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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
environmental science
The Vjosa River corridor: a model of natural hydro-morphodynamics and a hotspot of highly threatened ecosystems of European significance
Landscape Ecology, Volume 35, No. 4, Year 2020
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Description
Context: Large near-natural rivers have become rare in Europe, a fact reflected in the high conservation status of many riverine ecosystems. While the Balkan still harbors several intact river corridors, most of these are under pressure from planned hydropower constructions. Unfortunately, there is little information available on the hydromorphodynamics and biota of Balkan rivers under threat. Objectives: We present a synthesis of research on the Vjosa in Southern Albania. Here, longitudinal continuity in water flow, undisturbed sediment transport and intact fluvial dynamics are still maintained, but threatened by two large dams planned in its downstream section. We intend to provide a first multidisciplinary inventory of this river system as an example of the knowledge base required for sound water management decisions in the Balkans. Methods: Based on field work of a multidisciplinary consortium of scientists from Albania and other countries conducted from 2017 onwards, we summarize the most important findings on geomorphology of the riverine landscape, habitat turnover rates, vegetation ecology and selected animal taxa. Results: We found evidence that significant areas (86%) of the river corridor are covered by habitats listed in Annex 1 of the European Union Habitats Directive. These are associated with a high number of threatened biota. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the value of the Vjosa as one of the few remaining reference sites for dynamic floodplains in Europe and as a natural laboratory for interdisciplinary research. We emphasize that such multidisciplinary studies are a prerequisite for informed evaluation of potential impacts caused by hydropower plants. © 2020, The Author(s).
Authors & Co-Authors
Schiemer, Friedrich
Austria, Vienna
Universität Wien
Beqiraj, Sajmir
Albania, Tirana
University of Tirana
Graf, Wolfram
Austria, Vienna
Universitat Fur Bodenkultur Wien
Essl, Franz
Austria, Vienna
Universität Wien
Meulenbroek, Paul
Austria, Vienna
Universitat Fur Bodenkultur Wien
Vitecek, Simon
Austria, Lunz am see
Wassercluster Lunz
Statistics
Citations: 22
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/s10980-020-00993-y
ISSN:
09212973
Research Areas
Environmental
Study Design
Cohort Study