Bardh L. Xerxa, holds a PhD in Ecology and Environmental Sciences. Bardh studies freshwater invertebrates in Kosovo (focus on Mayflies) and is interested in questions of taxonomy, systematics, biogeography and ecology. Moreover, Bardh is an experienced Ecologist, specialising in freshwater biomonitoring using macroinvertebrates. Particular interest in Mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera).
I enjoy nature and I am devoted to environmental protection, awareness and sustainability for the future.
I’m passionate about our natural world and am always on the lookout for the next step in my career. Uomo UniversaleFirst checklist of mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) from Kosovo
EDUCATION
Ph.D. on Biological Sciences
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Animal Science and Zoology, Aquatic Science
5
Scopus Publications
32
Scholar Citations
3
Scholar h-index
2
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Kosovo: conservation status, key threats, and management priorities Bardh Xërxa, Agim Gashi Acta Biologica Slovenica, 2026 Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) are among the most ecologically sensitive and conservation-relevant components of freshwater ecosystems, yet they remain insufficiently integrated into conservation planning in Kosovo. This study presents an initial conservation-oriented synthesis — the first of its kind for Kosovo — of Ephemeroptera in Kosovo, integrating faunistic data, species richness, rarity and endemicity patterns, conservation status assessments, and threat identification. Kosovo currently harbours 48 mayfly species belonging to 20 genera and 9 families. Based on field surveys conducted at 12 sampling sites across all major river basins of Kosovo between 2017 and 2019, 18 species of conservation concern were identified, representing 37.5% of the total known national fauna (48 species). The IUCN categories of 18 species are: EN — 3 species; VU — 6 species; NT — 5 species; LC — 2 species; DD — 2 species. The fauna includes one rare European species (Metreletus balcanicus) and five Balkan endemics (Electrogena cf. mazedonica, Rhithrogena braaschi, Epeorus yugoslavicus, Ephemera cf. parnassiana, Caenis cf. strugaensis), highlighting Kosovo's importance within the Balkan freshwater biodiversity hotspot. Most conservation-relevant taxa exhibit restricted national distributions, with more than half recorded from single localities. National conservation assessments based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, supported by the Red Book of Fauna of Kosovo and national legal frameworks, indicate that three species qualify as Endangered, while most remaining rare taxa meet the criteria for Vulnerable due to limited area of occupancy and few locations. Lentic and large-river specialists (Caenis, Ephemera, Potamanthus) are especially underrepresented, reflecting habitat degradation and historical sampling bias. Two sites — S1-Blinaja and S2-Slivova — were identified as freshwater biodiversity hotspots based on cumulative species richness, number of threatened and endemic taxa. This assessment is acknowledged as a first baseline; it does not encompass all 48 known species, and the methodology will require expansion as additional monitoring data become available.
Evaluation of the Water Quality of the Prizren River (Kosovo) using Benthic Macroinvertebrates as Bioindicators Bardh Xërxa, Agim Gashi, Astrit Bilalli Acta Zoologica Bulgarica, 2025 This research evaluated the water quality of the Prizren River using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators, given their sensitivity to environmental changes and their utility in assessing aquatic ecosystem health. Sampling was conducted at six sites (L1-L6) along the main course of the river and two macroinvertebrate-based ecological indices were employed to determine the water quality status: the Family Biotic Index (FBI) and the richness of taxa of orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT). We identified macroinvertebrate taxa of 28 families (22 taxa of class Insecta and six – belonging to other macroinvertebrate groups). The values of the indices across the six sampling stations ranged between 1.3 and 9.2 for EPT family richness and between 3.4 and 6.6 for FBI. According to the data concerning macroinvertebrates, the water of the Prizren River was, overall, of good quality. There was severe water quality degradation at two downstream locations, emphasizing the necessity for enhanced water resource management. The findings indicated that the diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates varied across different sites, reflecting the ecological health of the river and, indirectly, the impacts of human activities on water quality. This research provided insights into the ecological health of the Prizren River, offering а valuable basis for future conservation and remediation efforts.
