Lake Prespa is one of the oldest and most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems in Europe. But it is facing a serious crisis due to climate change, overexploitation, and pollution.
Climate Change Reduces Water Levels and Snowfall
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Lake Prespa is located in a valley that borders Albania, Greece, and North Macedonia. It is estimated to be between one and five million years old and hosts thousands of species of fish, birds, mammals, and plants, as per Phys.org.
However, in recent decades, the lake has been shrinking at an alarming rate. According to NASA, the lake lost seven percent of its surface area and half of its volume between 1984 and 2020.
One of the main reasons for this decline is climate change. The warming temperatures have reduced the annual snowfall in the area, which is a vital source of water for the lake. The lack of snow also affects the nearby streams that feed into Prespa.
Moreover, climate change has increased evaporation and decreased precipitation, leading to a drop in water levels. In some places, the lake has receded by up to three kilometers (nearly two miles).
"The changes noted in the lake's levels are connected to climate change," said Spase Shumka, a professor at the Agricultural University of Tirana in Albania.
Another factor that threatens Lake Prespa is the intensive agriculture that surrounds it. The lake is a major source of irrigation for the apple farms that dominate the landscape.
However, the farmers are pumping more water than the lake can replenish, causing further depletion. According to a study by the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP), the farmers use about 40 percent of the water that enters the lake every year.
Agriculture also contributes to pollution, as fertilizers and pesticides run off into the lake. This causes eutrophication, a process where excess nutrients stimulate algae growth and deplete oxygen in the water. This can create dead zones where no life can survive.
"The lake has been polluted intensively for decades," said Zlatko Levkov, a biologist at the University of Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, North Macedonia.
The Need for Joint Action and Conservation
Lake Prespa is not only important for its ecological value but also for its cultural and economic significance. The lake supports local communities that depend on fishing, tourism, and agriculture. It also has a rich history and heritage, as it was once part of ancient kingdoms and empires.
To save Lake Prespa from further deterioration, experts and activists call for joint action among the three countries that share it.
They urge for better management of water resources, stricter environmental regulations, and more public awareness.
Some initiatives have already been taken to protect the lake, such as the establishment of transboundary protected areas, the restoration of wetlands, and the promotion of sustainable practices.
However, more efforts are needed to ensure the long-term survival of this ancient Balkan lake and its unique biodiversity, as per IBT.
The majority of experts feel that more must be done to safeguard the lake's future, including improved enforcement of a number of agreements that North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece signed in 2012.
To raise awareness, activists have urged for a switch to organic farming and investments in sustainable tourism.
