Spontaneous Flora of the Urban Areas of Tirana, three new species recorded for the first time in Albania

Oresta Saliaj, Ermelinda Gjeta, Julian Shehu, Alfred Mullaj

Abstract


This study investigates the diversity and characteristics of spontaneous flora in urban areas of Tirana, capital of Albania. Field surveys, based on a defined methodology, conducted during the spring-summer period of 2023, revealed a total of 262 plant species belonging to 53 families. The taxonomic distribution highlights Poaceae and Compositae as the most species-rich families. Three new plant species were documented for the first time in Albania, increasing the list of flora diversity of the country. Biogeographical analysis indicates a dominance of Euro-Mediterranean species, reflecting the region’s geographical influences. Furthermore, an analysis of flowering periods shows seasonal variations, with summer hosting the highest number of flowering species. These findings contribute to our understanding of urban plant diversity, adaptation strategies, and biogeographical patterns in Tirana. Nevertheless, the surveyed area is rather small, only 125 ha, and further research in the future is needed and might reveal new findings.


Keywords


spontaneous flora, Tirana, new records, urban areas

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References


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