist, all following the same principle, but applied under completely different conditions (ecological, political, economic, etc). Hence, a wide diversity can be observed in the criteria for their creation and management. There are five aspects that are commonly considered in their creation. Size Determined based on factors such as the objectives for creation of buffer zone, availability of land, traditional land use systems, threats and opportunities. Ecology Buffer zones vary depending on their focus on the landscape, habitat and/or species conservation, each of which demands a different approach for their creation. Economy This involves appraisals such as cost-benefit analysis, time frame and discount rate, to assess economic viability of establishing a buffer zone. Legislation Several international,treaties and conventions (e.g. Convention on Biological Diversity, World). Social and institutional Creation of buffer zones also involves consideration of issues such as traditional rights of local communities, type of development activities to minimize negative impacts of conservation, local organizations to manage buffer zones and land tenure. Biodiversity Buffer zones are not sites of biodiversity conservation themselves, but their establishment provides an additional layer of protection to existing areas of biodiversity importance, and they are often fundamental to achieving conservation of those areas. In the MP buffer area there is dense vegetation of pine and broadleaved forest species and especially in the northern part of it. This allows the core black pine area to gradually turn into a mixed forest stand and multi-species area.

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1.8 L A N D O W N E R S HI P All the Moronicas Parks areas land ownership (Map 5) belongs to the public and private ownership of buffer zone. The core zone, well worth area is public property with a total area of 21.1 ha. Map of Moronica Nature Park Ownership

M AP 5

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2.

BIODIVERSITY

The Phytocenoses that present scientific value and natural resources for Junik Municipality and Moronica Nature Park are those most of which are present in the Kosovo-Albanian Alps which we can call as park natural self-defense. In river valleys dominate species of willow ( Salix sp) and poplar (Populus spp). The northern area of MP is mostly covered by forests of oak dominate species like Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto), Turkey oak (Quercus cerris), Sessile Oak (Quercus petreae), Downy Oak (Quercus pubescent) and chestnut (Castanea sativa) belonging to the order Quercetalia pubescentis. The presence of Thermophiles oak forests include considerable area of forest within Junik, which liee on altitude of 300-1200 m. In the mountainous massifs where the greatest impact continental climate, these forests developed mainly in southern and southwestern expositions. These forests except the Central European plant species are rich with Mediterranean and Sub Mediterranean species. These forests belong to the class Querco-Fagetea to the order Quercetalia pubescentis and to the alliances: Ostryo-Carpinion orientalis, Quercion frainetto and Quercion petraea-cerris. Within the thermophiles oak forests in Kosovo fall phytocenosis: Quercetum trojanae, Quercetum frainetto cerris scardicum, Quercetum montanum, Ostryo-Quercetum cerris, Quercetum pubescentis cerris and Lembotropo-Quercetum cerris. In these forests at different stages acted anthropogenic factor. This move in woods as potential natural vegetation is especially expressed in phytocenosis: Quercetum trojanae, Quercetum pubescentis cerrisand Quercetum farnetto cerris scardicum.

2.1 V E GE T A T I O N The site vegetation of Moronica Nature Park (Map 6) is composed mostly of the planted black pine or Austrian Pine, (Pinus nigra-Arnold) and is buffered with mixed broadleaved species like: chestnut (Castanea sativa-L), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus-L), oaks species, several grass-spp., and is evidenced a natural pine regeneration within shelters of the forest stand. The average altitude of the site is: 600 m.

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Vegetation Map

M AP 6

The dominant species of the site and vegetation species of the understory and in the buffer zone identified are . (Table 3)

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Floristic species of Moronica Park Nr. Latin name Nr. Latin name
Carpinus Corylus Cornus mass Prunus prostrata Ostria carpinifolia Ligustrum vulgare

Nr.

Latin name
Lychnis Tunica

Nr.

Latin name
Asperula Hypericum

1 Pinus nigra 2
Quercus cerris

16 betulus

31 viscaria 32 saxifrage 33 flamula 34 35

Clematis Aster albanicus Dorychnium pentaphyllum

46 aristata

17 colurna 18 19 20 21

47 perforatum 48 vulgaris 49 50 51
Tanacetum Arimonia agrimonioides Seseli elatum Stachys scardica Santalus Brachipodium sylvaticum Koeleria splendens Trifolium medium Asplenium adianthumnigrum Pteridium aquilinum Laburnum sp. Cichorium inthybus Sanguisorba minor

3 Quercus petraea 4 5 6 7 8
Castanea sativa Acer monspesulanum Acer tataricum Acer tataricum Fraxinus ornus Sorbus

36 Mashroom 37 Festuca sp. 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

Potentilla reptans Teuchrium reptans Crepis sp. Brachipodium sp. Cynanchum huteri Osyris alba Achillea millefolium Ononis spinosa

22 Rosa canina 23
Rosa spp. Prunus

52 albus 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

9 torminalis 10 11 12
Ligustrum vulgaris Malus dasiphyllus Acer tataricum

24 prostrata 25 26 27 28
Pistacia terebinthus Clematis flamula Pimpinella saxifraga Daucus carota Centaurea Lotus corniculatus

13 Rosa canina 14 Cornus mass 15

Prunus prostrata

29 jacea 30

T ABLE 3

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2.2 F A U N A

INVENTORY

Is very difficult to determine inventory of fauna because the rumor intimidate the species and one species can be count many times especially birds, lizard, butterfly. These is an approximately value of Moronica Nature Park fauna (Table 4) during 12 days of observation. It requires being complete with another study for a period of six months minimum. . Fauna inventory of Moronica Nature Park (On site inventory)

No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

English name Greater noctule bat Lesser noctule Lolas blue Easern Baton Blue Snail Lizard Weasel Owl Swallow Viper Blackbird Turtles Falcon Dove

Latin name Nyctalus lasiopterus Nyctalus leisleri Iolana iolas Pseudophilotes vicrama Helix aspersa spp. Lacertilia spp. Mustela spp. Strigiformes spp. Hirundinidae spp. Viperida spp. Turdus merula spp. Cryptodira spp. Falco spp. Columbidae spp.
T ABLE 4

Nr. of species 4 10 4 3 11 26 1 3 5 1 7 6 2 19

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2.3. D ESCRIPTION
2.3.1. M A I N

OF HABITA T AND RELATED SPECIE S

HA B I T A T F E A T U R E S , E C O L O G Y A N D VA R I A B I L I T Y

Pinus nigra forests, comprising a variety of subspecies, generally occupy medium and high mountain zones, often on substrates rich in magnesium (dolomites, in the case of the Western subspecies, and dolomites and serpentines in the case of the Eastern subspecies) (Regato et al. 1991). Some sub-types are present on deep soils, but in most cases the soil is superficial and not matures (Sanchez 2005). Mature Pinus nigra forests can develop a high and closed arboreal canopy, with several classes of ages and individuals far above 30 m high, and shady undergrowth. Pinus nigra can occur with other coniferous species, mainly Juniperus species, in areas where pine forest is less thick and there is only a thin intermediate layer with non-evergreen tree and shrub species.In the Moronica park there was grown the black juniper/Common juniper (Juniperus communis, L.). Pinus nigra is a long-lived frugal species able to adapt ecologically and physiologically to very different environmental conditions; it colonizes various ecological niches and plays a leading role in different stages within forest succession.

