Academic literature on the topic 'Habitat – Kosovo'

Four species of Gymnadenia are native to Kosovo: G. conopsea, G. frivaldii, G. nigra, and G. odoratissima. In this study, field expedition data, phytosociological relevés, herbarium specimens along with extensive literature sources were used to analyse vegetation and ecological characteristics, habitat types, distributional patterns as well as provide notes on conservation. Gymnadenia conopsea is distributed throughout the country, from lowlands to the alpine belt. It was recorded in various plant communities. Gymnadenia frivaldii grows in the alpine zone of mountains, close to streams and in wet meadows. Its relevés belong to the class Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae. This species is classified as “Near Threatened” (NT) in Kosovo. Gymnadenia nigra grows in subalpine and alpine grassland on preferably calcareous substrate. It has been found in almost all mountains reaching >2000 m a.s.l., and occurs in different plant communities belonging to the class: Elyno-Seslerietea. Gymnadenia odoratissima was recorded from one locality only in Kosovo, on the massif of Maja e Zezë, Sharri Mts. It was growing in degraded beech forest and meadows on silicate bedrock. Its floristically diverse relevés associate with the class: Mulgedio-Aconitetea. Of the four studied species, G. frivaldii deserves more conservation attention because of its fragile populations.

Abstract The subject of our research was Trifolium repens L. The aim was to assess the level of morphological and anatomical variability among populations from different habitats (meadows, roadsides, subalpine slopes) and different altitudes (891–1881 m) in Brezovica (Sharri Mountain, Kosovo). The investigation covered 26 morphological and anatomical traits in populations from 12 locations. From the results obtained during this research, it can be concluded that there is a significant difference among populations for most micro- and macro-morphological traits. There is also a tendency towards a reduction of most of the average values of the investigated parameters (total plant height, total leaf length, leaf petiole length, peduncle length, fruit weight, number of flowers in an inflorescence, stomata length on the upper leaf surface, and diameter of collateral bundle) in relation to altitude increase. However, trichome length showed consistency and was not affected by habitat and altitude changes. The results also lead to a proposal for taxonomic revision of this taxon.

Abstract. Countries in south-eastern Europe are cooperating to conserve a sub-endemic lynx species, Lynx lynx martinoi. Yet, the planning of species conservation should go hand-in-hand with the planning and management of (new) protected areas. Lynx lynx martinoi has a small, fragmented distribution with a small total population size and an endangered population. This study combines species distribution modelling with spatial prioritisation techniques to identify conservation areas for Lynx lynx martinoi. The aim was to determine locations of high probability of occurrence for the lynx, to potentially increase current protected areas by 20 % in Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo. The species distribution modelling used generalised linear models with lynx occurrence and pseudo-absence data. Two models were developed and fitted using the lynx data: one based on natural factors, and the second based on factors associated with human disturbance. The Zonation conservation planning software was then used to undertake spatial prioritisations of the landscape using the first model composed of natural factors as a biological feature, and (inverted) a second model composed of anthropological factors such as a cost layer. The first model included environmental factors as elevation, terrain ruggedness index, woodland and shrub land, and food factor as chamois prey (occurrences) and had a prediction accuracy of 82 %. Second model included anthropological factors as agricultural land and had a prediction accuracy of 65 %. Prioritised areas for extending protected areas for lynx conservation were found primarily in the Albania–Macedonia–Kosovo and Montenegro–Albania–Kosovo cross-border areas. We show how natural and human factors can be incorporated into spatially prioritising conservation areas on a landscape level. Our results show the importance of expanding the existing protected areas in cross-border areas of core lynx habitat. The priority of these cross-border areas highlight the importance international cooperation can play in designing and implementing a coherent and long-term conservation plan including a species conservation plan to securing the future of the lynx.

