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HYDROBIOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, OHRID
-ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES-
Ohrid, Macedonia 11.03.2016
The PSI Hydrobiological Institute in Ohrid, was established in 1935, as
first scientific institution in the Balkans at the initiative of the prominent
limnologist, the academician Sinisha Stankovic. The former
Hydrobiological Station after the World War II becomes an Institute and
since 1994 has been enlisted in the register of organizations conducting
scientific research activities.
Today, our Institute is a modern public and governmental science-
research and educational organization of national interest with an
admirable number od scientist - 13 PhDs, two masters and three
assistants. The Institute covers research subjects in limnology as in
natural lakes, as well in reservoirs and rivers.
More specific subjects of research in the Institute are organized in the following
departments:
Dept. of physicо-chemical investigations of water,
Dept. of microbiology,
Dept. of phytoplankton,
Dept. of zooplankton,
Dept. of benthic fauna,
Dept. of macrophyte vegetation (hydrobotany),
Dept. of cyprinid fishes,
Dept. of applied fishery and aquaculture,
Dept. of fish parasitology,
Dept. of eco-toxicology and molecular biology.
Since its establishment in the institute is included a salmonid hatchery
and nursery with capacity of 20 millions of eggs, alevins or fingerlings
of the endemic Lake Ohrid trout (Salmo litnica, Karaman) species.
In addition, the Institute actively undertakes a special mission to protect
the environment through numerous lectures and expert opinions of the
scientific staff.
Substantial scientific articles and publications have been published as
a result of the successful scientific work of the Institute. In the field of
the international collaboration, the Institute has more than 50 bilateral
agreements signed with different institutions (of similar interest) from all
around the world.
“Developing biological tools for monitoring on Lake Ohrid according to the
European Water Framework Directive” (NIVA)
“Climate Change and Invasive Alien Species – growing threats to
biodiversity and ecosystem functionality in ancient Lake Ohrid and its
watershed” (ESENIAS)
“Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity at Lakes Prespa, Ohrid
and Shkodra/Skadar (CSBL)” (GIZ)
“Restoring the Ecosystem of Lake Prespa” (UNDP)
“Revalorization Study and Management Plan for the ‘Lake Prespa
Monument of Nature’ in Macedonia” (UNDP)
“ECOPOTENTIAL: Improving future ecosystem benefits through earth
observations” (HORIZON 2020 - EC)
This cooperation has led to the implementation of numerous projects:
Our experience as contributing specialists in the project:
“Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity at Lakes Prespa,
Ohrid and Shkodra/Skadar (CSBL)” (supported by GIZ)
As signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity and European
Union (EU) candidate countries, Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro are
committed to improve the ecological status of the lakes and to protect their
biodiversity. The legal and strategic frameworks are set by the EU Water
Framework Directive (WFD), EU nature conservation legislation (Birds and
Habitats Directives) and the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Implementing these
frameworks jointly requires close transboundary cooperation. The three
countries have transposed the WFD into national laws, but its
implementation remains a challenge for all of them.
Water quality is assessed using classification systems based on biological,
hydromorphological, chemical and physico-chemical parameters (elements
in WFD terminology). Assessments provide information about the impacts
of substances and hydromorphological interventions on aquatic
communities, as well as information about key water uses.
Physico-chemical parameters:
• Transparency (Secchi depth)
• Thermal conditions (temperature, including thermal stratification)
• Oxygenation conditions (dissolved oxygen, BOD5 and COD)
• Salinity (conductivity, also related to water hardness and total dissolved
substances)
• Acidification status (primarily pH, but water hardness is also important)
• Nutrient conditions (nitrates, phosphates, total nitrogen and total
phosphorus)
• Other specific substances/pollutants, covered in WFD
Biological quality elements:
• Phytoplankton (composition, abundance and biomass)
• Macrophytes and phytobenthos (composition, abundance)
• Benthic invertebrates (composition, abundance)
• Fish (composition, abundance and age structure)
Physico-chemical elements (Lake Ohrid)
Increased nutrient concentrations prevail in the
littoral zone during the summer period.
According to both Carlson’s Trophic State Index
(TSI) and the fixed boundary OECD
classification scheme (Vollenweider and Kerekes
1982), based on total phosphorus, Lake Ohrid is
predominantly oligotrophic. However, TSI values
for the littoral zone exhibit seasonal and spatial
variability. Littoral sites at Kalishta and Veli Dab
are oligotrophic, but at Grashnica during spring
and summer, the water becomes mesotrophic.
The most alarming results, however, were for the
Cherava River inlet, which is eutrophic.
Biological elements (Lake Ohrid)
Recent studies in the littoral zone of Lake Ohrid
in Macedonia using phytoplankton composition
and chlorophyll-a concentration as biological
indicators showed a negative influence of lake
tributaries on the trophic state of the lake
(Patceva, 2014). According to these studies, the
Grashnica region at the inflow of River
Velgoshka has the worst trophic state, followed
by Cherava, Sateska and Koselska.
Physico-chemical elements (Lake Prespa)
All the investigated parameters indicate that Lake
Prespa is in the process of eutrophication. Changes
in the volume of the lake also appear to be having
a direct effect on the concentrations of dissolved
nutrients within it, since there is less water to
dilute the loads from both external sources and
releases from the sediment. At present, however, it
is the shallow, littoral areas which appear to be
most highly impacted.
Biological elements (Lake Prespa)
The overall phytoplankton composition as well as
spatial and temporal distribution was typical of
mesotrophic lakes.
Identification of pressures
• Point source pollution: a) storm-water outfalls from sewerage systems
not connected to treatment plants; b) sparsely built-up areas; c) direct
industrial discharges; d) certain problems in WWTP’s function etc.
• Diffuse source pollution: agriculture (fertilizers, soil particles,
pesticides)
• Water abstraction and flow regulation: ground water used for public
water supply and irrigation;
• Physical modifications: sediment-rich Sateska River diverted into the
Lake Ohrid;
• Other man-made pressures: tourism, intensified urbanisation of the
lake’s surroundings (habitat destruction and biodiversity loss), increased
numbers of recreational and speed boats, unregulated and illegal fishery,
introduction of alien fish species etc.
Existing gaps and recommendations:
• Lack of a comprehensive and continuous national monitoring of
natural lakes and rivers in Macedonia.
According to Article 8 of the WFD, as well national water laws in
Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro, water monitoring programmes
must be developed and implemented for all river basins. The
development of national monitoring programmes is part of the river
basin management planning process which requires transboundary
cooperation.
• Comprehensive research of the biological parameters (floral and
faunal communities)
• Complete inventory of all discharges (an appropriate state cadastre
of discharges), either direct or into the sewer, does not exist in either
Macedonia or Albania.
THANK YOU !