Seasonal fish diversity, distribution, and their relation to physicochemical parameters: A case study of the Lepenc River basin, Kosovo Linda Grapci-Kotori, Bardh Xërxa, Halil Ibrahimi, Astrit Bilalli, Donard Geci, Milica Ristovska, Katerina Rebok Ecological Engineering and Environmental Technology, 2025 This study presents the findings from three seasonal field surveys conducted in the Lepenc River and its tributaries during 2023. The surveys were carried out on May, July, and October, focusing on six sampling sites: Prevallë, Lepenc (Kaçanik), Hani i Elezit, Jezerc, Gerlicë, and Nerodime (Kaçanik). Standardized electrofishing technique was applied, in accordance with the methods used by the European Union Water Framework Directive (EU WFD) monitoring protocols, which have been implemented in many Balkan regions. A total of 790 fish specimens were caught, identified, measured, and subsequently released back into their natural habitats.The species found during this investigation were: Salmo sp., Barbus balcanicus , Squalius varedaresnisi , Alburnoides thessalicus , Alburnus thessalicus , Gobio balcanicus , Phoxinus sp., and Oxynoemacheilus bureschi . The sampling site in Gerlicë consistently showed no presence of fish, likely due to pollution. The findings provide a comprehensive overview of fish community composition and their seasonal variations, highlighting the influence of physicochemical parameters on aquatic biodiversity. The results emphasize the urgent need for conservation measures to address habitat degradation and pollution, ensuring the preservation and restoration of biodiversity in the Lepenc River Basin.
The impact of inhabited areas on the quality of streams and rivers of a high alpine municipality in southern kosovo Halil Ibrahimi, Astrit Bilalli, Agim Gashi, Bardh Xërxa, Linda Grapci-Kotori, Milaim Musliu Ecological Engineering and Environmental Technology, 2021 During the spring of 2011, forty-five macrozoobenthos samples were taken from streams and rivers all over the Dragash Municipality in order to assess the impact of inhabited areas in these freshwater ecosystems, considering the fact that there is no sewage treatment and waste management is dysfunctional in many parts of this Municipality. On the basis of the habitat structure evaluation, basic physical and chemical analysis and Family Biotic Index according to Hilsenhoff and EPT Index (Ephemeroptera Plecoptera Trichoptera), this study shows that the freshwater ecosystems in the Dragash Municipality are heavily polluted and impacted by human activities in their midstream and downstream segments. The main sources that deteriorate their natural ecological conditions in these segments are: load of all kinds of waste directly into the rivers and streams, industrial discharge into the freshwater ecosystems and the direct sewage discharge into the rivers and streams all over the municipality. This study also shows that the freshwater ecosystems of the area in their upper reaches are home to very interesting and rare composition of aquatic fauna. Several species and many potential ones which live only in this area and nowhere in Kosovo or abroad, or their distribution elsewhere is very limited, have been found.
First checklist of mayflies (Insecta, ephemeroptera) from Kosovo Bardh L. Xërxa, Michel Sartori, Agim Gashi, Jean-Luc Gattolliat Zookeys, 2019 This research provides the first systematic contribution to the mayfly (Ephemeroptera) Fauna of Kosovo. This investigation was conducted from March to November in 2017 and 2018; 32 sites were sampled covering the different freshwater ecosystems of the country. The first checklist of mayflies of Kosovo is provided. During this survey, we found 48 species belonging to 20 genera and nine families. The highest number of species belongs to the following two families, Heptageniidae (24) and Baetidae (9). This investigation is a contribution to the knowledge about taxonomy, biogeography, and ecology of mayflies of the Balkan Peninsula by giving new data on species composition and distribution range in Kosovo.
