Economidichthys pygmaeus (Holly, 1929) is recorded based on specimens originating from Greater Prespa Lake, southeast Albania, at the intersection between Albania, Greece and North Macedonia. It represents the first record of the species in the Albanian part of this Lake. In the Mediterranean region, the ‘sand gobies’ are widespread playing an important role in different aquatic ecosystems, including the smallest European freshwater fish. The aim of the present contribution was to provide the first information on the presence E. pygmaeus in Greater Prespa Lake confirmed through 16 specimens caught in two localities. Most of the captured specimen were adults with a total length (TL) of 29-37 mm, while 5 specimens were Y-O-Y of (17-20 mm TL).

The southernmost part of Albania, the Butrinti Lake area is characterised by a highly diverse freshwater fish community with a high degree of regional endemism. This study focuses on the Corfu killifish (or toothcarp) Valencia letourneuxi (Sauvage, 1880) that is endemic to the western part of the Ionian Ecoregion, and reported in Albania in the past from a single location, Lake Butrinti. Recently, in June 2019, the species has been rediscovered at a very low population density (only 11 individuals collected) in a spring-fed stream in the vicinity of Lake Butrinti. Other fish present together with V. letourneuxi were the native Telestes pleurobipunctatus, Barbus peloponnesius, Anguilla anguilla and Pelasgus thesproticus and the translocated Alburnus sp. Our findings provide useful insights into the ecology and conservation of a Critically Endangered, range-restricted species and its habitats. The Corfu killifish presence correlated negatively with water depth and positively with aquatic vegetation coverage. The conservation implications of our findings both for the target species and the co-occurring fish fauna in its spring-fed habitats are discussed.

Monitoring and dealing with particular conditions related to relative humidity (RH) and temperature within different cultural objects including post-byzantine churches are of primary importance for the current conservation and advancement. The objective of this paper is to explore and discuss how standards can be implemented and guide the decision processes in order to facilitate a sustainable management of cultural buildings. Following the particularities of the interface of Mediterranean and continental climate conditions, here is introduced a general climate risk assessment method, which determines how indoor climates fit into the selected post-byzantine cultural objects in Albania. A relative humidity over 75% and temperature frequently over 30°C within several churches is been assessed as a high risk of sudden or cumulative mechanical damage to most artefacts and paintings because of high humidity. Predicting preservation is an important aspect in preventing damage to objects. This paper also describes the historical and scientific background to the current discussions.

Qëllimi i këtij artikulli është që të përshkruajë dhe analizojë përdorimin e simbolikës së gjallesave në arkitekturën kristiane të Kishës së Shën Nikollës në Manastirin e Mesopotamit, i cili përfaqëson një ndër monumentet më të spikaturura të kulturës shqiptare. Ky monument shquhet jo vetëm për karakteristikat e spikatura arkitektonike, por edhe për elementët e dekorimit që përfshijnë dyshemenë, kapitelet, skulpturat në muret e jashtme dhe simbolikat me shprehje të gjallesave shtazore dhe bimore. Simbolikat, në këtë kontekst shqiponja, si një simbol i lidershipit është aq e vjetër sa perënditë dhe dinastitë sunduese. Si një arketip ajo mund të përfaqësojë një hyjni të gjithë fuqishme, diellin (e njëjta gjë në shumë fe të lashta), fuqinë e papërpunuar, mbizotërimin, lirinë e lëvizjes, etj. Si shoqërues të shpeshtë të mundshëm paraqiten luani dhe gjarpri, ndërkohë që dragoi ndeshet në mjaft objekte. Potenciali i tyre është i qartë për këdo që ka një qasje imagjinate. Edhe në rastin e Kishës së Shën Nikollës në Mesopotam simbolet paraqiten si shprehje tejet e fuqishme e fasadës së monumetit.

At the landscape level, freshwater ecosystems are linked at various spatial and temporal scales by movements of different fauna components adapted to life in water. We review the literature on the state of landscape connectivity and related aquatic species that connect different types of freshwater habitats, focusing on linkages from streams, large rivers and standing water bodies. Based on existing evidence, it is clear that biotic linkages throughout current mosaic have important consequences for biological integrity and biodiversity. The recent developments with regard to urbanization, expansion of urban centers, infrastructure development, and hydropower plant construction in Albania are in line with global destruction and fragmentation of habitats resulting in the parceling up of landscapes that, in this very case, have been caused by human population growth and development activities. The primary aim of this article is to address the landscape connectivity in a wider northeastern part of Albania considering various protected areas. The landscape connectivity is a pillar component of connectivity conservation that has emerged as a response approach to a range of threats to biodiversity, which include habitat degradation and destruction, fragmentation and climate changes. The approach analyses of landscape connectivity were defined from a human perspective in a linkage among different protected areas, including National Park Albanian Alps, Nature Park Korrab-Koritnik, National Park ShebenikJabllanica, Pogradec Landscape Protected Areas and National Park Prespa. The basis of this analysis lies in the Network of Protected Areas (NPAs) of Albania. Cumulatively, the protected areas connectivity, aquatic ecosystem linkage and individual movements connect populations within and among landscape mosaics and contribute to national and regional diversity and resilience to disturbance. This study highlights the importance of considering both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems connectivity in conservation planning and management.