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2018 | Book

The Skadar/Shkodra Lake Environment

Editors: Vladimir Pešić, Prof. Dr. Gordan Karaman, Andrey G. Kostianoy

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Book Series : The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry

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About this book

This book reviews the unique ecosystem of the Lake Skadar/Shkodra and its basin, and discusses the latest advances made in this region to face the impact of climate change. Divided into 23 chapters, the book gathers leading expertise from various scientific and engineering communities and provides readers with extensive discussions of core issues, including the water and sediment chemistry of Lake Skadar/Shkodra and the metal pollution that is evident in plants, aquatic invertebrates and fish. Readers will discover how a sustainable science-based management approach can be applied to the Lake Skadar/Shkodra region, and will learn about the environment prospects for the region. This book is intended as an essential tool for all scientists interested in the Lake Skadar/Shkodra environment – in particular those investigating the interactions between land and water, between limnology and biota, and between natural and cultural resources.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
Introduction
Abstract
In this volume, for the first time, the current knowledge on the environment of the Lake Skadar/Shkodra ecosystem has been brought together in one overview of this unique ecosystem. The last similar book on Lake Skadar/Shkodra was published in 1981. Over the last four decades, a lot of new knowledge about Lake Skadar/Shkodra has been accumulated in various fields of science. Altogether, this book includes 23 chapters and brings together researchers of many disciplines synthesizing the fragmented knowledge on Lake Skadar/Shkodra and its basin in a book which will improve our understanding of this ecosystem and the path toward sustainable and science-based ecosystem management. This book is a basic tool for all scientists interested in the environment of Lake Skadar/Shkodra – in particular for scientists investigating the interaction between the land and the water, between limnology and biota, and between natural and cultural resources. This book is intended for a wider audience as well as for decision-makers, in order to emphasize the necessity of protecting this unique ecosystem, which today is exposed to various forms of anthropogenic impact.
Vladimir Pešić, Gordan S. Karaman, Andrey G. Kostianoy
The Physical and Geographical Characteristics of the Lake Skadar Basin
Abstract
Lake Skadar/Shkodra is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula, located in the Western Balkans with approximately 65% of its surface belonging to Montenegro and around 35% to Albania. The lake consists of two parts which correspond to the two circulation systems within the lake: the smaller part, Vučko blato, in the northwest and the larger, main part of the lake called Velje blato to the southeast – these two parts are connected by a narrow opening (of about 50 m in width) at the south end of the causeway at Vranjina.
The Lake Skadar basin is unique in its physical and geographical characteristics due to its position in the karst terrain of the Visoki Krš tectonic zone in the outer part of the Dinaric Alps. This region is characterized by a high degree of karstification, including various underground karst forms, among which the caves belonging to the so-called system of the Cetinje Caves (Cetinje, Obod, and Lipa Caves) and the Trnovska Caves (Grbočica, Bobotuša, and Spila) are the most famous. The Lake Skadar transboundary area is home to around half a million people, and it is economically the most important part of Montenegro that is home to around one third of the total population. Today this region faces a number of environmental problems related to inappropriate spatial planning, pollution, and regional climate change.
Goran Barović, Velibor Spalević, Vladimir Pešić, Duško Vujačić
Hydrogeology of the Skadar Lake Basin
Abstract
The Skadar Lake basin belongs to the Dinarides mountain chain, which is well-known for classical karst terrains. In this area, we find a variety of karst phenomenon, from minor landforms (karren) to large karst depressions (poljes) on the surface, as well as networks of various karst conduits and caves underground. Also, almost all hydrogeological phenomena are present in this area (typical karst springs, sublacustrine springs, intermittent springs, swallow holes and estavelles). In addition to the inflow of surface water, Skadar Lake is also recharged directly by groundwater. It flows out through numerous sublacustrine springs distributed along the littoral zone. The assessed inflow of groundwater to the lake amounts to around 55 m3/s (17% of the total water budget). If we take the mean specific yield as a comparison parameter, the Skadar Lake basin represents one of the richest basins of fresh water in the world (54 l/s/km2). However, because of the karst regime of flow characterized by large fluctuations, in summer numerous karst springs dry up, and the inflow from rivers decreases significantly. At this time of year, the importance of the lake is particularly evident, because it still retains a considerable amount of fresh water. Special attention should be paid to the protection of this water as it represents one of the most valuable natural resources in the region.
