PRESENCE AND ASSESSMENT OF RIPARIAN FLORA ALONG THE MIDDLE COURSE OF THE SHKUMBIN RIVER NEAR THE MIRAKA AREA

In its middle course, the Shkumbin River flows across Central Albania, traversing the urban centers of Librazhd, Elbasan, and Peqin, forming characteristic riparian habitats along its banks. The climate in these areas is Mediterranean, with irregular distribution of precipitation, alluvial soils, and fertile fields. These riparian areas are characterized by high floristic diversity and significant ecological value. The study was conducted along the middle course of the Shkumbin River, in riparian habitats mainly located near the Miraka area. To evaluate the floristic diversity of these riparian areas, we conducted fieldwork in spring and summer 2025. Overall, we collected 310 plant materials. For data evaluation and comparison, we highlight the plant taxa collected near the Miraka area to assess their biodiversity, current status, conservation priorities, and human impacts. The analysis of the floristic data showed that the most widespread families are Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Compositae, with the Plantaginaceae family exhibiting particularly high representation. The area's systematic composition highlights Mediterranean, Cosmopolitan, and Paleotemperate elements. The distribution of life forms indicates a Mediterranean influence, particularly evident in the dominance of hemicryptophytes, therophytes, and phanerophytes. The studied riparian areas exhibit significant anthropogenic influence, as reflected in their floristic composition compared to that of other sites along the river. Across the riparian environments, we found species such as Papaver dubium L., Veronica polita Fr., and Trifolium resupinatum L., which provide a different ecological perspective on the impact of human activities, given their synanthropic occurrence.