Lake Skadar, Albania

Restoring the Balkan’s largest lake

Straddling the borders of Albania and Montenegro, Lake Skadar is a breathtaking natural wonder. Its waters and wetlands are home to a rich array of wildlife, including 281 bird species and 49 fish species, including the majestic Dalmatian Pelican and the graceful Whiskered Tern.

But decades of deforestation, agricultural runoff, and barriers to fish migration have taken their toll, threatening this fragile ecosystem. PPNEA, BirdLife’s Partner in Albania is leading a mission to restore Lake Skadar’s natural habitats.

Our Future Vision

Straddling the borders of Albania and Montenegro, Lake Skadar is a breathtaking natural wonder. Its waters and wetlands are home to a rich array of wildlife, including 281 bird species and 49 fish species, including the majestic Dalmatian Pelican and the graceful Whiskered Tern.

But decades of deforestation, agricultural runoff, and barriers to fish migration have taken their toll, threatening this fragile ecosystem. PPNEA, BirdLife’s Partner in Albania is leading a mission to restore Lake Skadar’s natural habitats.

NOW

2050

THE LAKE AT A GLANCE

280+
Species

6+
Habitat types

49,600
Hectares

Habitat types
wetlands, reed beds, marshes, wet meadows, swamps, riparian forest

Key Species
Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida), Skadar Oak (Quercus robur ssp scutariensis), White Willow (Salix alba), Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Small flowered tamarisk (Tamarix parviflora), White Poplar (Populus alba), Skadar Bleak (Alburnus scoranza), European Eel (Anguilla anguilla), Twaite Shad (Alosa fallax), Adriatic Sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii), Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser sturio)

Designations
Protected Area,Ramsar Site

Main causes of degradation
Deforestation, extensive land reclamation for agriculture, urbanization, infrastructure development including hydropower plants and dams, wildfires, erosion

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Our plan: Restoring the lake for nature, people, and the planet

Restore 2,000 hectares of forests and wet meadows along the northern shores of Skadar Lake, reducing agricultural runoff into the lake and improving water quality.

Seed and plant 1,000 hectares of the Tarabosh slopes, significantly decreasing the risks of wildfires and erosion.

Restore 120 hectares of marshland along the Buna River by 20% to boost the lake’s capacity to support wildlife.

Implement organic farming practices and reduce fertilizer use on at least 100 hectares of agricultural land.

Identify and address the root causes of sturgeon decline, restoring habitats and removing barriers that disrupt their migration to support reintroduction of this species.

Dhuroni

Kontributi juaj financiar mund të jetë një ndihmë e madhe për ne që të punojmë për të mbrojtur të ardhmen e mjedisit natyror në Shqipëri.