Forests cover 36.6 % of the land fund, while the pastures cover about 16.6 %, occupying half of the land fund in the Republic of Albania. The total area of the forest fund is 1,051 million hectares, and the area of pasture fund 478 thousand hectares.
The protected areas in 2018 are totally 801 and occupy an area of 523,831 ha, representing 18.2 % the territory of the country's surface, and more than 30.1 %t of the forest and pasture fund.
Although a country of small size, Albania has a variety of species (rich biodiversity), a consequence of the diversity, geology and Geo morphology, topographical conditions, and very different climate and hydrology by region of the country.
Owing to the geographic position and the diversity of ecosystems in our country there are 3,200 species of plants that account for about 30% of European flora. Fauna is mainly represented by the Eurasian element, but it is from the Mediterranean Hellenic element as well as the Balkan subversion and endemism. Albania also makes a bio corresponding movement of fauna from north to south of Europe, and further to northern Asia, small Asia and bilateral.
Definitions
“Forestry fund " are all forest areas and non-forest small surfaces included, forest resources on attachment, related infrastructure, including surface bare which create a harmonious environment with forests and forest land (openings, cliffs, dunes and sandbanks), forest belts defense, isolated groups of trees and shrubs.
"Pasture Fund" is all area of natural pastures and meadows, trees and bushes within their surfaces used for grazing outside the agricultural land fund.
"Protected area" are declared land, water, marine and coastal territories set for the protection of biological diversity, natural and cultural assets, attachment, which are managed by legal and modern scientific methods. Protected areas are divided into 6 categories which are:
- Strict nature reserve
- National park
- Natural monument
- Managed Natural Reserve
- Protected Landscape
- Protected area of managed resources.
