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 !