COST Action E 52 - vTI - Bund.de

Fig. 3: Mixed forest of European beech and birch in Dardhe, Korce region, Albania (H. HASKA, 2004)
As it can be seen from the data, it can be concluded that in Albania the predominant forests have
low production. Some of the main causes for this can be summarized as follows:
a) Scrub layer in a considerable area of the forest (25% of forest surface), that have very low
productivity (1.14 m3 /ha).
b) Over 45% of forest surface with low or medium stocking density.
c) Considerable area of coppice forests (about 31%).
d) Forests at high altitude (up 2, 50 m) in the mountains especially on medium and steep slopes,
where the site conditions (climatic, pedological) are not favourable for tree growth and
productivity.
e) Very old age of some high forests which reduces the annual growth increment.
According to government forest yield figures, forests in Albania have average annual increment
values of 1.69 m3 /ha year for high forest, 0.91 m3 /ha for coppice and 1.14 m3 /ha for scrub. Average
annual forest increment in Albania is above 1.32 m3 /ha, which is lower than in some of the European
countries such as Germany or France, but perhaps higher than some others such as Italy or Greece.
Albanian European beech forests have higher average annual increment than some others species
as follows: European beech forests 2.14 m3 /ha, oaks 1.24 m3 /ha, pine 1.45 m3 /ha. However, some
species with low surface area have higher increment such as fir with 2.92 m3 /ha, and poplar which
has 3.60 m3 /ha.
For many years, the forest strategy and policy of the Albania state has been to increase the productivity
of the forests. This has been supported by local community and has been complimented by financial,
scientific and technical support from a number of overseas projects, with extra financial support,
notably over these last years from the World Bank as well as others financial donations.
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