Abstract In Europe, the genus Ramonda is represented with three species: Ramonda nathaliae, Ramonda serbica and Ramonda myconi. The first two are endemic Balkan species that are distributed also in Kosovo. These species grow in limestone as well as serpentine substrates, forming chasmophytic vegetation. The species Ramonda nathaliae is found in Macedonia, Greece, Serbia and in two localities in Kosovo, in the Sharri Mountains (Luboten and Gotovushë). R. nathaliae forms the following plant associations in the serpentines of Macedonia: Asplenio­Ramondetum nathaliae and Scorzonero-Ramondetum nathaliae, and the Achilleo­Ramondetum nathaliae in limestone substrates. Ostrya carpinifolia is charateristic species in Querco pubescentis-Ostryetum carpinifoliae, Ostryo-Fagetum, Querco-Ostryetum carpinifoliae and Corylo colurnae-Ostryetum carpinifoliae. This paper presents plant communities of Ramonda nathaliae and Ostrya carpinifolia in a limestone habitat, where the proposed new plant association named Ramondo­Ostryetum carpinifoliae ass. nova. is described. This plant community belongs to the class Quercetea pubescentis, order Quercetalia pubescenti­petraeae and alliance Fraxino orni­Ostryion. It was found and described on the limestone substrate on Mt. Luboteni (at 960–982 m a.s.l.).

Butterflies are highly sensitive to habitat and climate changes, and are recognized as important indicators of the state of the environment. Therefore their diversity needs to be studied on a regional scale in order to take actions for their protection by national and international legislation. Here, the results of a butterfly survey in the northeastern part of Kosovo are presented. A total of 93 species were recorded from 2014 to 2017 in six localities, including seven Hesperiidae, four Papilionidae, 15 Pieridae, 25 Lycenidae, 41 Nymphalidae and a single species of Riodinidae. Six of them are listed in the Red List of European Butterflies, all as Near Threatened: Cupido decoloratus (Staudinger, 1886), Pseudophilotes vicrama (Moore, 1865), Hipparchia statilinus (Hufnagel, 1766), Melitaea aurelia (Nickerl, 1850), Melitaea diamina (Lang, 1789) and Parnassius mnemosyne (Linnaeus, 1758). Five species are listed in the recently published Red book of the fauna of Kosovo: two species as Vulnerable (VU), Lycaena dispar (Haworth, 1802) and Thecla betulae (Linnaeus, 1758) and three as Near Threatened, Cupido decoloratus (Staudinger, 1886), Papilio machaon (Linnaeus, 1758) and Zerynthia cerysi (Godart, 1824). From a zoogeographical point of view, the reported species represent eight faunal elements: 51 Euro-Siberian (ES), 27 Euro-Oriental (EO), six Euro-Meridional (EM), five Holarctic (Hol), two Tropical (Tro), one Boreo-Montane (BM), one Cosmopolitan (Cos) and one Mediterranean (Med). We conclude that 93 species of butterfly fauna recorded in this survey represent a relatively high diversity, but further surveys need to be organized in order to gather more data.

Purpose. This paper aims to reflect the extent of the impact of the Artana mine on heavy metal pollution of the waters of the Marec river. Mineralogical pollution of this river resulted in almost total degradation of biota. Methods. To be as realistic as possible in assessing the water quality of the Marec river and of a single spring located in the research area and used for drinking, we have applied the standard methods ISO 5667-6 for surface water and ISO 5667-11 for groundwater. The sampling and the quantity of the samples, as well as their transportation, was done in full compliance with the ISO 5667-1.3 method. Whereas, the conservation of samples taken for the determination of heavy metals is done according to the APHA conservation procedure. For the extraction (mineralization) of heavy metals in the samples taken, the EPA-3015A method was applied, while for the determination of the concentration of heavy metals the SAA (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) measurement technique was applied. Findings. As a result of the industrial activity of the Artana mine, it has been ascertained that the main causes of the pollution of the Marec river waters and the habitat around it is the mineral exploitation activity in this industrial complex. Analysis of water samples discharged from the mine, flotation and drainage of landfills reflect the real state of heavy metals concentration in the Marec river. Originality. In order for the results to realistically reflect the degree of heavy metals concentration in the waters of this river, we have implemented existing and advanced analytical techniques. Practical implications. The water samples from the Marec river were taken and analyzed in January and July 2020. The analysis performed showed significant exceedance of heavy metals concentration in all sampling sites located in the studied industrial area.