Milan M. Radulović
The Obscure History of the Lake Skadar and Its Biota: A Perspective for Future Research
Abstract
The Lake Skadar and its basin, representing the classic karst of the Dinarides with a very complex hydrogeology, are unique areas with high landscape heterogeneity and rich species diversity, including numerous endemic species from various taxonomic groups. However, the geological history of the Lake Skadar basin remains poorly understood, with several hypotheses on its origins. Also, the evolutionary history of local biodiversity and its link with the palaeogeography of the area are largely unknown. However, recent accumulation of studies upon some model taxa, such as crustaceans, molluscs or fish, provides space for at least some generalisation.
Michał Grabowski, Aleksandra Jabłońska, Anna Wysocka, Vladimir Pešić
Climate Change in the Lake Skadar/Shkodra Region
Abstract
IPCC Assessment Reports on Climate Change indicate that in the twenty-first century, climate change will be accompanied by an increase in the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme natural phenomena such as extreme atmospheric precipitation or droughts, extremely high or low air temperatures, etc. In this chapter, we briefly review general characteristics of climate and climate change in the coastal region of Montenegro. Then, using data from ERA-20C, which is the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) first atmospheric reanalysis of the twentieth century from 1900 till 2010, we are analyzing linear trends and variability of the characteristics of extreme climate events of near-surface air temperature, wind speed, sea-level pressure, snow depth, cloud cover, and atmospheric precipitation for 1950–2010 in the region of Lake Skadar/Shkodra. For the first time, we determined interannual variability of frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme meteorological events in this region, which is a source of valuable information for better understanding the present and future Lake Skadar/Shkodra environment and ecosystem characteristics.
Andrey G. Kostianoy, Ilya V. Serykh, Evgeniia A. Kostianaia
Satellite Remote Sensing of Lake Skadar/Shkodra
Abstract
In this chapter, we show capabilities of satellite remote sensing for environmental monitoring of Lake Skadar/Shkodra. A small size of the lake requires usage of high-resolution satellite optical, infrared, and radar data from the ETM+ Landsat-7, OLI and TIRS Landsat-8, MSI Sentinel-2A, Sentinel-1A, Sentinel-1B, and other space platforms with spatial resolution of 1–30 m, which is demonstrated in the chapter. Most of high-resolution satellite data are very expensive; this is why we focused on those data, which are available free of charge. Examples of processed satellite imagery of Lake Skadar/Shkodra in true color, sea surface temperature, water turbidity, chlorophyll-a concentration, and lake surface roughness are presented. Establishing of permanent integrated satellite monitoring of the lake is a key task in order to better understand the Lake Skadar/Shkodra environment and ecosystem, as well as transboundary processes characteristic for the lake.
Andrey G. Kostianoy, Dmitry M. Soloviev, Evgeniia A. Kostianaia, Alexander M. Sirota
The Water and Sediment Chemistry of Lake Skadar
Abstract
Lacustrine systems are complex water systems in terms of the transport and interaction with chemical substances. This work aims to contribute as the basis for (1) further testing for the purposes of adopting a final method of the systematic monitoring of the state of the environment of Lake Skadar and (2) defining pollution prediction modeling based on comparative analyses of the content of the chemical parameters in the abiotic and biotic parts of the lake ecosystem. Freshwater systems can not only be contaminated at different levels but are also exposed to fairly long-term pollution caused by chemicals deposited in sediments. The existing data clearly indicate that the planned monitoring of the chemical composition of sediment samples taken from sites under anthropogenic influence, together with the analysis of other indicators of the aquatic environment, enables us to quickly and comprehensively recognize the current situation of what are still largely preserved and extremely important ecosystems such as Lake Skadar.
Vlatko Kastratović
Metal Pollution: Evidences from Plants, Aquatic Invertebrates and Fish from Lake Skadar
Abstract
Over recent decades, Lake Skadar and its basin have experienced varying states of pollution by heavy metals which originate mainly from the industrial waste and sewage waters in the Montenegrin and Albanian part of the lake, respectively. This paper aims to give an overview of our knowledge of heavy metals in macrophytes, aquatic invertebrates (molluscs) and fish from Lake Skadar and their potential as biomonitoring agents for environmental monitoring. Up to now, heavy metals have been investigated in five macrophytes, one mollusc (Viviparus mamillatus) and seven fish species from Lake Skadar. The obtained results showed that several macrophytes, snails and fish species can be successfully used to assess heavy metal pollution of Lake Skadar. Moreover, it has been shown that the heavy metal concentrations tend to be non-uniformly distributed among the different organs of macrophytes, snails and fishes from Lake Skadar indicating that different tissues can be used as biomonitoring agents of heavy metal contamination. In order to draw conclusions on the current degree of heavy metal pollution of the Lake Skadar ecosystem, an integrated approach which combines the analysis of heavy metals in the water, sediment and aquatic organisms is urgently required.