2.3.2. O V E R V I E W

OF

AUSTRIAN PINE

Latin Name: The species name for this pine tree is Pinus nigra Common Names: Austrian pine, European black pine Preferred zones: This pine tree grows best in zones above 800 m on sea level Size & Shape of Austrian Pine: The tree will form in a pyramidal or oval shape while young and may become irregular as the tree ages. It will grow to be 40-60' tall and 20-40' wide. Exposure: Grow this tree in a location that receives full sun. Foliage/Flowers/Fruit of Austrian Pine: There are two needles in each fascicle. They are 2-6 long and dark green in color. <p>. The tree is mo noecious and the male and female flowers are both yellow to yellowgreen. The female flowers may also come in a purple color. The brown cones are shaped like an egg and measure 2-3" long.

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Design Tips For Austrian Pine: Water regularly for the first year. After that period, this pine will have some resistance to drought. If you live in an urban area, you may want to consider one of these trees. They are able to handle salt in the air, as well as pollution and other problems found in the city atmosphere. Growing Tips: The Austrian pine is able to grow in many different types of soil, especially ones that can be considered difficult, like clay or sand. Maintenance/Pruning: As always, you can remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches on the tree. Otherwise, there should be little pruning involved in the upkeep of your tree unless you need to remove branches over a street or walkway. Austrian Pine form Features: Evergreen needles. Culture: Full sun; moist, well drained soils; tolerates dry sites, alkaline soils, salt. Cultivars: (P. nigra, var. austriaca) Mature Height: 40-60 Feet Size: Medium, Large Mature Form: Open, broad- spreading, with a flat top. Native To: Europe and Asia Soil Conditions: Dry, Moist, Well-Drained Bedrock: Limestone, Dolomitic-Limestone, Sedimentary, Tolerance: Alkaline Soil, Dry Sites, Salt, Wind Exposure/Light Requirements: Full Sun Uses: Screen, Specimen, Wind Break Foliage Color: Green Fall Foliage Color: Green Pests and Problems Environmental damage Drought Drowning and Edema
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Fungal disease Cankers on Pine (Botryosphaeria spp. and other canker fungi) Diplopia Tip Blight & Canker (Diplodia pinea (Sphaeropsis sapinea)) Dothistroma Needle Blight (Dothistroma septospora) Lophodermium Needle Cast (Lophodermium sp.) Sooty Mold (Numerous genus and species) Wood Rots and Decays (Many genus and species involved)

Insect damage Processionary moth (Thaumatopoea pityocampa-Schiff) Pine Needle Scale (Phenacaspis pinifoliae) Pine Root Collar Weevil (Hylobius radicis) Pine Sawfly (Neodiprion lecontei)

2.3.3. D I A G N OS T I C

I N T R O D U C T I ON F O R

T HA U M E T O P OE A

PI T Y OC A M PA

Thaumetopoea pityocampa is a pest of Pinus, Cedrus and Larix.The caterpillars cause severe damage to pine plantations, especially in warm districts and low altitudes. Young pine plantations are the most susceptible, and may be completely destroyed if the attack is severe enough. Less severe larval feeding damage can pave the way for harmful secondary pests and pathogens. Mature trees may suffer reductions in growth but are rarely killed outright by the pest. The hosts vary in their susceptibility to attack. In order of pest preference, the hosts include the genus Pinus (Pinus nigra var. austriaca, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra var. laricio, Pinus pinea, Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinaster, Pinus canariensis), followed by Cedrus atlantica and finally Larix decidua. The Austrian pine (Figure 12) is able to withstand many of the conditions, like pollution and salinity in the air that may make life for other urban trees harder.

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Summary These forests, often thick and dominated by various subspecies of Pinus nigra, are found at mountainousMediterranean level on dolomitic substrate (EC 2007). This habitat type occurs at a few sites in the EU and has a fragmented distribution area. Mature Pinus nigra forests can develop a high and closed arboreal canopy, and have several age classes and trees well over 30 meters high, as well as a shaded understory. These black pine forests both protect against erosion and torrential floods and act as a carbon sink practically all year round. The main threats to Pinus nigra forests include unsustainable cutting for production purposes (particularly timber), the spread of exotic species, and defoliation by insect pests especially Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Figure 13) overgrazing, fires and genetic pollution. Management of pine forest containing endemic black pines should involve adequate representation of associated species and formation of irregular structures, containing trees of various ages, including very old specimens in order to secure genetic variability and an appropriate amount of dead wood. The importance of maintaining a certain volume of dead wood to assure biodiversity conservation and forest functionality has been acknowledged at international level. Control of Thaumetopoea pityocampa infestations can be dealt with directly by, for example, aerial and ground spray treatments and by indirect measures such as thinning, cleaning, pruning and weeding, plus the use of pine tree species resistant to caterpillar attack. Extensive and controlled grazing is advisable inside pine forest in an effort to balance the positive and negative effects (fire prevention and disappearance of species associated with the habitat, respectively). To reduce the risk of genetic pollution, it is important to avoid planting black pines of unknown origin in the proximity of autochthonous pinewoods as intraspecific hybridization can easily occur among different subspecies of black pine. The management of the black pine forests should also take into consideration the requirements of the associated fauna of conservation value such as the biggest European raptor, the cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus ), which nests on flat-topped Pinus nigra trees in a large part of its distribution area, and a small passerine bird, the Site whitehead which feeds on insects and pine seeds, and nests in holes in old trees. In particular, old and mature trees should be favored for their survival and the period of the year for carrying out the silvicultural interventions should be accurately planned, as the human activity can compromise the success of their breeding.

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Pinus nigra photo(healthy-left, affected by the Thaumetopoea pityocampa right)

F IGURE 12

F IGURE 13

2.4 F O R E S T R Y Potential forest in Kosovo level is 41.8%% with around 455,000 ha. Forests (respectively forestry culture where are include trees mass in agriculture lend) in Junik Municipality cover an area of 3197ha (41% of the territory of Junik). In private sector is around 22% of forestry. Around 50% of forest is young around the age of 30 years old with different wood species of Beech, Chestnut, Oak and Alder. Most common types are: beech (prevalent in 79% of forest area), coniferous: Black Pine, common spruce, fir and black alder (about 20% of public forests). Chestnut, oak and alder are mostly privately owned, while birch and other deciduous and coniferous mainly are in public sector and in small area. Total forest area, 4266 ha, of which, State Forests: 3339.99 ha, 78% of the surface. 50% are young forests, afforestation, 30-year-old Natural high forest-public are: 2496 ha (74%) of the total surface), and, Plantations: 214 ha (6.4% of the total surface), and, Low-coppice forests are: 243 ha (7.3% of the total surface), Shrubs: 10 ha Land available for afforestation: 245 ha Private Forests: 1415 ha

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Species: spruce/picea, Macedonian pine, Bosnian Pine, black pine, beech, chestnut, oak, Common Alder, maple, fir, Annual growth: 5.7 m3/ha/year Annual growth in the Municipalitys forests: 16900 m3, and, Average volume per 1 ha: 226 m3;

Forest categories Forest land use system Forest category High forests Low/coppice forests Plantation forests Bushes Forest land for forestation Other land % 74.9 7.29 6.42 0.3 7.34 3.83

G RAPH 2

T ABLE 5

(Source: Municipal Development Plan of Junik 2011-2023)

The forest stands crown density is 0.8 and there are inventoried 1000-1200 trees /ha and the trees average height is 15-16 m. There are evidenced some sporadic illegal logging in the site and understory trees cutting from the forest department. There are evidenced also the pine trees needles yellowness which is due to the
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plantation which is out of its habitat/areal. The site has been penetrated from fire and the understory has been burned and there are rare or almost scarce of understory and grass vegetation grown. The site is surrounded: in the North from broadleaved forest which belongs to the private owners, in the southern part from the road, in the western part from the road leading to the site and in the eastern part from Erenik river. For all types there are optimal conditions for growing trees of high quality. Annual growth of woody plants throughout the forest area is ~ 5.07m 3/ha. The potential of forestry development in Junik in favor of the timber industry development and final processing is not yet explored. Currently they are used for production of wood for fire wood as the market and proper organization of a considerable amount of beech forests used for wood industry needs is missing.(based on data from Spatial Plan of Kosovo, 2009 and SNV 2011). On the other hand the difficulties in developing of this sector are seen also in forest management competencies that were recently delegated to the municipalities and so far have been competencies of the central level. Transfer of competencies to protect and use the forest gives us the opportunity to create a new situation, especially in publicly owned forests. It is necessary that the roles and responsibilities for all parties involved to be clarified and understand because forest management needs to address the potential of the area as well as the communitys needs for forest products and services for sustainable management. The current model of forest management to apply to this new situation with decentralized powers to forests is not yet clarified. Capacity building of municipal forest management is essential. Private forest sector is poorly organized and with limited institutionalization, leading to a forestry sector that does not provide the necessary framework and optimal services to the private sector. Most forests have no sustainable management and illegal logging remains a serious problem. In the private sector of the forestry this is because the legal framework for private sector and the decentralization of forest management is not fully regulated. There is a low level of involvement of local actors, such as municipalities and communities in the forestry sector, resulting in limited regulation of forest management related to the needs of these actors and limited opportunities for economic development. Private sector development and decentralization of the forest provides a good opportunity to rural economic development. Especially in faraway areas, the forestry sector is one of sector that provides income and employment opportunities. Currently, due to limited conditions, forests are not used and not managed properly (there is forest degradation and depletion of resources). Appropriate conditions (institutional, social and economic) may change this, where private forests and decentralized are contributing to the rural economy and keeping the forest service to benefit society by contributing to social and economic welfare.

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3. Threats and Protection

Pine forests have some natural enemies which are described by the following, together with measures to preserve the ecosystem. 3.1 F I R E Fire risk in Moronica Nature Park is current. A few years ago fire broke balances of ecosystems and risk seriously the existence of the entire pine forest. The slow decomposition of pine needles and not accumulation of fallen needles in certain parts of controlled burning, constitutes in serious risk of fire with human origin (cigarettes, fire camping ,etc.) and nature origin (thunder ,etc.)

3.2 F I R E P R OT E C T I O N Program encompasses prevention measures, hazard identification and abatement: Fire prevention systems, including fire sprinklers, when properly installed and maintained, save lives and conserve natural objects. The nearby Erenik river and its water in the northern-eastern part of MP and existent access seems to be sufficient for protection in case of a fire. The important se elements to be considered in fire protection are: Prevention measures, hazard identification and abatementusually accomplished through building fire inspections whereby a trained individual inspects buildings for fire hazards and recommends abatement strategies. Fixed fire protection systemsthat both alert occupants of a fire so they can quickly escape and can suppress the fire, holding it in check, until competent firefighting forces arrive. Fire suppression system is a major improvement to visitor safety and resource protection. It provides protection not only to visitors and employees, but also to the historic structure itself and the artifacts inside the park. The MP needs to establish the fire protection and suppression system throughout its area and with special equipments installed within main active areas as: camping site, amphitheater, during promenade and other visitors sites using nearby Ereniks water supply.

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3.3. ECOLOGICAL SERVICES AND BENEFITS OF THE HABITAT

3.3.1. Pests control

Harmful insects include Rhyacionia buoliana (European black pine shoot moth), Sphaeropsis sapinea (tip blight) and Dothistroma septospora (a needle blight known as the red band disease). But the pine processionary caterpillars of the genus Thaumetopoea, is the most important insect pests of pine forest in the European Mediterranean countries. Defoliation caused by these insects weakens and reduces the growth of pines, and the hairs of the larvae can cause severe irritation to humans and animals. Outbreaks pose a considerable threat to young trees, which may be completely defoliated. For trees weakened by defoliation, death may be direct or more often indirect, following a secondary infestation by bark beetles. The damage is extremely serious. As an example, Thaumetopea spp. has affected about 16% of the pine forest in Albania, and in 1994 this pest spread to about 70.000 ha, with intensities of attack ranging from 5 to 95%. (Source: MANAGEMENT of Nature 2000 habitats: (Sub-) Mediterranean pine forests with endemic black pine (2008).

3.3.2.

Harmful insects

Harmful insects include Rhyacionia buoliana (European black pine shoot moth), Sphaeropsis sapinea (tip blight) and Dothistroma septospora (a needle blight known as the red band disease). But the pine processionary caterpillars of the genus Thaumetopoea, is the most important insect pests of pine forest in the European Mediterranean countries.

3.3.3. Invasive alien species

Pinewoods in Moronica Park are mixed by an exotic species: black locust( Robinia pseudoacacia) which should not be promoted to spread out and avoid MPs invasion.

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3.4.

