Overview
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.
Forest and Forest land
Based on the National Forest Inventory of 2012, Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999)’s forest area covers 481,000 hectares, accounting for 44.7% of the total land area. Approximately 62% of these forests are state-owned, while the remaining 38% are privately owned.
Between 2002 and 2012, Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999)’s forest area expanded by 5%, potentially due to the conversion of agricultural land into forested areas and increased urban development. The agricultural area decreased during this period.
Forest area
481 000
ha
The forest composition in Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999) includes deciduous forests (more than 93% of the total forest area) dominated by species like oaks, beech, ash, and dogwood, along with softwood species such as birch, maple, linden, and alder. Coniferous forests, covering nearly 7% of the forest area, include species like spruce, hornbeam, and pine, distributed among various structural classes.
Out of the total forest area, 38% (180,800 ha) is privately owned, while 62% (295,200 ha) is publicly owned. Coppice forests, managed for short rotations to produce wood for heating and other domestic purposes, make up 84% of the forest area.
Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999)’s forests store an estimated 24 million tons of carbon, and the total standing volume is approximately 40.5 million m³ (with a diameter greater than 7 cm at chest height). Beech forests (Fagus sp.) account for the highest standing volume, followed by oak forests.
Two national parks, “Bjeshket e Nemuna” and “Sharri,” covering over 10% of Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999)’s total area, are located in the country’s mountainous regions and support a diverse range of plant and animal species.
Agricultural Land
Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999)’s land is categorized into agricultural (38.53%), forest and forest land (44.11%), urban land (4.40%), and others (12.96%). Agricultural land use, particularly meadows and pastures (51.7%), remained stable. Arable land accounts for 44.8% of agricultural land.
Urbanization and population growth have led to the conversion of agricultural land into construction land. Historically, mismanagement and a lack of development plans have also contributed to the loss of agricultural land.
Agricultural land
309 000
ha
Agricultural surfaces according to utilization categories (Source: Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999)
Natural Heritage and Protected Areas
Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999) boasts 248 protected nature areas, covering 11.5% of its total area. These include 19 Nature Reserves, 2 National Parks (Sharri and Bjeshket e Nemuna), and 219 Monuments of Nature. One unique feature is the Nerodime River, which splits into two branches flowing into different seas. Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/1999) also has hunting sites like “Blinaja” and “Duboçaku” spread across various municipalities. Additionally, there are cultural heritage areas complementing the natural treasures.