Vesna Vukašinović-Pešić, Nada Blagojević
The Phytoplankton and Trophic State of Lake Skadar/Shkodra
Abstract
According to the high number of registered microalgae (1,069 taxa), Lake Skadar represents one of the biodiversity hot spots of Europe. The lake is unstratified, due to its shallowness and vertical mixing caused by the wind-driven hydrodynamics. The main limiting factor for phytoplankton growth in Lake Skadar is the amount of phosphorus. The phytoplankton dynamics and distribution are generally governed by meteorological and hydrological factors that induce distinct temporal and spatial heterogeneity. The central, pelagic zone of the lake is characterized by the dominance of euplanktonic species, mostly centric diatoms, during the whole annual cycle. The western and northwestern, more isolated, and shallower parts of the lake have a greater abundance of greens and blue-greens (that overdominate diatoms during the summer) and a higher percentage of resuspended benthic-epiphytic forms. The average chlorophyll a concentration indicates mesotrophic conditions in Lake Skadar, but during midsummer, when the highest phytoplankton abundance and biomass occurs, the trophic level of the lake increases to eutrophy. Comparison to former phytoplankton data shows distinct differences in terms of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the phytoplankton community of Lake Skadar, which indicate lake eutrophication.
Jelena Rakočević
Charophytes (Charales) of Lake Skadar/Shkodra: Ecology and Distribution
Abstract
Charophytes or stoneworts (Charales, Characeae) are submerged green macroscopic algae of great importance for the environmental and economic sustainability of the aquatic ecosystem of Lake Skadar/Shkodra. In the course of many years of research of these algae in the Montenegrin and the Albanian part of Lake Skadar/Shkodra, 30 taxa of charophytes have been registered in the rank of species, forms and varieties. These taxa belong to the four genera of the Characeae family existing in the lake – namely, Chara, Nitella, Tolypella and Nitellopsis. The largest number of taxa belongs to the genus Chara, namely, 12 species, 3 forms and 2 varieties, 10 species belong to the genus Nitella, 2 species belong to the genus Tolypella and, finally, only 1 species belongs to the genus Nitellopsis. The ecological and phytocenological characteristics of each taxon, as well as the hydrological and geomorphological characteristics of their finding sites, are presented in order to emphasize the fact that Lake Skadar/Shkodra is one of the most significant charophyte diversity centres in the Balkan Peninsula. All the data presented in this study are based on our own field investigations, as well as herbarium and literature surveys.
Jelena Blaženčić, Lefter Kashta, Aleksandra Vesić, Vera Biberdžić, Branka Stevanović
The Diversity of the Flora and Vegetation of Lake Skadar/Shkodra
Abstract
Research on the vascular flora of the Lake Skadar basin started in the middle of the nineteenth century when the German botanist Wilhelm Ebel visited this area in 1841. Based on the available literature and our unpublished data, a total of 1,396 taxa from 131 families and 588 genera have been reported from the area of the Lake Skadar National Park. The chorological structure showed that the Mediterranean-Sub-Mediterranean (28.7%) and Eurasian (24.9%) groups dominate. A phytogeographical analysis of the biological spectrum of the vascular flora revealed that hemicryptophytes (33.6%) and therophytes (32.4%) are most numerous. One element that is characteristic of the vascular flora of Lake Skadar basin is the high percentage of endemic species including a large number of locus classicus sites. Moreover, 40 species and subspecies that are endemic, and 42 species that are subendemic in the Balkan Peninsula were recorded in the flora of the Lake Skadar area. An analysis of the vegetation of Lake Skadar revealed the presence of 134 plant communities classified in 65 alliances, 48 orders and 30 classes. There are 50 taxa of vascular plants protected at the national and international level and 23 European Natural Habitat Types (Annex I of the Habitat Directive) that exist in the area of the Lake Skadar National Park.