CLIMATE

C H A N GE E F FE C T S

Climate changes compounded with the exodus from the countryside are likely to diminish Mediterranean forest cover, which would be replaced by fire-prone shrub communities. This could be aggravated by outbreaks of pathogens, fires and other large-scale disturbances (Resco de Dios et al. 2007). For instance, rising temperatures are encouraging the upward spread of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Hodar et al. 2003).Its distribution area is rapidly changing in accordance with climate change because caterpillars develop during the winter and are sensitive to higher temperatures at that stage. In a recent study in Greece, experts from the Aegean University used a forest dynamics model, developed and parameterised for the climatic conditions and forest species of the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin to identify potential impacts of climate change on the structure of forest communities in the transition zone between Mediterranean and temperate climate. The results indicate that Pinus nigra forests tend to colonise areas at higher altitudes, disappearing from the lower ones only when fire frequency increases. At 900 m altitude the normal successional pathway is from P. nigra to Italian oak (Quercus frainetto) vegetation, and no significant change in the abundance and dynamics ofthese two species is forecast due to climate change without an increase in fire frequency, as both species are quite drought-tolerant. But when climatic change is followed by an increase in fire frequency, Q. frainetto seems to perform better as a result of its resprouting ability and greater heat requirements. At 1,300 m altitude, the number of P. nigra, normally replaced by Abies borisii-regis (Bulgarian fir) rises due to climate changes, in particular when there is also an increase in fires.(Sources: MANAGEMENT of Natura 2000 habitats: (Sub-) Mediterranean pine forests with endemic black pine (2008).

3.5 P R OT E C T I ON

A G A I N S T E R O S I ON

Black pine forests play a protective role against erosion and torrential. They reduce soil erosion due to rain flow by a factor of up to 107 in comparison with bare terrain. In the very eastern part ( Figure 14) there is an area of about 500 m2hitchis partially sided and with collapsing soil and eroded by the effects of the rainfall and Erenik river overflows. A critically important and often-overlooked factor in erosion protection and trail construction is that of drainage. This area needs to be rehabilitated by filling with stone and wire gabion wall and planting saplings of the existing vegetation and seeding herbaceous vegetation to stabilize and avoid further jeopardizing collapse and soil erosion and to preserve the vegetation.

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There are three general types of drainage problems on trails. The first is accumulation of water to the point that the trail is unusable. The second is erosion from moving water on the trail. The third is the creation of local mud spots.
Eroded surface

F IGURE 14

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4. CONSERVATION

M A N A GE M E N T

4.1 S I T E

P R OT E C T I O N A N D C ON S E R V A T I O N M E A S U R E S

The parks development plan will strengthen the management of the terrestrial resources of MP by undertaking a capacity-building program for park staff, implementation of a zoning system and implementing a series of regulations adapted for each zone (see zoning map). The project will also strengthen the enforcement of these regulations by initiating a skills development program for enforcement personnel, and investing in support equipment (e.g, radios, etc). The current priority is clearly to halt the destructive activities, falling trees etc. in and around MP areas, although the enforcement of terrestrial resource use regulations will also need to be addressed, to stop the poaching of game and the destruction of the mangrove habitats in the park. Legal provisions. LAW NO. 03/L-233: "Nature Conservation", September, 30, 2010 Conservation Management Impacts and Mitigation Measure PROJECT ELEMENT 1. Conservation management Sub-components: 1.1.Develop capacity building for park staff 1.2.Rehabilitation and species management 1.2.Research to support conservation management 1.3.Implementation of zonation system and resource use regulations 1.4.Strengthen enforcement regime Impacts or Risks Responses or Mitigation Measures Positive Impacts: Responses: - local communities see wisdom of - local communities willing to improved natural resource adapt management to achieve their resource use patterns to conservation objectives, and conform to park conservation recognize advantages to them management - effective zoning enforcement objectives/programs, in line -------------------------------------------- with zoning system Negative Impacts: ------------------------------------- enforcement negatively perceived ------by local communities with Mitigation measures: consequent loss of support for the - set clear rules of engagement project for - difficulties in developing and enforcement, base training on obtaining new legal tools impedes them, effective enforcement and follow them rigorously, - inadequate enforcement outside link the enforcement to stakeholder park will lead to increasing consultations and grievance pressures over the parks resources procedures - new threats to MPs biodiversity - continuous monitoring and emerge and prevention measures evaluation of resources and
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programs should be taken permanently;

resource use will be an important part of the projects adaptive management approach in addressing new risks to biodiversity - all major construction will be subject to public opinion and (EIA) process for identification of impacts and suitable mitigation to address impacts minor research or management installations will be undertaken conforming to the park management plan, and accepted best practice for park design and construction.

T ABLE 6

4.2 T O U R I S M

M A N A G E M E N T A N D S U S T A I N A B L E FI N A N C I N G

The study will establish appropriate roles and responsibilities for park authorities, local communities, private sector operators and other relevant bodies in the pursuit of coordinated and sustainable management. The proposal will involve the development and implementation of a marketing strategy for MP and some improvements in the tourism facilities and services available in the park. The study will also carry out studies to determine the carrying capacity of MP for a range of tourism activities and resource uses, and will establish impact mitigation plans and guidelines for tourism development in the buffer zone. The study will develop the MP zoning divided into distinguished zones for: recreation, picnicking, amphitheater, pedestrian areas etc. The sustainable financing strategy will include implementation of a park entrance fee system, therefore a gate fee per person and supplements these with a conservation fee and other fees for selected activities. A large share of this revenue will be retained for direct support to park initiatives such as enforcement, zoning, monitoring, and staff training. The study will negotiate revenue-sharing terms of the gate fee with the district, municipal government in the context of the emerging decentralization policies, to channel a proportion of park revenue to local development initiatives.

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4.3

VISITOR

I N F O R M A T I ON S HE E T

Mirsevini n Kullat e Junikut! Freskohuni me ujin e Erenikut! Pushoni n Moronic! Ngjituni n Gjeravic!

Welcome to the Juniks towers ! Freshen-up with Ereniks water! Rest in Moronica! Climb up to Gjeravica

WELCOME TO MORONICA NATURE PARK

WALKING IN FRESH AIR

CAMPING AND FRESH WATER

AMPHITHEATRE AND SERENITY

A WELCOMING PLACE, GOOD AND SAFE ACCESS

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4.4

P A N E L S I GN S

The Moronica Park has opened amity -entry access and they should be under control for visitors and tourist management. There are no high fences, ditches and bridges have been used to limit easy access from the play park out to the street and road. The visitors recreational areas reflects the demand for an new guidance: A Guide to Parks Tourists/Visitors Information (Tourist Guide Sheet) which should be produced based on legal framework of nature conservation and this baseline environmental and biodiversity study. New paths installed and existing paths rehabilitated and furniture with safety facilities. A circular hard surfaced walk around the middle tier with measurement markers makes the site accessible and allows all year round enjoyment of the park, and also from the middle tier to the top tier allows safe pedestrian access to the Park. There are no buildings on site; however the new signs on site display contact numbers, email address and the postal address for Moronica Park should be installed. In case of emergencies there should be built special emergencies entrance/s A new Park Signage for Moronica park should be produced and installed based on this baseline environmental and biodiversity study and being installed at parks entrance/s. The most common symbols used in trail blazing