The Balkan Vegetation Database (BVD; GIVD ID: EU-00-019) is a regional database, which was established in 2014. It comprises phytosociological relevés covering various vegetation types from nine countries of the Balkan Peninsula (Albania – 153 relevés, Bosnia and Herzegovina – 1715, Bulgaria – 12,282, Greece – 465, Croatia – 69, Kosovo – 493, Montenegro – 440, North Macedonia – 13 and Serbia – 2677). Currently, it contains 18,306 relevés (compared to 9.580 in 2016), and most of them (82.8%) are geo-referenced. The database includes both digitized relevés from the literature (65.6%) and unpublished data (34.5%). Plot size is available for 84.7% of all relevés. During the last four years some “header data information” was improved e.g. elevation (now available for 83.4% of all relevés), aspect (67.7%), slope (66%), total cover of vegetation (54.3%), cover of tree, shrub, herb, bryophyte and lichen layers (27.1%, 20.1%, 40.2%, 11.5% and 2.1%), respectively. Data access is either semi-restricted (65.6%) or restricted (34.4%). Most relevés (84.6%) are classified to syntaxa of different levels. The database has been used for numerous studies with various objectives from floristic, vegetation and habitat-related topics, to macroecological studies at the local, regional, national, continental and global levels. During the last four years, BVD data were requested from 111 different projects via the EVA and sPlot databases.

In this study, we present updated distributional data for all Serbian lacertids, having taken into account the available previously published information, and the so far unpublished authors’ field records and evidence from other sources. According to our current knowledge, eight lacertid species inhabit Serbia. Analysis of lacertid diversity within the country showed that biogeographic regions with highest species diversity are Metohija (eight species) and Kosovo (seven species). Regions in Serbia are mutually similar concerning lacertid faunas (average Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index is 0.82). Comparative analysis of lacertid faunas among all Balkan countries showed that Serbian lacertid fauna is the most similar to those of Albania and the FYR of Macedonia, and then to faunas of Romania and Bulgaria. Zoogeographic analysis showed that Serbian lacertids belong to three distinct chorotypes, with the East-Mediterranean being the richest (four species). Generally, diversity of lacertids in Serbia is most strongly determined by topographic diversity, habitat heterogeneity, and climatic peculiarities, with the inflow of the sub-Mediterranean climate along several river valleys in the south being especially important. This paper is intended to serve as a basis for further research, since data on distribution of lacertid species in Serbia are far from complete, with large distributional gaps of recorded species and with unconfirmed presence of two species.

Abstract Flora of the southern part of Kosovo has previously been studied in a limited way due to the difficult terrain and the fact that up to the 1990s it was a military area. In this paper we report Galanthus elwesii Hook for the first time from Kosovo. This species is found in different habitats, mainly in siliceous substrate or wet meadows of the Dragash Municipality, South Kosovo. This species was collected in the Vraça Mountains, near Restelica, (part of National Park ‘Sharri’) on the road leading to the border with Macedonia. The study area consists of territories belonging to the phytogeographic system Skardon-Pindik (Sharri-Pindi) and includes the mountain ranges of Sharri. This research comprises the presence, description, spread and mapping of the species.

The waters of the oceans and seas play an important role in the hydrological cycle of the Earth. With Kosovo's economic development, increasing population developed many branches of industry, which caused pollution of rivers with heavy metals such as mine "Trepça", the treatment of agriculture products with pesticides and herbicides, eutrophication of lakes, transition metal in agricultural products, coming up ecological balance disorders. Uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, irresponsible treatment (industrial waste and sewage), has caused contamination above the permitted ecosystem with toxic elements such as: Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, etc. Heavy metals in natural waters unpolluted behave low concentration (approximately 1μg / l); some of them are essential for enzymatic reactions. Increase their concentration as a result of industrial activities, often exceeds the allowed limit, causing serious changes to cosystems and tourist areas, to living organisms in natural aquatic systems. Ecological preservation of ecosystems from heavy metals is vital for the environment, food security and the preservation of ecological habitats which represents an economic cost in R. Kosovo.

