Landuse
Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999), in southeastern Europe, borders Albania to the southwest, Montenegro to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast, and North Macedonia to the south. It covers 10,905.25 km², with altitudes ranging from 270 m to 2,656 m. High mountains surround Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999), including Gjeravica (2,656 m). These mountains can be categorized as peripheral and central.
Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999) experiences a continental climate with variations due to its topography. It has four river basins, flowing into the Black Sea, the Adriatic Sea, and the Aegean Sea. The region’s diverse natural factors support economic development.
Demography
The latest population data for Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999) is from the 2011 census, which recorded 1,780,021 residents. This included 50.30% males and 49.70% females. Various sources, including censuses, updates, registers, and surveys, are used to estimate population figures. Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999) has a youthful population, with an average age of 30.2 years in 2011. The average life expectancy for that year was 76.7 years (79.4 for women and 74.1 for men).
Climate Change
Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999) experiences Mediterranean-continental and European-continental climatic influences. Local factors affecting climate include geography, water bodies, terrain, and vegetation. Eastern Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999), including Fushegropa e Kosova, Llapi, Drenica, and Ana-Morave, is colder than the western Dukagjin Plain. The average annual temperature is 9.5°C, with July being the hottest month (19.2°C) and January the coldest (-1.3°C). Precipitation varies across Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999), with eastern regions receiving around 600 mm annually and western areas over 700 mm. Snowfall occurs primarily in the mountains for over 100 days. Wind speeds range from 1.3 m/s (Peja) to 2.4 m/s (Ferizaj), with maximum speeds in March and April. Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999) enjoys an average of 2,066 hours of sunshine annually, with Prishtina receiving the most (2,140 hours) and Peja the least (1,958 hours). Temperatures have shown an increasing trend since 1900.
Organizational Setup of Landscape Fire Management
Legislation
Legislation relevant to forest and fire protection in Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999):
Landscape fires
Landscape fires in Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999) (2000-2021):
The frequency of landscape fires in Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999) has increased since 2007, mirroring global trends attributed to climate change and forest degradation. These wildfires have become a significant ecological problem, resulting in severe environmental, ecological, social, and economic damage. It is imperative that responsible institutions take immediate action to enhance the wildfire management system.
The total burnt area for the period from 2000 to 2022 is 34992 and the total number of forest fires is 2318.
Burnt areas:
34 992
ha
Number of forest fires:
2318
Fire risk assessment
Landscape Fire Risk Assessment in Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999)
Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999) acknowledges the need to assess risks associated with natural and other disasters. This comprehensive assessment identifies threats, assesses their severity, and pinpoints opportunities for prevention, risk reduction, response, recovery, and minimizing the consequences of such events. It lays the foundation for a National Response Plan at both central and local levels, utilizing the combined efforts of governmental, private, NGO, and technical resources to safeguard the lives of Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999)’s citizens from natural, technical, and human-induced disasters.
SWOT Analysis
The report highlights several strengths and weaknesses in the Landscape Fire Management (LFM) in Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999).