Landscape at Risk: Assessment of Habitats and Anthropogenic Pressures in the Narta Lagoon Protected Area, Albania
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The Narta Lagoon, part of the "Vjosë-Nartë-Pishë Poro" Protected Landscape, is characterized by a rich mosaic of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, where natural dynamics and anthropogenic impacts interact to create unique coastal landscapes.The study was carried out during the spring-summer period of 2023-2024 through botanical field expeditions, where diagnostic and dominant plants of habitat types were identified based on the Natura 2000 ecologiacal network, in accordance with European Directive 92/43/EEC "On the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora".The results show a broad mosaic of ecosystems that include aquatic, lagoonal, halophytic, dune and forest habitats, forming a clear ecological transition from marine to terrestrial environments.Several main habitat types have been identified, such as: river estuaries (1130), coastal lagoons (1150), Mediterranean salt meadows and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs (1410 and 1420), mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia) (1510), shifting dunes along shore lines (2120), forests with Pinus halepensis (9540) and alluvial forests with Salix alba and Populus alba (3280).The study also highlighted the presence of two plant species, Anacamptis piramidalis and Ruscus aculeatus are listed in the annexes of HD 92/43/EEC and ten others are listed in the national red list as threatened species.No globally threatened species were identified, although invasive species and human activities pose a potential threat to ecological balance.The Narta Lagoon represents a sustainable and complex system of Mediterranean ecosystems, with great scientific and conservation values.Sustainable management, continuous monitoring and control of anthropogenic impacts are essential for the preservation of this unique natural landscape.
DOI: 10.31407/ijees15.628
Authors: Geolind Çobaj, Mihallaq Qirjo, Hajdar Kicaj, Lulëzim Shuka
Institutions: University of Vlora "Ismail Qemali", University of Tirana
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4417536596