Gërmia – od regionalnog parka do zaštićenog krajolika

This study took place in the Gërmia massif (Republic of Kosovo) and presents an overview of the current status of this protected area. The Gërmia Regional Park is one of the 173 protected areas in Kosovo. It received this status in 1987 (GZK, no. 43/87) from the Prishtina municipal assembly and covers an area of 1064 hectares. Its natural values have changed dramatically during the last decades, especially in terms of biodiversity. With the aim of evaluating the current situation of the Park’s biodiversity, its flora, fauna and plant communities were investigated. The biodiversity of Gërmia comprises 610 vascular plant species (excluding weed species), 83 fungi, 14 mosses, 51 lichens, as well as 5 amphibian, 7 reptile, 32 bird, 19 mammal and 110 butterfly species. As a consequence of human activities, many plant and animal species in Gërmia are endangered. Taking into consideration its natural value and the threat factors around the area, it was proposed to extend the protected area to another 1167 hectares, and to harmonize its protection status with the Law of Nature Protection (i.e. to change the category from Regional Park to Protected Landscape (category V according to the IUCN).Istraživanje se odvijalo u masivu Gërmia (Republika Kosovo) i predstavlja pregled trenutnog stanja ovog zaštićenog područja. Regionalni park Gërmia je jedno od 173 zaštićena područja na Kosovu. Taj status je Park dobio 1987. (GZK, no. 43/87) od Skupštine grada Prištine, a pokriva područje od 1064 ha. Tijekom posljednjih desetljeća prirodne vrijednosti Parka su se dramatično promijenile, posebno u smislu biodiverziteta. Istraživani su flora, fauna i biljne zajednice Parka s ciljem procjene trenutne situacije biodiverziteta Parka. Biološka raznolikost Parka obuhvaća 610 vrsta vaskularnih biljaka (ne uključujući korovne vrste), 83 vrste gljiva, 14 vrsta mahovina, 51 vrstu lišajeva, kao i 5 vrsta vodozemaca, 7 vrsta gmazova, 32 vrste ptica, 19 vrsta sisavaca te 110 vrsta danjih leptira. Kao posljedica ljudskih aktivnosti, ugroženo je mnogo biljnih i životinjskih vrsta u Parku. Uzimajući u obzir prirodne vrijednosti i čimbenike ugroze, predlaže se proširivanje zaštićenog područja na novih 1167 ha, i usklađivanje statusa zaštite sa Zakonom o zaštiti prirode (tj. promjena kategorije iz Regionalnog parka u Zaštićeni krajolik (kategorija V prema IUCN-u)

Medical ethnobotany of the Albanian Alps in Kosovo

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ethnobotanical studies are crucial in South-Eastern Europe for fostering local development and also for investigating the dynamics of Traditional Environmental Knowledge (TEK) related to plants in one of the most crucial European hotspots for biocultural diversity. The current medico-ethnobotanical survey was conducted in rural alpine communities in Kosovo. The aims of the study were twofold: 1) to document the state of TEK of medicinal plants in these communities; 2) to compare these findings with that of similar field studies previously conducted among local populations inhabiting the Montenegrin and Albanian side of the same Alpine range.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Field research was conducted in 36 villages on the Kosovar side of the Albanian Alps. Snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit 91 elderly informants (≥ 50 years-old) for participation in semi-structured interviews and structured surveys regarding the use of the local flora for medicinal and food purposes. Standard ethnobotanical methods were employed and prior informed consent was obtained for all study participants.</p> <p>Results and Conclusion</p> <p>The uses of 98 plants species belonging to 39 families were recorded; the most quoted botanical families were Rosaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae. Mainly decoctions and infusions were quoted as folk medicinal preparations and the most common uses referred to gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, as well as illnesses of the uro-genital system. Among the most uncommon medicinal taxa quoted by the informants, C<it>arduus nutans </it>L., <it>Echinops bannaticus </it>Rochel ex Schrad., and <it>Orlaya grandiflora </it>Hoffm. may merit phytochemical and phytopharmacological investigations.</p> <p>Comparison of the data with other ethnobotanical field studies recently conducted on the Albanian and Montenegrin sides of the same Alps has shown a remarkable link between the medical ethnobotany of Montenegrin and Kosovar side of the Albanian Alps. Moreover, folk uses of the most quoted wild medicinal taxa recorded in Kosovo often include those recorded both in Albania and in Montenegro, thus suggesting a hybrid character of the Kosovar local plant knowledge. This may be also explained with the fact that Montenegro and Kosovo, despite their differences in the ethnic composition, have shared a common history during the last Century.</p

