Protecting Kune-Vaini Lagoon Scaling up ecosystem-based adaptation in Albania’s oasis for migratory birds

The Kune-Vaini Lagoon System (KVLS) in northern Albania, a biodiversity hotspot for approximately 200 bird species, faced severe threats from climate-induced flooding and sea-level rise. Between 1997 and 2017, floods caused USD 218 million in damage across Albania, with a third of coastal areas expected to face regular flooding by 2030. In response, the Albanian government, through its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) launched in 2015, implemented a pilot EbA project from 2016 to 2020 funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNEP. The project employed three primary strategies: rehabilitating 2,000 metres of coastal dunes using over 65,000 seedlings of marram grass and marina; planting over 14,500 climate-resilient tree seedlings to create a "green belt" buffer; and using a sand dredger to reopen the tidal channel inlet to restore seawater circulation. These interventions have led to increased populations of sea bass, eels, pelicans, and flamingos, while improving flood resilience and water quality. The project also addressed capacity gaps in national and local government regarding EbA concepts. Based on these results, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment intends to replicate these approaches in the Narta and Karavasta lagoons in southern Albania.

• Climate change has caused frequent and intense flooding in Albania, resulting in USD 218 million in damages between 1997 and 2017, with projections that one-third of coastal areas will experience regular flooding by 2030.
• The Kune-Vaini Lagoon System (KVLS) is a 40-square-kilometre biodiversity hotspot and ecological corridor for approximately 200 bird species, but it has been stressed by climate shocks, population growth, poverty, and over-exploitation.
• The EbA pilot project (2016–2020) implemented three main technical interventions: planting over 65,000 seedlings of native marram grass and marina to rehabilitate 2,000 metres of coastal dunes, planting over 14,500 climate-resilient tree seedlings for flood buffering, and dredging the tidal channel inlet to restore seawater flow.
• Restoring the tidal channel has improved water quality and salinity regulation, leading to a visible increase in fish stocks (such as sea bass and eels) and bird populations, including pelicans and flamingos.
• The project overcame initial community skepticism and gender imbalances in consultation, while simultaneously building the capacity of national and local government institutions that previously lacked knowledge of ecosystem-based adaptation.
• Following the success of the KVLS pilot, the Albanian Ministry of Tourism and Environment is working to replicate these EbA interventions in the Narta and Karavasta lagoons in southern Albania.

APA

Arrais, C. H. (2023). Protecting Kune-Vaini Lagoon Scaling up ecosystem-based adaptation in Albania’s oasis for migratory birds. NAP Global Network. https://napglobalnetwork.org/stories/kune-vaini-lagoon-scaling-up-ecosystem-based-adaptation-in-albania/

Chicago

Arrais, Cesar Henrique. Protecting Kune-Vaini Lagoon Scaling up ecosystem-based adaptation in Albania’s oasis for migratory birds. NAP Global Network, 2023. https://napglobalnetwork.org/stories/kune-vaini-lagoon-scaling-up-ecosystem-based-adaptation-in-albania/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Arrais |first1=Cesar Henrique |title=Protecting Kune-Vaini Lagoon Scaling up ecosystem-based adaptation in Albania’s oasis for migratory birds |publisher=NAP Global Network |date=19 June 2023 |url=https://napglobalnetwork.org/stories/kune-vaini-lagoon-scaling-up-ecosystem-based-adaptation-in-albania/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{arrais2023protecting, author = {Arrais, Cesar Henrique}, title = {{Protecting Kune-Vaini Lagoon Scaling up ecosystem-based adaptation in Albania’s oasis for migratory birds}}, institution = {NAP Global Network}, year = {2023}, month = jun, url = {https://napglobalnetwork.org/stories/kune-vaini-lagoon-scaling-up-ecosystem-based-adaptation-in-albania/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }