The principal aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and qualitative and quantitative variability of essential oils obtained from seven naturally grown populations of thePinus peuceGrisebach, Pinaceae in Kosovo. Plant materials were collected from three populations in the Sharri National Park and from four other populations in the Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park, in Kosovo. Essential oils were obtained by steam distillation and analyzed by GC-FID (Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry). The results showed that the yield of essential oils (v/wdry weight) varied depending on the origin of population and the plant organs and ranged from 0.7 to 3.3%. In total, 51 compounds were identified. The main compounds wereα-pinene (needles: 21.6–34.9%; twigs: 11.0–24%),β-phellandrene (needles: 4.1–27.7; twigs: 29.0–49.8%), andβ-pinene (needles: 10.0–16.1; twigs: 6.9–20.7%). HCA (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis) and PCA (Principal Component Analyses) were used to assess geographical variations in essential oil composition. Statistical analysis showed that the analyzed populations are grouped in three main clusters which seem to reflect microclimatic conditions on the chemical composition of the essential oils.

This paper presents an overview of progress in the area of nature conservation in the last decade in Kosovo. Two very important laws were promulgated in 2012 about two national parks: Bjeshket e Nemuna and Sharri National park. With this expansion, the protected area network that in 2003 was about 4.36 % of the territory was increased to 10.9%, reaching a satisfactory degree of protected areas and increasing the number of protected areas in a total of 116. While in terms of conservation of protected areas a significant progress has been achieved, stagnation is seen in the conservation of rare and threatened species of flora and fauna. Although envisaged by legislation, the Red List of Kosovo of rare and threatened species has not been adopted yet. Also, there is a small progress in the implementation of practical conservation and management measures contained in the legislation.

The Pashtrik Mountain is one of the biodiversity centres in Kosovo and in the Balkans too, but so far there has not been a proper study with the aim to designate this area as a protected area. The natural values of this area changed dramatically during the last decade, especially in terms of biodiversity. With the aim to evaluate the current situation of the biodiversity, its flora, fauna, and plant communities were investigated. Its biodiversity values were assessed based on the review of the available relevant literature sources as well as the field research conducted during the period 2012– 2014. The study results show that the Pashtrik Mountain is rich in biodiversity values associated with a high diversity of ecosystems, landscape and other natural values. On the other hand, due to the lack of a protection status and appropriate biodiversity conservation programs, many of the species are threatened and some of them are critically endangered. Taking into consideration the natural values, the biodiversity and landscape of the area based on the provisions of the Law for Nature Conservation of Kosovo (Law No. 02/L18) Pashtrik should be declared as “Protected Landscape” that belongs to the category V protected areas according to IUCN, with an area of 25,060.00 hectares. Within the proposed protected area, a territory of 282 hectares should be declared as Strict Nature Reserve (1st category of protected areas of IUCN), since it is an area inhabited by the population of the steno-endemic plant species Cynoglossum krasniqii T. Wrab. Furthermore, the area needs the development of its spatial and management plan covering all aspects of vegetation, biodiversity, water, energy, waste, building and infrastructure in consultation and participation of all stakeholders, addressing related problems, such as illegal logging, constructions, transport, waste management, etc.