A phylogenetic analysis of the wild Tulipa species (Liliaceae) of Kosovo based on plastid and nuclear DNA sequence.

In Kosovo, the genus Tulipa is represented by eight taxa, most of which form a species complex surrounding Tulipa scardica. To investigate the phylogenetic relationship of these Tulipa species a Bayesian analysis was undertaken using the ITS nuclear marker and trnL-trnF, rbcL and psbA-trnH plastid markers. The resulting phylogenetic trees show that Kosovarian Tulipa species consistently group into two main clades, the subgenera Eriostemones and Tulipa. Furthermore, our analyses provide some evidence that the subspecies of Tulipa sylvestris are genetically distinguishable, however not significantly enough to support their reclassification as species. In contrast, the markers provide some novel information to reassess the species concepts of the T. scardica complex. Our data provide support for the synonymisation of Tulipa luanica and Tulipa kosovarica under the species Tulipa serbica. Resolution and sampling limitations hinder any concrete conclusion about whether Tulipa albanica and T. scardica are true species, yet our data do provide some support that these are unique taxa and therefore should continue to be treated as such until further clarification. Overall, our work shows that genetic data will be important in determining species concepts in this genus, however, even with a molecular perspective pulling apart closely related taxa can be extremely challenging

Plants used for making recreational tea in Europe: A review based on specific research sites

This paper is a review of local plants used in water infusions as aromatic and refreshing hot beverages (recreational tea) consumed in food-related settings in Europe, and not for specific medicinal purposes. The reviewed 29 areas are located across Europe, covering the post-Soviet countries, eastern and Mediterranean Europe. Altogether, 142 taxa belonging to 99 genera and 40 families were reported. The most important families for making herbal tea in all research areas were Lamiaceae and Asteraceae, while Rosaceae was popular only in eastern and central Europe. With regards to botanical genera, the dominant taxa included Mentha, Tilia, Thymus, Origanum, Rubus and Matricaria. The clear favorite was Origanum vulgare L., mentioned in 61% of the regions. Regionally, other important taxa included Rubus idaeus L. in eastern Europe, Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All. in southern Europe and Rosa canina L. in central Europe. Future research on the pharmacological, nutritional and chemical properties of the plants most frequently used in the tea-making process is essential to ensure their safety and appropriateness for daily consumption. Moreover, regional studies dedicated to the study of local plants used for making recreational tea are important to improve our understanding of their selection criteria, cultural importance and perceived properties in Europe and abroad. © 2013 Sõukand et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Of the importance of a leaf: the ethnobotany of sarma in Turkey and the Balkans