Sead Hadžiablahović
The Zooplankton of Lake Skadar/Shkodra: Species Diversity and Abundance
Abstract
The most common groups of freshwater metazooplankton in Lake Skadar/Shkodra are rotifers, copepods, and cladoceran microcrustacean. Rotifers dominate in the zooplankton and consist of about 58% of the entire zooplankton species, while Copepoda and Cladocera are represented by 29 and 54 species, respectively. The copepod and cladoceran species found in the lake are common in the wider region with specific presences in different lake areas. The presence of rotifers in the plankton of Lake Skadar shows a clear difference in terms of both abundance and composition. During different periods of investigation, a clear similarity in the horizontal distribution of the zooplankton was revealed and it reflects the major water movements in Lake Skadar/Shkodra. The water movements and flow from the north to the south are sufficiently large and show only minor modifications due to the local winds. In a situation of limited investigation or vegetation influences (in the extensively developed northern and southeastern zones of the lake), it is apparent that the main drivers in determining the diversity and horizontal distribution of zooplankton in Lake Skadar/Shkodra have to be explained by the movement of the water masses, the influence of river inflows, differences in temperature values, the low nutrient content, and the differences in nutrient content.
Spase Shumka, Maria Špoljar, Orhideja Tasevska
The Diversity of the Zoobenthos Communities of the Lake Skadar/Shkodra Basin
Abstract
Zoobenthos is an important component of the aquatic ecosystems of the Lake Skadar basin and represents a reliable bioindicator of environmental degradation. In Lake Skadar, the zoobenthos communities exhibit different patterns with regard to abundance and community composition in the nearshore and the open lake zones. The greatest diversity of benthic invertebrates was generally found in the nearshore environment. Oligochaeta, Chironomidae, and mollusks dominated in the macrozoobenthos of Lake Skadar. The lake meiobenthos is less studied and is dominated by ostracods, copepod, and cladoceran species. The current knowledge of the diversity of the 22 zoobenthic groups from Lake Skadar and its basin are summed up here. Lake Skadar has experienced gradual eutrophication and the impact of nonnative species over the past several decades that have affected the zoobenthos communities. Continuous monitoring of the zoobenthos communities is recommended for inclusion in the ongoing national and transboundary Lake Skadar assessment projects.
Vladimir Pešić, Piotr Gadawski, Bogić Gligorović, Peter Glöer, Michal Grabowski, Tibor Kovács, David Murányi, Mateusz Płóciennik, Danijela Šundić
The Diversity and Conservation Status of the Molluscs of Lake Skadar/Shkodra
Abstract
Research on the aquatic molluscs of Lake Skadar has a long tradition, starting with the paper published by Küster in 1843. The Lake Skadar basin consists of the lake itself and a variety of nearby water bodies, including lotic waters, pools, and springs that are inhabited by diverse communities of freshwater molluscs. A total of 53 freshwater mollusc species, ten species of Bivalvia and 43 species of Gastropoda, have been found in the Lake Skadar basin and Lake Šasko, with 15 being endemic. Some of the basin’s endemic species are common and relatively unconfined in terms of depths and zones. A characteristic feature of the lake is the presence of endemic species restricted to sublacustrine spring habitats. The lake’s ongoing process of eutrophication, its use as a water supply, and the ecological disruption caused by non-native species are generally recognized as the main threats to the lake’s mollusc fauna. Future research on the lake’s gastropod fauna should focus on the application of molecular methods and including the endemic species in ongoing national and transboundary conservation programs.
Vladimir Pešić, Peter Glöer
The Diversity of Water Mite Assemblages (Acari: Parasitengona: Hydrachnidia) of Lake Skadar/Shkodra and Its Catchment Area
Abstract
Water mites in the Lake Skadar catchment area inhabit a wide range of aquatic habitats, including lotic, lentic, interstitial, and temporary waters. Altogether 53 water mite species are known for Lake Skadar and its associated water bodies. The indicative feature of the water mite assemblage of Lake Skadar is the absence of water mites from a huge astatic zone of Lake Skadar and their poor representation in the shallow phytolittoral zone. It is very likely that this is caused by the fact that the fingerling of many commercial fish species in Lake Skadar and the mosquito fish and the topmouth gudgeon are present in a fairly large quantities in the flood plain inundated area and the phytolittoral zone of Lake Skadar. In addition, the following topics are addressed: (1) the diversity of water mites assemblages from spring habitats – the presence and share of crenobiontic species in the different spring types of the Lake Skadar catchment area; (2) the communities colonizing the running water and the interstitial habitats of the Lake Skadar catchment area, respectively, and their similarities and differences; and (3) the impact of seasonal intermittence on water mite assemblages.
