Experts' alarm: The Adriatic Sea is advancing rapidly on the Albanian coast

In Albania, climate change and environmental interventions are associated with increased erosion of the coastline. The areas most at risk from coastal erosion are Kune-Vaini in Lezha and the Buna River estuary in Shkodër.

The rapid changes observed in recent years on Albania's coastline testify to the profound impact of climate change, irregular urban developments, but also the consequences of environmental interventions. According to environmental experts, 1/3 of Albania's coastline, more than 400 km, is at risk of erosion.

The Adriatic Sea is steadily encroaching on beaches and forests, impacting natural ecosystems and the economic activity of local communities on the coast.

"Coastal erosion is not really a new phenomenon. It is really problematic on the Adriatic coast, starting from the Buna River delta and continuing to the Kune Vaini area and many other coastal segments. It causes great damage to coastal ecosystems, but also to many other aspects related to nature," says Professor Ervis Krymi, University of Shkodra.

A study by the environmental organization "Eco Albania" highlights the fact that erosion on the Adriatic coast is mostly present in large sectors of the Seman estuary, at the southern end of the Bay of Durrës (Karpen), south of the Bay of Lalzi, the estuary of the Mat River, in Tale, Kune-Vain of Lezha, as well as some areas in Velipojë.

Kune Vaini is the area most affected by coastal erosion in Albania. Here, local residents and businesses have set up sandbag embankments in an attempt to stem further sea inundation into the territory.

Environmental expert Jak Gjini, who continuously monitors the progress of erosion on the Shëngjin coastline, says that in the Kune Vaini area, erosion takes 2-3 meters off the sandy shore every year.

"In particular, in the current period, the area is quite exposed to the effects of climate change and the speed with which these impacts are occurring. In particular, coastal erosion is such that it is even exceeding the predictions of the scenarios for the area. Suffice it to remember that, only in the northern part of the Drin River estuary, the sea advances up to 20 meters per year and the entire area is hit by sea storms twice a year, becoming quite frequent and present for the area," he says.

Occasional sea storms along the coast of Shëngjin, which occur from October to March of the following year, are associated with erosion of the seashore and damage to the pine forest belt.

"As a result, the natural balances of the coastline's supply of solid sediments have been disrupted, bringing about strong geomorphological changes, which have affected not only the natural values ​​of the area, but also the socio-economic activity of this area such as agriculture, fishing, tourism, activities that are very important for the area," he says.

In addition to the Kune Vain coastline, erosion is also occurring quite aggressively at the mouth of the Buna River. Comparison of satellite images from 2012 to January of this year, testify to profound changes in the Buna River delta and the gradual disappearance of the small Franz Josef Island.

"It is very important that these coastal ecosystems are well managed, that measures are taken to protect them, and that more and more care is taken to prevent interference with river beds and the extraction of inert materials. Interventions can damage the numerous sediments along the coastline. It is also important to plant more trees, as this would help prevent negative erosion phenomena from hitting us along the coastline."

If urgent measures are not taken to curb the further advance of the sea inland along the Adriatic coastline, according to environmental experts, the consequences of erosion will have a direct and long-term impact on the natural environment, the economy and the lives of around 430 residents living along the coastline, but also on the further development of the tourism sector, as one of the main sources of the country's economy. /VOA