G RAPH 3

Natural surface, single track trails will require some ongoing maintenance. However, if the trail is properly designed and constructed, maintenance should be limited to clearing downed trees, trimming back brush and clearing drainages. Depending on location, if the trail is properly designed, there should be no need for major rework such as grading or erosion control efforts. However, mountain trails which see both significant rainfall and human traffic may require "trail hardening" efforts in order to prevent further erosion. Most of the seemingly natural rock steps on the mountain trails of the northeast United States are, in fact, the work of professional and volunteer trail crews.
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A welcoming Place, Good and Safe Access The Moronica Park has opened amity -entry access and they should be under control for visitors and tourist management. There are no high fences, ditches and bridges have been used to limit easy access from the play park out to the street and road. The visitors recreational areas reflects the demand for an new guidance: A Guide to Parks Tourists/Visitors Information (Tourist Guide Sheet) which should be produced based on legal framework of nature conservation and this baseline environmental and biodiversity study. Good Signage Park Signage: There are no buildings on site; however the new signs on site display contact numbers, email address and the postal address for Moronica Park should be installed. In case of emergencies there should be built special emergencies entrance/s A new Park Signage for Moronica park should be produced and installed based on this baseline environmental and biodiversity study and being installed at parks entrance/s. Maintenance Natural surface, single track trails will require some ongoing maintenance. However, if the trail is properly designed and constructed, maintenance should be limited to clearing downed trees, trimming back brush and clearing drainages. Depending on location, if the trail is properly designed, there should be no need for major rework such as grading or erosion control efforts. However, mountain trails which see both significant rainfall and human traffic may require "trail hardening" efforts in order to prevent further erosion. Most of the seemingly natural rock steps on the mountain trails of the northeast United States are, in fact, the work of professional and volunteer trail crews. Park Trails Trail Way-finding and Signage The MP Service will work in consultation with residents Junik Municipality to develop and implement an accurate and comprehensive trail way-finding system as MP Signage System for the dwelling areas, (including trail names, markers and maps), to improve park accessibility and safety which will be in keeping with the community's desire for unobtrusive and rustic park signage. Main Trails: Tourists and visitors trail which will be clearly defined, well used and provide main connections to all other trails within the park area. These trails will be identified on maps with specific trail names, identified with markers, and be multi-use (pedestrian, cycling, horseback riding). Side Trails: In the MP existing narrow trails which currently receive infrequent use and provide access through environmentally sensitive areas within the park area will be the visitors and tourist passes for entering the park. While being referenced on the park trails map and designated with trail markers, side
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trails will be named and will be limited to pedestrian and cyclist use only. Some existing side trails that create trespassing issues will not be signed or maintained. Trail difficulty ratings A simple colored symbol to classify a trail's difficulty was first used for ski trails and is now being used for hiking, bicycle, other trails and even airport security lines. Green circle - easy Blue square - moderate Black diamond - difficult Other systems may be used in different locations. Segregation Trail segregation, the practice of designating certain trails as having a specific preferred or exclusive use, is increasingly common and diverse. For example, segregated cycle facilities, for bicycles, are used not only on roads open to motor vehicles, but also in trail systems open to other trail users. Some trails are segregated for use by both equestrians and mountain bikes or by equestrians only, or by mountain bikes only. Designated "wilderness area" trails may be segregated for non-wheeled use (hence permit backpacking and horses but exclude mountain bikes and motorized vehicles). Often, trail segregation for a particular use is accompanied by prohibitions against that use on other trails within the trail system. Trail segregation may be supported by signage, markings, trail design and construction (especially selection of tread materials), and by separation between parallel treads. Separation may be achieved by "natural" barriers including distance, ditching, banking, grading, and vegetation, and by "artificial" barriers including fencing, curbing, and walls. The opposite of segregated use is shared use. Shared use may be achieved by sharing a trail easement, but within it maintaining segregated and sometimes also separated trail treads. This is common in rail trails. Shared use may also refer to alternate day arrangements, whereby two uses are segregated by being permitted on alternate days. This is increasingly common in long-distance trails shared by equestrians and mountain bike users; these two user communities have similar trail requirements but may experience encounters with each other on the trail as difficult. Trail administration A trail may be completely contained within one administration (e.g. a State Parks management team) or it may pass through multiple administrations, leading to a confusing array of regulations, allowing dogs or mountain bikes in one segment but not in another, or requiring wilderness permit for a portion of the trail.
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Trail construction While many trails have arisen through common usage, quality trail design and construction is a complex process requiring certain sets of skills. When a trail passes across a flat area that is not wet, often all that is required is to clear brush, tree limbs and undergrowth to produce a clear, walkable trail. When crossing streams, bridges may or may not be desirable, depending on the size of the stream and the depth of its banks. In wet areas, it may be necessary to create an elevated trailway with fill or by building a boardwalk. One problem with boardwalks is that they require frequent maintenance and replacement - boards in poor condition are often slippery and hazardous.

Trails on slopes A common mistake in establishing trails is to make them on slopes that are too steep for comfort and the environment. Such steep trails generally result in serious erosion, a wide swath of impacted area as walkers go to the sides to find better footing, and the inability of many hikers to walk the trail. Trail gradient should be determined based on a site specific assessment of soils and geology, drainage patterns of the slope, surrounding vegetation types, position on the slope of a given trail segment (bottom, mid-slope, ridgeline), average precipitation, storm intensities, types of use, volume & intensity of use, and a host of other factors affecting the ability of the trail substrate to resist erosion and provide a navigable surface. Trails that ascend steep slopes may use switchbacks, but switchback design and construction is a specialized topic that takes great care. If a trail is being made to be accessible to off-road wheelchairs, the grade should be no more than one in ten. If a paved trail has to be accessible to all wheelchairs, the grade must be no more than one in twelve, with periodic level pull-offs. The off-slope, or side-slope, of the trail also must be considered. This is the slope of the trail from side to side, and should never be more than one in twelve. Side-sloped trails are prone to gullying. Ideally, the tread way of the trail should be almost, but not quite, level in cross-section. Achieving the proper slope in hilly terrain usually requires the excavation of side hill trail. This is trail way that is constructed by establishing a line of suitable slope across a hillside, then digging out by means of a mattock or similar tool to create the trail. This may be a full-bench trail, where the tread way is only on the firm ground surface after the overlying soil is removed and side cast (thrown to the side as waste), or a half-bench trail, where soil is removed and packed to the side so that the tread way is half on firm old ground and half on new packed fill. In areas near drainages, creeks and other waterways, excavation spoils
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should be end-hauled (taken away in bulk and deposited in an environmentally benign area). In problem areas, it may be necessary to establish the trail entirely on fill. In cases where filling is used, it's necessary to pack it firmly and to revisit the site periodically to add to the fill and repack it until fully stable. Slope Map