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Kosovo: conservation status, key threats, and management priorities B Xërxa, A Gashi Acta Biologica Slovenica 69 (3) , 2026 2026.0
Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Kosovo: conservation status, key threats, and management priorities XB Gashi A. https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.69.3.25866 69 (3), 15-26 , 2026 2026.0
The Conservation Status of EPT Taxa in Kosovo A Xerxa, B., Gashi, A., & Bilalli Royal Entomological Society-ENTO25 10 (25) , 2025 2025.0
Evaluation of the Water Quality of the Prizren River (Kosovo) Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates as Bioindicators B. Xërxa, Gashi,A. Bilalli Acta Zoologica Bulgarica 77 (2), 209-217 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 2
Seasonal fish diversity, distribution, and their relation to physicochemical parameters: a case study of the Lepenc River Basin, Kosovo L Grapci-Kotori, B Xërxa, H Ibrahimi, A Bilalli, D Geci, M Ristovska, ... Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology 26 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 3
Kosovo’s Protected Areas and Anthropogenic Pressures. XB Blakqori D. World Biodiversity Forum, Davos, Switzerland. AS-WBF-2024-0008. , 2024 2024.0
Mayfly fauna (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from the Karadak Mountains in Kosovo. X B. 4th Central European Symposium for Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Research … , 2024 2024.0
Biodiversity of Aquatic Insects’ Orders (EPT) in Kosovo. A XËRXA B. Ibrahimi, H. Gashi International Conference - Biodiversity and Biological Education in Sofia … , 2023 2023.0
Aquatic Insect Biodiversity in Kosovo: Challenges and Solutions, X B. World Biodiversity Forum, Davos, Switzerland. , 2022 2022.0
The Impact of Inhabited Areas on the Quality of Streams and Rivers of a High Alpine Municipality in Southern Kosovo BX Halil Ibrahimi, Astrit Bilali, Agim Gashi Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology (EEET) 22 (Issue 3, 2021 … , 2021 2021.0 Citations: 12
First checklist of mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) from Kosovo B Xërxa, Sartori, Gashi, Gattolliat ZooKeys 874 (874), 69-82 , 2019 2019.0 Citations: 10
First checklist of mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) from Kosovo. ZooKeys 874: 69–82 BL Xërxa, M Sartori, A Gashi, JL Gattolliat 2019.0 Citations: 5
Preliminary checklist of Mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) of Kosovo B.Xerxa, M.Sartori, J.L.Gattoillat 3rd Central Symposium For Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Research , 2018 2018.0
Kosovo’s Sharri National Park Predicting and managing climate-change impacts V Meretsky, B XERXA 2016.0
THE IMPACT OF INHABITED AREAS ON QUALITY OF STREAMS AND RIVERS OF A HIGH ALPINE MUNICIPALITY IN SOUTHERN KOSOVO BX Halil Ibrahimi, Agim Gashi, Astrit Billali Conference: Conference of Ecologists of Montenegro with International … , 2015 2015.0
Sustainable Development Atlas P Bank, F Bemmerlein-Lux, I Gagica, E Hajredini Framework for a comprehensive and balanced rural development for the … , 2012 2012.0
Mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) of the Blinajë Hunting Reserve in Kosovo BL Xërxa, A Gashi, V Peja, H Ibrahimi, A Bilalli
Stephen’s Creek A Nurre, E Walker, L Graham, J Bennett, B Xerxa
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
The Impact of Inhabited Areas on the Quality of Streams and Rivers of a High Alpine Municipality in Southern Kosovo BX Halil Ibrahimi, Astrit Bilali, Agim Gashi Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology (EEET) 22 (Issue 3, 2021 … , 2021 2021.0 Citations: 12
First checklist of mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) from Kosovo B Xërxa, Sartori, Gashi, Gattolliat ZooKeys 874 (874), 69-82 , 2019 2019.0 Citations: 10
First checklist of mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) from Kosovo. ZooKeys 874: 69–82 BL Xërxa, M Sartori, A Gashi, JL Gattolliat 2019.0 Citations: 5