Andrzej Zawal, Vladimir Pešić
Parasites of Lake Skadar
Abstract
During the period between 1964 and 1984, a total of 28 vertebrate host species from Lake Skadar were examined for parasites (18 fish, 3 amphibian, 2 reptilian and 5 bird species). The number of host individuals studied was about 10,522. The authors, who performed the investigations, stated 123 species of adult parasites, out of which 11 were proposed as the new species. Additionally, 25 more species were partly determined in adult or juvenile and larval stage. The studied parasite species from Lake Skadar belong to the following groups: apicomplexans, coccidians, trypanosomatids, myxozoans, monogeneans, digeneans, cestodes, nematodes, acanthocephalans, copepods and branchiurans. Some ecological features of the host-parasite interrelations, such as prevalence, abundance, host specificity and parasite life cycle, are discussed.
Branko Radujković, Danijela Šundić
The Diversity and Endemism of Aquatic Subterranean Fauna of the Lake Skadar/Shkodra Basin
Abstract
Based on the published data, approximately 90 stygobiotic species are known from aquatic subterranean environment of the Lake Skadar Basin. Crustacea are the most diverse faunistic group with 54 species, followed by Gastropoda and Acari with 22 and 12 species, respectively. Turbellaria are represented by two species, while Annelida are represented by one Hirudinea species. The highest number of stygobionts was stated for cave Obodska pećina. The largest number of stygobiotic species has been reported from cave waters, followed by springs and interstitial waters, while a lower number was found in wells. Crustacean Copepoda and Amphipoda are the most diverse in cave waters, while Hydrachnidia is the most diverse group in interstitial waters.
Vladimir Pešić, Gordan S. Karaman, Boris Sket
The Ichthyofauna of Lake Skadar/Shkodra: Diversity, Economic Significance, Condition, and Conservation Status
Abstract
The freshwater ichthyofauna of Lake Skadar/Shkodra consists of 59 species belonging to 18 families (17 of which are native), including diadromous, euryhaline, and introduced ones. Of these, 44 are native to the watershed, whereas 15 are introduced. Seven species are endemic (now present): Ninnigobius montenegrensis, Knipowitschia montenegrina, Barbatula zetensis, Rutilus albus, Gobio skadarensis, Salmo zetensis, Alosa sp., and Chondrostoma scodrense – extinct (EW). The most diverse family is Cyprinidae with 24 (of which 16 are native = 36.3%) species, followed by Mugillidae (5), and Gobiidae (4).
Fish in this watershed have significant economic potential. The following species are fished and can be fished for the commercial purposes (economic fishery): Bleak (Alburnus scoranza), Carp (Cyprinus carpio), Skadar Rudd (Scardinius knezevici), Skadar Chub (Squalius platyceps), Goldfish (Carassius auratus), Ohrid Nase (Chondrostoma ohridanum), Eel (Anguilla anguilla), Spotted Roach (Pachychilon pictum), Yellow Roach (Rutilus prespensis), White Roach (R. albus), Mugilidae, species of the genus Alosa, Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), European Perch (Perca fluviatilis), and Flounder (Pleuronectes flesus) as well as scrap fish – others. In the past, as much as 1,500–2,000 tons used to be fished each year, whereas less than 1/3 of that catch has been landed recently. Presently, there are no precise records on catch, but some species like Alosa sp., Trout and Nase have no commercial potential any longer. For several decades now, there have been no species from the genus Acipenser in this Lake. The catch of all the economically significant species has dropped, and that of the less significant ones has increased.
The largest number have the LC (30.5%) status, but one third of the species are in a certain category of threat (33.3%), and those are mainly those species endemic to the Adriatic watershed. Three species (5.1%) are classified as critically endangered (CR – 5.1%), and three are endangered species (EN – 5.1%), while four are vulnerable or sensitive (VU – 6.8%). The species Salmo farioides has also been listed in the VU group since it is a subject of sports fishing and it suffers immense fishing pressure. The data necessary for the assessment of threat status are deficient for nine species (DD – 15.2%), whereas the status of a near threatened species (NT) has been established for only two species (3.4%).