M AP 7

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Drainage A critically important and often-overlooked factor in trail construction is that of drainage. There are three general types of drainage problems on trails. The first is accumulation of water to the point that the trail is unusable. The second is erosion from moving water on the trail. The third is the creation of local mud spots. The first type of drainage problem is common in places such as the north country. In such places, it is often necessary to build some type of raised walkway. This is often done by cutting poles from the woods, staking parallel poles in place on the ground, then filling between them with whatever material is available to create the raised walkway. The more elaborate option of the deckwalk is by necessity reserved for shorter stretches in very high-traffic areas. The second type of problem is caused because trails, by their nature, tend to become drainage channels and eventually gullies if the drainage is not properly controlled. Where a trail is near the top of a hill or ridge, this is usually a minor issue, but when it is farther down it can become a very major issue. In areas of heavy water flow along a trail, it may be necessary to create a ditch on the uphill side of the trail with drainage points across the trail. The cross-drainage may be accomplished by means of culverts, which must be cleared on a semi-annual basis, or by means of cross-channels, often created by placing logs or timbers across the trail in a downhill direction, called "thank-you-marms", "dead men", or water bars. Using timbers or rocks for this purpose also creates erosion barriers. Rock paving in the bottom of these channels and in the trailside ditches may help to maintain stability of these. Ideally, water bars should be created, with or without ditching, at major points of water flow on or along the trail, and in conjunction, if possible, with existing drainage channels below the trail. Another important technique is to create Coweta dips, or drain dips, points on the trail where it falls briefly (for a meter or so) and then rises again. These provide positive drainage points that are almost never clogged by debris. The third type of problem can occur both on bottomlands and on ridge tops and a variety of other spots. A local spot or short stretch of the trail may be chronically wet. If the trail is not directly on rock, then a mud pit forms. Trail users go to the side of the trail to avoid the mud pit, and the trail becomes widened, sometimes bizarrely so. If the drainage can be corrected, it must be. A common option if the location cannot be effectively drained is the "corduroy." This can range from random sticks laid across the path to split logs being laid across the path. Some of the early turnpikes in the United States were log corduroys, and these can still be found in third-world forested areas. With recreational trails, it is common to cut sticks that may be one to three inches thick and lay them in place, as close together as can be achieved. Sometimes, a short bridge may be a more feasible option.

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Pathways exposed to corrosion

F IGURE 15

F IGURE 16

Water crossings For pedestrian use, footbridges may be preferred. Other options are culverts, stepping stones, and shallow fords. For equestrian use, shallow fords may be preferred. Trail width Trail width has two main components: width of the trail base or foot bed; and width of the clear space on either side of the trail, as in cuts on steep slopes, tunnels, and through vegetation. Variants in width include single track and two track trails. Multi-use trails Trails intended for use by bicycles, wheelchairs, equestrians, and pedestrians will often be surfaced, especially in heavily-used or urban areas. A wide variety of surface materials are used, including asphalt paving and compressed dust such as: crushed rock fines, cinders, or decomposed granite. Such trails will also have well-built bridges with a supported deck and side rails. There has been a major effort to convert abandoned railroad grades to bike paths or multi-use paths. This has been termed "rails-totrails". Railroads in use with adjacent trails are rails with trails. Well Maintained and Clean: There are no buildings or toilet facilities on site and within new settlements installed they should be associated with environmental impact assessment and environmental facilities installed.

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Management. Moronica Park is managed by Junik Municipality forestry structure within Directorate of Urban Development. The Park Management is overseen by the Directorate of Urban Development. Day to Day issues such as damage to fences and infrastructure are dealt with by the Parks management team. The parks strategic sustainable management remains as responsibility of the Directorate of Urban development of the Junik Municipality. The Municipality anticipates every year the parks maintenance and protection budget within Urban development Budget Plan. Amenities Park amenities will be installed at key locations throughout the Moronica Parks area that both suit and enhance the park's wilderness recreation experience. Only park amenities that enhance the park's recreational function with no negative impact on its ecological and cultural values will be installed along main trails and accesses. The following amenities are allowed inside the parks area: entrance signage, trail signage or markers, and rustic benches. Parking Areas Parking areas will be developed outside the parks area boundary to minimize impact to park neighbours and to provide a safe and accessible staging area for all park users, with minimal disturbance to the park's natural and cultural values Emergency Access Route An emergency access route through the parks area will be designated and maintained in collaboration with the Parks Management Staff, approved by the Urban Development Directorate of the Junik Municipality

4.6

D E M O GR A P HI C

PR O F I L E

The latest official data of the Statistical Office of Kosovo (SOK) (2009) of the survey Population, household economies, according to the settlements and territorial organization of Kosovo until 2008, indicate that Junik, as a settlement, has 624 household economies, 5423 resident members, 1427 construction buildings; whereas, the villages Jasiq - Gjocaj have 2 household economies and a total number of 7 members and 38 construction buildings. The table below (Table 7) indicates the data on population according to age and gender. More than 50 % population is under 26 years old. Gender ratio is almost balanced (F:M=50.26 %: 49.74 %). The population comprises of Albanian ethnicity Population according to age and gender based on on-site analysis. (Including diaspora).

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Table 5. Population according to age and gender Population according to age and gender 1-7 8-18 19 - 25 26 - 40 41 - 64 >65

7.06% 6.54% 9.92% 10.46% 8.48% 7.71% 12.70% 11.67% 8.60% 8.95% 2.98% 4.93%

M 16.19%

M 24.37%

M 17.55%

M 7. 91%

13.60%

20.38%

T ABLE 7

4.7 P U B L I C E D U C A T I O N A N D C ON S U L T A T I O N Collaborative management and ongoing consultation. The objective of establishing collaborative management in MP is improving the effectiveness of park management through the adoption of a collaborative management approach, involving all key stakeholder groups. A collaborative management approach will be developed for MP, based on a combination of mechanisms, agreements, and institutions to foster effective partnerships between key stakeholder groups. This will include: (i) Collaborating of interested stakeholders to run local nature tourism in the park, (ii) a collaborative management agreement between them and local government to define the responsibilities for park management; and (iii) a series of communication mechanisms to involve local community and private sector stakeholders. An independent and transparent grievance mechanism will be set up to address complaints that cannot be resolved through the regular communication and coordination mechanisms, and an awareness-raising program will encourage the collaboration of local communities in promoting conservation messages and undertaking on-the-ground conservation activities.