Seasonal fish diversity, distribution, and their relation to physicochemical parameters: a case study of the Lepenc River Basin, Kosovo L Grapci-Kotori, B Xërxa, H Ibrahimi, A Bilalli, D Geci, M Ristovska, ... Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology 26 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 3
Evaluation of the Water Quality of the Prizren River (Kosovo) Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates as Bioindicators B. Xërxa, Gashi,A. Bilalli Acta Zoologica Bulgarica 77 (2), 209-217 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 2
Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Kosovo: conservation status, key threats, and management priorities B Xërxa, A Gashi Acta Biologica Slovenica 69 (3) , 2026 2026.0
Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Kosovo: conservation status, key threats, and management priorities XB Gashi A. https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.69.3.25866 69 (3), 15-26 , 2026 2026.0
The Conservation Status of EPT Taxa in Kosovo A Xerxa, B., Gashi, A., & Bilalli Royal Entomological Society-ENTO25 10 (25) , 2025 2025.0
Kosovo’s Protected Areas and Anthropogenic Pressures. XB Blakqori D. World Biodiversity Forum, Davos, Switzerland. AS-WBF-2024-0008. , 2024 2024.0
Mayfly fauna (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from the Karadak Mountains in Kosovo. X B. 4th Central European Symposium for Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Research … , 2024 2024.0
Biodiversity of Aquatic Insects’ Orders (EPT) in Kosovo. A XËRXA B. Ibrahimi, H. Gashi International Conference - Biodiversity and Biological Education in Sofia … , 2023 2023.0
Aquatic Insect Biodiversity in Kosovo: Challenges and Solutions, X B. World Biodiversity Forum, Davos, Switzerland. , 2022 2022.0
Preliminary checklist of Mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) of Kosovo B.Xerxa, M.Sartori, J.L.Gattoillat 3rd Central Symposium For Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Research , 2018 2018.0
Kosovo’s Sharri National Park Predicting and managing climate-change impacts V Meretsky, B XERXA 2016.0
THE IMPACT OF INHABITED AREAS ON QUALITY OF STREAMS AND RIVERS OF A HIGH ALPINE MUNICIPALITY IN SOUTHERN KOSOVO BX Halil Ibrahimi, Agim Gashi, Astrit Billali Conference: Conference of Ecologists of Montenegro with International … , 2015 2015.0
Sustainable Development Atlas P Bank, F Bemmerlein-Lux, I Gagica, E Hajredini Framework for a comprehensive and balanced rural development for the … , 2012 2012.0
Mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) of the Blinajë Hunting Reserve in Kosovo BL Xërxa, A Gashi, V Peja, H Ibrahimi, A Bilalli
Stephen’s Creek A Nurre, E Walker, L Graham, J Bennett, B Xerxa
Publications
First checklist of mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) from Kosovo
Seasonal fish diversity, distribution, and their relation to physicochemical parameters: a case study of the Lepenc River Basin, Kosovo
RESEARCH OUTPUTS (PATENTS, SOFTWARE, PUBLICATIONS, PRODUCTS)
Dr. Bardh L. Xërxa is a freshwater ecologist from Kosovo, specializing in the study of aquatic macroinvertebrates, with a particular focus on mayflies (Ephemeroptera). He earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Ecology from the Department of Biology at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Pristina. Dr. Xërxa's research primarily centers on the biodiversity, taxonomy, and ecology of freshwater invertebrates in Kosovo. His notable contributions include the publication titled "First checklist of mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) from Kosovo," which provides a comprehensive overview of mayfly species in the region. In addition to his research, Dr. Xërxa has been involved in assessing the impact of human activities on freshwater ecosystems. For instance, he co-authored a study examining the effects of inhabited areas on the quality of streams and rivers in a high alpine municipality in southern Kosovo. Dr. Xërxa has also contributed to discussions on environmental and climate challenges in Kosovo, as evidenced by his work titled "Kosovo's Challenges in implementing Environmental Action Dr. Xërxa's work is instrumental in advancing the understanding of freshwater biodiversity in Kosovo and addressing climate and environmental challenges.