Cette thèse de doctorat traite des habitats de l'Âge du fer documentés sur le territoire de l’actuel Kosovo, qui représente une superficie de 10 887 km², il correspond à la partie centrale de l'ancienne Dardanie qui s’étendait aussi au sud de la Serbie, au nord de la Macédoine, au nord-est de l'Albanie. Le travail s’organise en deux parties principales. La première est le catalogue recensant tous les sites, fouillés ou non, connus à ce jour, classés par typologie et par taille, accompagnés d’une description des caractéristiques de l'habitat et du matériel archéologique permettant d’établir leur chronologie. Le corpus comprend un total de 45 habitats, dont 29 ont fait l’objet de fouilles. Sur la base du matériel étudié, la chronologie peut être divisée en quatre phases : la plus ancienne XIe-IXe siècle av. J.-C, est une phase de transition entre le Bronze récent et le Fer ancien ; puis l’Âge du fer proprement dit est divisé en deux périodes, la première phase de l’Âge du fer (VIIIe-VIIe siècles av. J.-C.), et la deuxième phase de l’Âge du fer (VIe-IVe siècles av. J.-C.) ; la dernière phase correspond à la période hellénistique jusqu’à l’arrivée des Romains (IVe-Ie siècles av. J.-C.).La deuxième partie propose des éléments de synthèse qui traite 1. de la typologie et de la répartition des zones habitées, en prenant en compte leurs relations avec les nécropoles, 2. de l’étendue des habitats et de leurs caractéristiques architecturales, et 3. de la culture matérielle qu’ils abritent. On a ainsi pu identifier trois types d’habitats : les habitats de hauteur, ceux sur terrasse et les habitats en plaine ; ces habitats peuvent être regroupés en quatre régions, à l'exception de l'habitat de Valach qui reste un cas isolé dans le nord du pays ; dans chaque région, les sites sont visibles les uns des autres. Les nécropoles, 51 au total, occupent également une place importante. Il y a deux types de nécropoles : les nécropoles tumulaires, les plus nombreuses, et les nécropoles non tumulaires. Pour les deux types, on a étudié leurscaractéristiques principales, leur répartition, la chronologie, les rites funéraires et leur relation avec les habitats. Le deuxième chapitre a permis d’établir une hiérarchie des habitats en fonction de leur taille, de distinguer quatre types de fortification, et de présenter les premiers plans connus de cabanes dardaniennes. Le dernier chapitre de la thèse étudie la vaisselle et les objets de la vie domestique. Pour chaque phase chronologique, sont données la nature des pâtes et les formes caractéristiques qui permettent de suivre les continuités et les innovations. Le matériel étudié montre qu’à côté du stockage de denrées et de la préparation des aliments, les activités métallurgiques et de tissage sont aussi importantes. Enfin l’importation et l’imitation locale des vases grecs liés à la consommation du vin, présents dans les habitats comme dans les nécropoles, pose le problème de l’adoption de la pratique du "symposion"<br>This doctoral thesis deals with documented Iron Age habitats on the territory of presentday Kosovo, which represents an area of 10 887 km², corresponding to the central part of the ancient Dardania which also extended to the south from Serbia, north of Macedonia, to the northeast of Albania. This dissertation is divided in two main parts). (In the first part is presentedcatalog of all sites), excavated or not, known to date, classified by typology and size, accompanied by a description of the characteristics of the habitats and archaeological materials, to establish their chronology. The corpus comprises a total of 45 habitats, of which 29 have been excavated. On the basis of the material studied, the chronology can be divided into four phases: The oldest XI-IX century BC. J.-C, is a transition phase between the recent Bronze and the old Iron; then the Iron Age is divided into two periods: the first phase of the Iron Age (8th-7th centuries BC), and the second phase of the Iron Age (6th - 4th century BC); the last phase corresponds to the Hellenistic period until the arrival of the Romans (IV-I centuries BC). Thesecond part provides a summary of the 1. Typology and distribution of inhabited areas, taking into account their relationship with necropolises, 2. The extent of habitats and their architectural features, and 3. The material culture they harbored. Three types of habitats were identified: highrise habitats, terrace dwellings and lowland habitats; these habitats can be grouped into four regions, with the exception of the Valaç habitat, which remains an isolated case in the north of the country; in each region, the sites are visible from each other. The necropolises, 51 in total, also occupy an important place. There are two types of necropolis: the tumular necropolises - the most numerous, and the non-tumular necropolises. For both types, their main characteristics, distribution, chronology, funerary rites and their relation to habitats were studied. The second chapter made it possible to establish a hierarchy of habitats according to their size, to distinguish four types of fortification, and to present the first known plans of Dardanian huts. The last chapter of the thesis studies the dishes and the objects of domestic life. For each chronological phase, the nature of the pasta and the characteristic forms that make it possible to follow the continuities and the innovations are given. The material studied shows that, alongside food storage and food preparation, metallurgical and weaving activities are also important. Finally, the importation and local imitation of Greek vases related to the consumption of wine, present in the habitats as in the necropolises, poses the problem of the adoption of the practice of the "symposion"