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4.8 F I N A N C I A L F R A M E W OR K This component will involve the following elements: (i) research and development into the sustainable use of nature park through alternative management approaches (ii) a small grant fund to address urgent community-defined welfare needs (iii)support for sustainable enterprise development by local community members, through the provision of technical assistance. This fund will be administered locally by a the Directorate of Urban Development, which will review funding proposals from MPs management team within the park and buffer zone. The parks development plan should avoid the involuntary resettlement as defined under the MP management Guidelines. Traditional, sustainable resource harvesting will not be allowed and apply nature conservation traditional zone use. Physical relocation from communities inside the Park will only be encouraged by positive incentives. The MP management staff will continue the awareness raising activities based on park management program for communicating conservation measures to the local communities. Young people and environmental NGOs should be included to assist in socio-cultural-economic base-line surveys, and assisting with awareness rising Mechanisms will build on the successful on-going consultations organized by the MP and will focus on two groups (i) communities in and around the park, and (ii) locally-based tourism operators. Locally the activities should be allowed through the existing and effective community-based communication and decision-making the Local Government, Assembly. The parks management should pay particular attention to organizing stakeholders to represent themselves at meetings of this organization and will identify steps needed to ensure the forum provides effective inputs for collaborative management. It is essential for the parks capacity strengthening to rapidly extend park management capabilities. A strategy to achieve staff capacity building will involve the following initiatives: Assessing staff needs of the MP, reviewing the current staff and assessing their ability and willingness to be retrained to fit their new and expanded roles; Retraining, recruitment and repositioning of staff, as necessary; and Developing a personnel management system, including staff incentive programs and merit based career structure

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4.9. Community Consultations The effectiveness of many of the proposed activities to achieve the MP management objectives will depend upon cooperation and active participation of MP surroundings community residents. The MP management team will build on an extensive experience in community consultation. To ensure that the community awareness programscould facilitate the parks maintenance and long-term management. The management team should build and follow up the regular and permanent public consultations and synergy with local environmental NGOs and interested stakeholders for a better and sustainable management of Moronica Park.

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5. G E N E R A L I T I E S

O N M ON I T O R I N G A N D E V A L U A T I ON

In this context, the main functions of the monitoring and evaluation plan are to promote adaptive management, improve project planning, and promote accountability. Correspondingly, a wide range of survey and monitoring questions will be addressed. The social and environmental indicators will feed back into the adaptive management process on an annual basis. This will ensure that outcomes are compared to project objectives and necessary changes are made in future decisions. Monitoring Questions: Is the collaborative management structure (CMS) effective? What changes are occurring to overall environmental determinants? Has the MP resource management been strengthened? What changes have occurred in socio-economic dynamics in and around the MP? Have alternative livelihood strategies been developed and are they successful? Have the legislation changes been concluded, and has enforcement been strengthened? Is the long-term conservation strategy being implemented as planned? What is the overall achievement of the Management Plan? What changes in the terrestrial animal populations are occurring? What changes in vegetation are occurring? Are mangrove habitats stable and protected? Monitoring and EvaluationImpacts and Mitigation Measures Monitoring and evaluation Development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation plan Impacts or Risks Positive Impacts: Responses or Mitigation Measures Responses: - confidence in the collaborative - monitoring programs management initiative produce a reliable information - sponsoring institutions assured of base concerning all aspects of conduct of the operations of park park management, all programs being undertaken,
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Biological and resource use monitoring

and the operations of the tourism - biological monitoring enables sound natural resource management, and assists in decisions concerning natural resource and site carrying capacity Negative Impacts: - potential for insufficient or inadequate monitoring - poor record keeping and information

management, joint venture, tourism concession, etc - scientific credibility of natural resource management, and biodiversity and habitat conservatio programs undertaken isestablished -------------------------------------------Mitigation Measures: - a high priority will be given to rigorous monitoring, including constant assessment of adequacy and innovation - rigorous protocols and procedures for information gathering, storage, archiving and retrieval will be addressed on an ongoing basis

Collaborative management monitoring and evaluation

Reporting and Certification

5.1 P A R A M E T E R S ( I N D I C A T OR S ) T O B E M E A S U R E D This program is an integrated and adaptive monitoring program that aims to inform Moronicas Park of its management effectiveness by learning to read the signs of the environmental health of parks at a local. It will be developed across all habitat types and multiple geographic locations and is proposed to roll-out in the near future (Moronica Parks, Environmental Study, 2013). The program is likely to involve three types of indicators: environmental, threat and efficiency indicators (see Tab. 5). The monitoring program primarily is concerned with the first two of these as the third is related to management activities and is beyond the scope of this report. The third type of indicator will be discussed in the latest State of the Parks Report (Moronica Parks, Environmental Study, 2013). However those considered in this report include measurements of selected
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species extent, species number (diversity), number of individuals of selected species, size of individuals of selected species, rates of recruitment of new individuals into a population or interactions between selected species in park vegetation communities. These indicators will be primarily used for comparison with reference areas to measure the performance of the Nature Protected Area in meeting its objectives. They also have the potential to be used as response indicators to specific threats such as introduced pines pests, impacts from outfalls or catchment-derived pollutants. Further details of the specific parameters measured will be discussed in the sections of this report detailing each individual monitoring approach.

5.2 B A S I C S

OF

M ON I T O R I N G P R O G R A M

Monitoring programs are particularly important to assess the conditions, conservation status and effects of activities or interventions carried out on pine forests. The main attributes to be monitored are: Habitat extent Vegetation structure: cover of characteristic and associated species, including bryophytes and lichens Vegetation composition: frequency of characteristic and associated species Presence and amount of dead wood

The collection and demarcation of habitat type can take place in the context of a site inspection on a scale of 1:10,000. Dissolution accuracy should be at least 0.1 ha). Habitat monitoring can be carried out using the Braun-Blanquet phytosociological methods in sampling areas of 400 m 2.Monitoring programs should accompany the control measures in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures used and eventually to re-balance the interventions to be carried out in the following years. Systematic monitoring of pine processionary caterpillar should be is carried out using pheromone traps and counting the number of males caught to reveal patterns of adult appearance, flight period and an indication of adult population level. This is complemented by field observations and sampling. Monitoring programs are particularly important to assess the conditions, conservation status and effects of activities or interventions carried out on pine forests.

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5.2.1. T HE P A R K S I N V E N T OR Y & M O N I T OR I N G (I&M). At Nature Parks across the country, the Inventory & Monitoring Program is dedicated to providing managers with the information they need to make sound, science based decisions that will help support the Nature Park Service mission of preserving the resources of Kosovos most special and treasured places for future generations. The Inventory &Monitoring Program is designed, and has to be strictly applied with the purpose of providing park managers with a broad-based understanding about the status and trends of parks site biodiversity and overall species and natural amenities to be used in management decision-making, working with other agencies, and communicating with the public. The I&M program implementation has to collect, analyze, synthesize, and supply park managers with reliable scientic information about key park resources, known as vital signs. Vital signs are a subset of physical, chemical, and biological elements and processes of park ecosystems that are selected to represent the overall health or condition of park resources, known or hypothesized e ects of stressors, or elements that have important human values. The primary goals of the I&M Program are to: Inventory Parks biodiversity and overall vegetation to determine their nature and status. Monitor park ecosystems to better understand their dynamic nature and condition and provide reference points for comparison with other environments. Establish natural biodiversity spp. inventory and monitoring as a standard practice throughout the Park System that transcends traditional program, activity, and funding boundaries. Integrate natural resource inventory and monitoring information into Park planning, management, and decision-making. Share Park management accomplishments and information with other natural resource organizations and form partnerships for attaining common goals and objectives.