Drago Marić
Diversity and Conservation Status of Batrachofauna and Herpetofauna in the Lake Skadar Region
Abstract
The basin of Lake Skadar with its drainage area represents one of the Balkan Peninsula’s hotspots regarding amphibian and reptile fauna. The value of the batracho- and herpetofauna of the Lake Skadar region is reflected in a rich and diverse composition of species. This is undoubtedly the result of the basin’s specific geographic position and complex geological history. Recent studies revealed that Lake Skadar’s watershed is inhabited by 15 amphibian and 36 reptile species. Among these, one amphibian (Pelophylax shqipericus – EN) and two reptile species (Dinarolacerta mosorensis and Vipera ursinii, both VU) are considered to be globally threatened according to IUCN criteria. An additional three reptile species (Emys orbicularis, Testudo hermanni, and Elaphe quatuorlineata) could become threatened in the future. As an attractive tourist area, a significant part of the Lake Skadar region could be impacted by fast and intense anthropogenic changes. Therefore, preserving the network of suitable habitats, maintaining continuous monitoring, and investing in additional research are essential for maintaining this rich local amphibian and reptile diversity.
Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailović, Lidija Polović, Katarina Ljubisavljević, Natalija Čađenović, Tijana Čubrić, Idriz Haxhiu
Ornithological Features of Skadar Lake
Abstract
This paper presents the variety of habitats on Skadar Lake, one of the best known ornithological sites in the Mediterranean. It is characterised by marshy areas and their zonal distribution. Colonies of swamp birds, their distribution on the lake as well as their dynamics have been described. The problems regarding pollution, disturbance and poaching have also been tackled.
The list of fauna of Skadar Lake, observed within the borders of the National Park, amounts to 260 species. Their essential ecological properties, status of protection and current status in scope of the National Park have been given.
Ondrej Vizi
Integrated Lake Basin Management for Lake Skadar/Shkodra
Abstract
The natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Skadar/Shkodra basin require the implementation of an efficient management system at the level of the whole lake for the purpose of its continuous protection and the valorization of this unique ecosystem. In this study, we have suggested that there is no difference between the Lake Shkoder Basin Management Strategy (LSBMS) and the Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) which is widely accepted today as a guideline for the achieving of the sustainable management of lake basins. In this chapter, we have reviewed the relevant national and international documents about Lake Skadar such as the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for Lake Skadar/Shkodra to analyze the current management plans of the lake and basin according to the six governance pillars of ILBM (institutions, policies, participation, technology, information, and finance).
Aleksandar Vujović, Zdravko Krivokapić, Miladin Stefanović, Vladimir Pešić, Jelena Jovanović
Cultural-Historic Heritage of the Lake Skadar Basin
Abstract
The Lake Skadar basin harbours a rich cultural and historical heritage of different epochs and forms. Traces of the first human communities appeared way back in the Palaeolithic period, while archaeological founds from a cave on the Lake Skadar coast imply on the first traces of spiritual life from the Neolithic period. The monumental heritage of the Middle Ages is the most preserved, architectonically the most important and stylistically the most authentic. Under the influence of different political and social circumstances, the area of the Lake Skadar becomes the place of interference of stylistic and architectonical headings. Profane building characterizes construction of different fortification objects and a smaller urban settlements. Wider area of the Lake Skadar presents one of the most significant regions in civilizational developments of Montenegro, and it will be the area in which appeared the first forms of spirituality, literacy and cultural development. In seven subchapters of this text, we will explain historical context in which those processes were developed and look back to cultural contents, profane and sacral buildings of civilizations, that formed wealth and diversity of cultural layers of the Lake Skadar.
Adnan Prekić
Conclusions: Recent Advances and the Future Prospects of the Lake Skadar/Shkodra Environment
Abstract
The 23 chapters in this book synthesize the information on the Lake Skadar/Shkodra environment. This book has shown that several significant steps have been made over the past four decades in improving the gaps in our knowledge of the Lake Skadar/Shkodra ecosystem. This last chapter identifies seven themes related to the ecology and management of Lake Skadar/Shkodra. These themes emphasize the current knowledge gaps, recent advances, and future prospects of the Lake Skadar/Shkodra ecosystem providing some ideas as to how to incorporate scientific research into the current management of the lake basin. The key to a better understanding of the Lake Skadar/Shkodra environment remains transboundary cooperation. This is particularly important given the global challenges that Lake Skadar/Shkodra can be expected to face as climatic change and increasing demands for water increasingly impact the lake ecosystem.
Vladimir Pešić, Gordan S. Karaman, Andrey G. Kostianoy, Vesna Vukašinović-Pešić
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
The Skadar/Shkodra Lake Environment
Editors
Vladimir Pešić
Prof. Dr. Gordan Karaman
Andrey G. Kostianoy
Copyright Year
2018
Electronic ISBN
978-3-319-99250-1
Print ISBN
978-3-319-99249-5
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99250-1