BACKGROUND: Sarma - cooked leaves rolled around a filling made from rice and/or minced meat, possibly vegetables and seasoning plants - represents one of the most widespread feasting dishes of the Middle Eastern and South-Eastern European cuisines. Although cabbage and grape vine sarma is well-known worldwide, the use of alternative plant leaves remains largely unexplored. The aim of this research was to document all of the botanical taxa whose leaves are used for preparing sarma in the folk cuisines of Turkey and the Balkans. Methods: Field studies were conducted during broader ethnobotanical surveys, as well as during ad-hoc investigations between the years 2011 and 2014 that included diverse rural communities in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. Primary ethnobotanical and folkloric literatures in each country were also considered. Results: Eighty-seven botanical taxa, mainly wild, belonging to 50 genera and 27 families, were found to represent the bio-cultural heritage of sarma in Turkey and the Balkans. The greatest plant biodiversity in sarma was found in Turkey and, to less extent, in Bulgaria and Romania. The most commonly used leaves for preparing sarma were those of cabbage (both fresh and lacto-fermented), grape vine, beet, dock, sorrel, horseradish, lime tree, bean, and spinach. In a few cases, the leaves of endemic species (Centaurea haradjianii, Rumex gracilescens, and R. olympicus in Turkey) were recorded. Other uncommon sarma preparations were based on lightly toxic taxa, such as potato leaves in NE Albania, leaves of Arum, Convolvulus, and Smilax species in Turkey, of Phytolacca americana in Macedonia, and of Tussilago farfara in diverse countries. Moreover, the use of leaves of the introduced species Reynoutria japonica in Romania, Colocasia esculenta in Turkey, and Phytolacca americana in Macedonia shows the dynamic nature of folk cuisines. Conclusion: The rich ethnobotanical diversity of sarma confirms the urgent need to record folk culinary plant knowledge. The results presented here can be implemented into initiatives aimed at re-evaluating folk cuisines and niche food markets based on local neglected ingredients, and possibly also to foster trajectories of the avant-garde cuisines inspired by ethnobotanical knowledge

The bear in Eurasian plant names: Motivations and models

Ethnolinguistic studies are important for understanding an ethnic group's ideas on the world, expressed in its language. Comparing corresponding aspects of such knowledge might help clarify problems of origin for certain concepts and words, e.g. whether they form common heritage, have an independent origin, are borrowings, or calques. The current study was conducted on the material in Slavonic, Baltic, Germanic, Romance, Finno-Ugrian, Turkic and Albanian languages. The bear was chosen as being a large, dangerous animal, important in traditional culture, whose name is widely reflected in folk plant names. The phytonyms for comparison were mostly obtained from dictionaries and other publications, and supplemented with data from databases, the co-authors' field data, and archival sources (dialect and folklore materials). More than 1200 phytonym use records (combinations of a local name and a meaning) for 364 plant and fungal taxa were recorded to help find out the reasoning behind bear-nomination in various languages, as well as differences and similarities between the patterns among them. Among the most common taxa with bear-related phytonyms were Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., Heracleum sphondylium L., Acanthus mollis L., and Allium ursinum L., with Latin loan translation contributing a high proportion of the phytonyms. Some plants have many and various bear-related phytonyms, while others have only one or two bear names. Features like form and/or surface generated the richest pool of names, while such features as colour seemed to provoke rather few associations with bears. The unevenness of bear phytonyms in the chosen languages was not related to the size of the language nor the present occurence of the Brown Bear in the region. However, this may, at least to certain extent, be related to the amount of the historical ethnolinguistic research done on the selected languages

Management status of protected areas in Kosovo

AbstractThis paper presents the situation of protected areas network in Kosovo, main problems with their management and protection. Kosovo covers an area of 10,887 square kilometers in the central part of Balkan Peninsula. Territory of Kosovo is under different elevations and impacted by mixed Continental and Mediterranean climate states. 47, 842, 34ha or 4.39% of territory of Kosovo is protected. Protected areas network in Kosovo consist of: one national park, 11 nature reserves, two protected landscapes and 82 natural monuments with different natural characteristics: botanical, geographical, geomorphologic, hydrological etc. The history of protected areas starts in 1953, when the first nature reserves were designated for legal protection, with permanent increase of number and size of other protected areas. The biggest step until now in the protection of natural sites is made in 1986 with declaration of Sharri national park (39,000ha), because of very rich biodiversity.The network of legally protected areas is quite heavily damaged during and after the last war in Kosovo (1998-99). Degradation of ecosystems, overexploitation, fires and other negative activities have being part of protected areas during last decade. The new law on nature conservation is partly regulating this situation, although the protection and management measures face many implementation challenges