Lura lakes are the most beautiful pearls of Albanian nature

Lura National Park - Parku Kombëtar i Lurës - Lura National Park, established by a decision of the Council of Ministers of Albania in 1966. - It is located in the western part of the Dibra district, bordering the Mirdita region in northeastern of Albania. - It has an area of 1,280 hectares massif called “Crown Lura” - (Kunora e Lures) With its 12 glacial lakes created a picturesque and attractive environment at an altitude of 1350-1720 m. In winter these lakes are covered by ice. - These lakes constitute the special hydrological ecosystems.

Landscape The Lura landscape fashioned by geology of special scientific importance, especially by stratified ultrabasic rocks, amphibolites and regional faults is one of the most interesting geoparks of virgin ecosystem, offering a unique diversity of natural attraction.

The five principal lakes are: Great Lake (Alb.: Liqeni i Madh), 32 hectares; Lake of the Pines, (Alb. Liqeni i Pishave), 13 hectares; Black Lake (Alb.: Liqeni i Zi), 8 hectares; Lake of Flowers (Alb.: Liqeni i Luleve), 4 hectares Cow’s Lake (Alb.: Liqeni i Lopeve)

Lura National Park After the fall of communism, the area suffered massive deforestation from illegal logging and forest fires that severely affected ecosystems. In 2014, the Albanian government launched a rehabilitation campaign including reforestation, roadwork, and the putting of new signs.

Some important question? have these lakes been studied before? are there existing data which we can use? are all lakes suitable? How do we get there? Do we need a boat? Accommodation? Are 6 sites per lake OK?

Aims of Study Knowledge of the microscopic algae (diatoms) in sediments of Lura Lakes. Evaluation of Lura Lakes Biodiversity. Calculation of the trophy value and trophy level. Based in the EC standard for fresh water: Standard EN 13946:2003, Water quality. 2. Standard EN 14407:2004, Water quality.

Results The most whispered centric diatoms was: Melosira varians, and pennat diatoms belongs to: Achnanthes flaxela, A. exilis, Achnanthidium minutissimum, Amphora lybica, Cymbella cistula, C. amphicephala, C. minutum, C. cesati, C. descripta, C. microcephala, Fragilaria capucina, Gomphonema angustatum, G.micropus, G. Parvulum, G. Pumilum, Meridion circulare, Navicula minuscula, N. Criptotenella, Nitzschia alpina, N. fonticula, N. linearis etc.

Results In total, they are found 204 diatom species (Bacillariophyceae), which 8 belong Centrales and 196 belong to Pennales Based in previous studies (Miho & Lange-Bertalot, 2002), in total in Lura Lakes were found 460 species where 440 belong pennate and other belong to centrice.

Results Endemic species in Lura Lakes: Cymbopleura albanica, Cymbopleura lura and Navicula pseudoppugnata (Lange- Bertalot 2001; Krammer 2003). Based on IPS (Diatoms), the water quality was very good in all samples of Lura Lakes. Lura Lakes provide habitats with high diversity.

Thank you for your attention! Thank you for your attention!