Prespa Basin

Prespa is a high-altitude basin at approximately 850 metres above sea level, which includes two inter-linked lakes, the Micro Prespa (47.4 km²) and the Macro Prespa (259.4 km²). The lakes, along with the surrounding forested mountain slopes of Pelister mt (which reaches the highest peak at 2,601 m), Galichitsa mt, Mali i Thate mt, Varnountas mt and Triklario mt (Sfika) form a total catchment basin of 1,386 km². There are four islands in the lakes: Aghios Achillios and Vidronissi at the Greek part of Micro Prespa and Mali Grad and Golem Grad in Macro Prespa in Albania and the FYR of Macedonia respectively.

Nature

Prespa is well known for its natural beauty and its high biodiversity. The region is considered an ecological entity of global significance, as it hosts a variety of biotopes -lakes, mountains and forests- with unique characteristics. What is more, at present times of increasing exploitation of natural resources and rapid erosion of wetlands, Prespa still continues to be a healthy ecosystem preserving a significant amount of its natural values.     

Lakes Micro and Macro Prespa are among the oldest ones of Europe and therefore host a large number of endemic species (i.e. that cannot be encountered anywhere else in the world). More than 1,500 species of plants (including several endemics) and more than 40 species of mammals -among them the endangered wolf (Canis lupus), the brown bear (Ursus arctos) and the otter (Lutra lutra)- are recorded in the area.

The avifauna of Prespa is of international importance due to both its richness -the area hosts 261 species of birds- and the presence of significant populations of globally endangered and/or rare species. The globally rare Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), has in Prespa its largest breeding concentration. In Prespa the only breeding colony of the Great White pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) in the European Union is also encountered, while the globally endangered Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca) also breeds in the basin. The area also hosts significant populations of the endangered Pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus) and of seven rare heron species - such as the Great White egret (Egretta alba). In addition, in the wider Prespa area 11 species of amphibians, 22 species of reptiles and 23 fish species (7 out of the 12 indigenous fish species are endemic) are recorded.

In addition, forming an important wetland site, the area not only constitutes a significant reservoir of biodiversity and natural productivity, but also plays important roles in vital natural functions, such as water storage and cleansing, groundwater recharge and stabilization of shorelines. 

People

The most prominent characteristic of the area is the harmonious co-existence between Man and Nature, as the balanced use of traditional activities over the centuries has shaped and preserved a wealth of natural and cultural values that account for the area’s international importance. For example, the long-standing buffalo and cattle grazing on the reeds as well as the cleaning of the littoral areas by fishermen from high vegetation in the past, so they could fish on which constitute areas of high biodiversity as they provide ideal spawning grounds for fish and amphibians, host many invertebrate species, and in effect provide plethora of food for many waterbirds.

However, local occupation has experienced significant changes, during the last decades, resulting in the abandonment of the traditional activities that contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity and natural resources. Today total population of the area in the three countries is 24,000 inhabitants, most of which are occupied in the primary sector. The majority of the population is mainly occupied in agriculture, such as monoculture of beans in Greece, intensive fruit growing in the FYR of Macedonia and to a lesser extent grain and vegetable cultivation. The stockbreeding sector follows as secondary occupation, along with fishing and forestry activities. A number of secondary sector activities are present in the FYR of Macedonia and very few in the Greek Prespa, while no such activities are developed in the Albanian part. The tertiary sector relates mainly to tourism, which is mostly seasonal. The development of alternative tourism in the area will be of great importance for the economic growth as well as for the protection of the unique natural and cultural values of the region.    

Cultural Values

Apart from its ecological importance, the cultural values of the area include many Byzantine and post Byzantine monuments dating from the 10^th century, as well as examples of traditional architecture.

Among the oldest findings of human presence in the region are the fortifications and the cave settlement near the Albanian village of Treni, on the western part of Micro Prespa, and the Trajan fortress in its vicinity from the early bronze period.     

On the island of Aghios Achillios (Greece), there exist ruins from Classical, Byzantine and post Byzantine constructions. The most significant among them is the basilica of Aghios Achillios (10^th century).

Among the many old Byzantine churches scattered throughout the basin, ….. the small church of St. George, in Kurbinovo (the FYR of Macedonia) is decorated with magnificent frescoes painted in 1191.

Very impressive are the small hermitages, dating from the 13th^th and 14th^th century, carved in the rocks, which practically vertically drop into the waters on the shores of both lakes.

The rural architecture in the area is also very attractive. For centuries the houses were built here from stone or clay bricks, with wooden stairs leading to spacious balconies.

Protected Areas

In all three countries various steps have been taken for the protection of the unique ecosystems of Prespa during the last few decades.

In Albania, the Prespa National Park was established, in 1999, for the rehabilitation and sustainable protection of critical terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of the Prespa Lakes.

In Greece, the Prespa National Forest was designated, in 1974 for the protection of the lakes Micro and Macro Prespa and the greater part of their catchment area, and the same area was also declared a landscape of exceptional beauty”, in 1975. Also, the Greek side of Micro Prespa is declared an area of great ornithological value (Special Protection Area -SPA) under the EEC Birds Directive, while the whole catchment basin has also been included in the Greek National List of the NATURA 2000 protected sites network (under the EEC Habitats Directive). Finally, the Greek part of Micro Prespa has been designated a “Wetland of International Importance” (under the Ramsar Convention) since 1974.

In the FYR of Macedonia, both the mountainous ecosystem to the east of Macro Prespa Lake (Pelister National Park) and the terrestrial ecosystems straddling the Galichitsa Mountain located between the Macro Prespa and Ohrid Lakes (Galichitsa National Park) are protected. The Strict Ornithological Reserve “Ezerani” bordering the northern section of Macro Prespa Lake was established in 1996 for the protection of migratory waterfowl and other waterbird species. Also, the FYR of Macedonia part of Macro Prespa has been designated a "natural monument", in 1977, as well as a “Wetland of International Importance” (under the Ramsar Convention) in 1995.