Kosovo saknar ett fungerande tandvårdssystem och det ges inga förebyggande åtgärder vilket påverkar munhälsan. För att upprätthålla en god munhälsa krävs en god munhygien och goda kostvanor. Idag finns det många barn och ungdomar som kommer från Kosovo till Sverige, och därför är det intressant att ta reda på om hur ungdomarnas munhygien-, kost- och tandvårdsvanor ser ut i Kosovo. Syfte med studien var att undersöka munhygien- och kostvanor samt tandvårdsvanor hos 16-19 åringar i Prishtina, Kosovo. Material och metod: Studien är en kvantitativ empirisk studie som utfördes med en enkät som innehöll 17 frågor med fasta svarsalternativ. I studien ingick 150 elever i åldrarna 16-19 från två utvalda gymnasieskolor i Prishtina, Kosovo. Resultatet visade att mer än hälften av respondenterna borstade tänderna två gånger per dag, morgon och kväll med tandborste och tandkräm och cirka 80 % använde något approximalt hjälpmedel. Knappt hälften av respondenterna (43 %) intog 5 mål om dagen och de flesta av respondenterna åt frukost, lunch och middag varje dag. Respondenterna hade ett högt intag av sötsaker. Vad gäller tandvårdsvanor var det 70 % som inte besökte tandläkaren regelbundet. Slutsats: Respondenterna hade relativt goda munhygien- och kostvanor men dåliga tandvårdsvanor.<br>The lack of a functioning dental care system in Kosovo and preventive actions affects the oral health. Good oral habits and good dietary habits are important to maintain a good oral health. Today there are many children and young people living in Sweden, who originally are from Kosovo; therefore it is interesting to investigate young people's oral hygiene, dietary and dental habits in Kosovo. The aim of the study was to investigate the oral habits, dietary habits and dental care habits among students 16-19 years old in Prishtina, Kosovo. Material and methods: The study is a quantitative empirical study. A questionnaire including 17 questions was conducted at two selected secondary schools in Prishtina, Kosovo. A total of 150 students participated. The results showed that more than half of the respondents brushed their teeth twice a day, morning and evening with toothbrush and toothpaste, and about 80 % of the respondents used proximal devices. Less than half of the respondents (43 %) consumed five meals a day and most of the respondents ate breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. The respondents had a high intake of sweets. Regarding dental care habits, 70 % of the respondents did not visit the dentist regularly. Conclusion: The respondents had relatively good oral habits and dietary habits but had bad dental care habits.