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5.2.2. M ON I T OR I N G Parameter

PA R A M E T E R S I N D I C A T OR S

Process - Method

Frequency

Analysis,evaluation andpresentation ofelements andinformation

Comments

Climate Temperature Precipitations

Min - Max

Monthly

Tables andombrothermicdiagrams

Ground General Description Natural attributes Chemical attributes Vegetation Trees Bushy Grass Mushrooms Fauna Vertebrates Invertebrates

Weight,Humidity,Structure Determination C, , and pH

Annually

Tables

Complete recording April -May (BraunBlanquet) and July andphotographingTaxonomic August September November and May June Complete recording Annually

Comparative presentation, tables, Photographs

Tables taxonomic

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Damage Biotic Abiotic

Complete recording

Annually

Evaluation of size of damage

Total evaluation, Estimate of Dynamics of Ecosystem

Recording, Estimate of succession

Annually

Presentation of characteristic parameters that is changed

5.3.

A N N U A L M ON I T O R I N G R E P O R T

The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) assesses the extent to which policies are being successfully implemented, monitors the timetable for the preparation of the Local Development Framework, and identifies areas where new or revised policies or Supplementary Planning Documents may be required. Monitoring provisions The Monitoring Provisions involve a comprehensive monitoring program in order to be able to assess program performance, and to determine whether program objectives are being met. The latter includes particular need to identify adverse or negative performance, especially that affecting stakeholders and the community, so that corrective measures can be taken rapidly. It is important that all physical and socio-economic aspects of the MP, buffer zones and wider region are understood through the life of the park. Base-line information will be an important input to the design of monitoring needs. Effective monitoring will focus on the collection of data that will contribute to the ongoing decision making process regarding the physical condition and socio-economic issues of the area. The criteria for selecting specific indicators to address the evaluation aspects include the following: Significance it can detect a change in the conditions that would disrupt either the social or physical system in which the park management program is operating, and which would cause a negative outcome for the program objectives;
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Quantitative quantitative measures are preferred over qualitative; Easily measurable the indicator can be measured by field personnel relatively easily using simple methods, or is available from existing and accessible information; Relevant to concerns the indicator genuinely reflects the concern being tracked; Sensitivity the indicator allows easy detection of changes in conditions that occur in the monitoring timeframe/intervals; Reliability monitoring of the indicator can be carried out in the same way during each monitoring cycle; Responsive to management actions the indicator can detect a change in conditions resulting from management actions; and Cost effective it does not require excessive expenditure on equipment or staff time.

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6. DOCUMENTS CONSULTED

General environmental legislation: Law n.02/L-18 of 23.03.2005 on Nature Conservation; Law n.03/L-025 of 26.02.2009 on Environmental Protection; Law No. 04/L-086 of 13.12.2012 on National Park Bjeshkt e Namuna. Municipal documentation/studies: The current Spatial Development Plans

MESP/INEPP: Group of authors: Study on Bjeshket e Namuna (Accursed mountains/Prokletije), Prishtin, 2003 Co-authors: A. Nikolovski, A. Mehmeti, H.Shabanaj: Regional workshop on implementation of phyto-sanitary standards in forestry, Sarajevo, 15-18 April, 2013; MANAGEMENT of Natura 2000 habitats(Sub-)Mediterranean pine forests with endemic black pines 9530; Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora; Group of authors (1985): Study on the reasonableness of the declaration of a portion of the Cursed Mountains in the Municipality of Peja National Park, Regional Office for the Protection of Nature, Prishtina. Group of authors (1984): Social Rationale for the Announcement of the Rugova Gorge as Natural Monument, Institute for the Protection of Nature, Prishtina. Millaku, F. (1999): Subalpine Flora of Albanian Alps (Kosovo), Doctoral dissertation, University of Prishtina, Prishtina. Rexhepi, F. (1986): Flora of the high mountains of Kosovo, ETMMK, Prishtina. Rexhepi, F. (1994): Vegetation of Kosovo (1), Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Prishtina. Zeneli, L. (1975): Balkan endemic flora of the Alps Mountains, Regional Office for the Protection of Nature, Prishtina. Demiri, M. :Excursionist Flora of Albania, Tiran(1983); Bego, F, Co-authors, National Strategy on Biodiversity and Action Plan on Biodiversity ( SBAP), Tirana, 2000. Metaj, M., Kola, H., Study of Northern Albania Natural Resources and Biodiversity , GIZ/UNEP, Tiran, 2005;

Moronica Nature Park, View of Existing Situation of the Entrance, Study on Bjeshkt e Namuna (Accursed Mountains/Prokletije) IUCN: Guidelines for Protected Areas Management Strategy and Action Plan for Biodiversity, 2011-2020 Kosovo Biodiversity Assessment Report, 2009

Junik Municipal Development Plan; Junik Urban Development Plan; Moronica Park CIP Project Proposal; Local Environmental Action Plan for Junik (LEAP)

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DGFP/DPA/MoEFWA. 2001. Emerald Study, Tirana. IBR. 1995. Study on Albanian Biotops, Tirana. IGS. 2003. Geological Study and Mapping, Instititute of Geological Research, Tirana. IUCN. 1995. The mountains of Central and Eastern Europe. IUCN/WCPA: Protected Araes and NPs Management Guidelines; CGS. 2004. Geographical Atlas of Albania, Centre for Geographic Studies, Tirana.

Coordinate system As the basis for mapping, the use of aerial photographs taken no more than 5 years previously is recommended.(ETRS_1989_Kosovo_Grid) ETRS_1989_Kosovo_Grid, WKID: 102157 Authority: ESRI Projection: Gauss Kruger False Easting: 7500000.0 False Northing: 0.0 Central Meridian: 21.0 Scale Factor: 0.9999 Latitude of Origin: 0.0 Linear Unit: Meter (1.0) Geographic Coordinate System : GCS_ETRS_1989 Angular Unit: Degree (0.0174532925199433) Prime Meridian: Greenwich (0.0) Datum: D_ETRS_1989 Spheroid: GRS_1980 Semi major Axis: 6378137.0 Semi minor Axis: 6356752.314140356 Inverse Flattening: 298.257222101 Prepared by: Mehmet Metaj, Consultant,

Address: AlbaForest, Rruga: "Lidhja e Prizrenit" Pal. 7, 2nd Floor, Ap. 1/1, P.O.Box. 1544, Tirana, Albania Tel/fax: + 355-0-44533280 Mobile: 0682092008 www.albaforest.com albaforest@gmail.com mehmet.metaj@yahoo.com Skype: metaj.mehmet
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