Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 14(2), pp. 173 - 184
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2026.140208
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Environmental Change and Ecosystem Services in the Albanian Sector of Small Prespa Lake: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development

Ermira Jashiku ^1,*, Ermiona Braholli ¹, Edlira Menkshi ¹, Romeo Eftimi ^2
1 Department of History and Geography, Faculty of Education and Philology, University of Fan S. Noli, Albania
² Independent Researcher, Albania

ABSTRACT

The Small Prespa Lake basin, located in southeastern Albania, is a distinctive transboundary landscape of significant ecological, geological, and cultural value. This study aims to deliver a comprehensive assessment of ecosystem services in the Albanian portion of the lake, utilizing the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework to analyze regulating, supporting, provisioning, and cultural services. The research combines karst hydrogeology, biodiversity surveys, land-use analysis, and archaeological heritage studies to understand the dynamic interactions between natural processes and human activities over time. The findings reveal that, despite ongoing environmental challenges such as sedimentation, eutrophication, and unsustainable water management, the basin still possesses strong potential for sustainable development. Key results highlight the importance of nature-based tourism, including geotourism, ecotourism, and cultural tourism, as a practical strategy to promote conservation, bolster local economies, and revitalize rural communities. Nonetheless, challenges like population decline, inadequate infrastructure, and limited community engagement remain significant hurdles. The study concludes that interdisciplinary scientific monitoring, adaptive land and water management, and the incorporation of ecosystem services into local development plans are essential steps toward fostering resilience and long-term sustainability. An important contribution of this research is the proposal to designate the Small Prespa wetland as a "living laboratory" for environmental education, scientific innovation, and cross-border collaboration, thereby increasing its regional and international importance. Limitations include a lack of long-term ecological data and the need for more robust institutional frameworks to support implementation. Nonetheless, the practical implications are substantial, offering policymakers, local stakeholders, and international partners pathways to balance ecological integrity with socio-economic progress. Socially, the study underscores the importance of community participation and cultural heritage preservation as key pillars of sustainable management. Ultimately, this research advocates for a holistic approach that positions the Small Prespa Lake basin as a model landscape where ecological conservation and human development coexist harmoniously.

KEYWORDS
Small Prespa Lake, Albania, Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development, Environmental Change

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Ermira Jashiku , Ermiona Braholli , Edlira Menkshi , Romeo Eftimi , "Environmental Change and Ecosystem Services in the Albanian Sector of Small Prespa Lake: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 173 - 184, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2026.140208.

(b). APA Format:
Ermira Jashiku , Ermiona Braholli , Edlira Menkshi , Romeo Eftimi (2026). Environmental Change and Ecosystem Services in the Albanian Sector of Small Prespa Lake: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development. Environment and Ecology Research, 14(2), 173 - 184. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2026.140208.