LakeSkadar
Shkoder, 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
Lake Skadar and its surrounding area are a vibrant natural corridor between the Albanian Alps and the Adriatic Sea, teeming with life and resilient to climate change. Rivers flow freely and traditional small-scale fisheries flourish alongside sustainable agriculture. Forests and wetlands have been restored, offering diverse habitats that support species like sturgeon and migratory birds. Through cross-border cooperation and climate-adaptive practices, Skadar Lake shows how nature and people can thrive together.
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
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.
“I grew up by the shores of Lake Skadar, surrounded by the vibrant birdlife that made it truly unique. But over the years, its ecosystems have degraded. It’s time to restore what’s lost. By bringing back forests, reviving wet meadows, restoring marshlands, and protecting key species, we can rebuild this vital corridor between the Accursed Mountains and the Adriatic Sea.”Ledi Selgjekaj – Project coordinator at PPNEA
