AL
Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard
Threatened
19
CR + EN + VU
Critically Endangered
19
CR
Endemic Threatened
0
Found only here
Declining
0%
0 species
Distribution of 19 threatened species
Threatened % by group
No threat data available
0 endemic threatened species found only here
CONSERVATION LEADERS
Key Conservation Organisations
Albanian Ornithological Society (AOS)
BirdLife International partner
Bird conservation and research
Conducting bird monitoring programs and establishing Important Bird Areas across Albania.
Visit websiteAlbanian Society for the Protection of Birds and Mammals (ASPBM)
Independent conservation organization
Wildlife protection and habitat conservation
Protecting endangered species like the Balkan lynx and brown bear through habitat restoration and anti-poaching efforts.
Visit websiteEcoAlbania
Independent environmental NGO
River ecosystem and freshwater biodiversity conservation
Campaigning to protect the Vjosa River as Europe's last wild river and opposing hydropower development in protected areas.
Visit websiteNational Agency of Protected Areas (NAPA)
Government agency under Ministry of Tourism and Environment
Management of Albania's protected areas system
Managing 15 national parks and numerous nature reserves covering critical biodiversity hotspots in Albania.
Visit websiteProtection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA)
Independent NGO
Biodiversity conservation and protected areas management
Leading conservation efforts in Albanian national parks and advocating for the protection of the Vjosa River ecosystem.
Visit websiteNotable Conservationists
Aleksandër Trajçe
ASPBM and international carnivore research networks
Large carnivore conservation specialist
Leading efforts to protect and study the endangered Balkan lynx population in Albanian mountains.
Olsi Nika
University of Tirana
Marine biologist and coastal ecosystem researcher
Conducting research on Mediterranean marine biodiversity and coastal habitat conservation along the Albanian Riviera.
Taulant Bino
Albanian Ornithological Society
Ornithologist and wetland conservation specialist
Leading researcher on Albanian bird species and wetland ecosystems, particularly in coastal and mountain regions.
Source: Public records, institutional websites, published research
Outlook: Deteriorating
Albania's biodiversity significance stems from its position at the crossroads of Mediterranean and Balkan biogeographical regions, creating unique endemic hotspots particularly in its karst cave systems and isolated mountain ranges. The country's limestone geology has fostered exceptional invertebrate endemism, with specialized cave-dwelling molluscs and arthropods found nowhere else on Earth. According to IUCN Red List 2025 data, all 19 assessed endemic species are critically endangered, representing a biodiversity crisis of extraordinary proportions. The most urgent threats to Albania's endemic fauna include limestone quarrying operations that directly destroy cave habitats, unregulated groundwater extraction altering subterranean ecosystems, and agricultural intensification in karst valleys affecting surface-groundwater connectivity. Tourism development in coastal and mountain regions poses additional pressure on fragile endemic populations. Climate change exacerbates these impacts by altering precipitation patterns crucial for maintaining cave humidity levels. Albania has established the Prespa National Park and expanded protected area coverage to 15% of national territory, with particular focus on karst landscapes. The country participates in regional Balkan biodiversity initiatives and has strengthened environmental impact assessment requirements for quarrying operations. However, enforcement capacity remains limited, and economic pressures continue to drive habitat conversion. The trajectory appears deteriorating given the complete critically endangered status of assessed endemic species.
Key Biomes & Ecosystems
Conservation Achievements
Albania has made notable progress in expanding its protected area network, particularly through the designation of Prespa National Park as part of a transboundary conservation initiative with Greece and North Macedonia. The country has strengthened its environmental legislation framework, implementing stricter environmental impact assessments for extractive industries that threaten karst ecosystems. Recent efforts include the development of cave conservation protocols and collaboration with international speleological organizations to map and monitor critical underground habitats. Albania has also joined regional Balkan biodiversity conservation networks, facilitating knowledge exchange and coordinated protection strategies for endemic species across political boundaries.
Source: IUCN Red List 2025-2, GBIF, national survey data