Evaluating The Ecological Value of the Fushë Kuqe - Patok Lagoon Complex

Year 2025, Volume: 20 Issue: 3, 170 - 182, 29.11.2025

Adri Erebara , Albert Kopali , Sonila Sulaj , Majlinda Sünter

Abstract

Although wetlands occupy less than 9% of the Earth's surface, they contribute up to 40% of global annual ecosystem services. Wetlands, despite being among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, face persistent pressures and threats, and remain inadequately researched. Our study will focus on a Managed Nature Reserve, part of which is the Patok - Fushe Kuqe Lagoon. From an ecological point of view we have analysed the physical, chemical, nutritional and organic pollutant parameters relating to the lagoon waters. İn particular, we measured the pH, DO, TSS, NH43-, NO2, NO3, PO43-, total phosphor, COD and BOD5. These parameters are within normal values, with the exception of BOD and COD, which are approximately 10 and 3 times higher than their respective concentration threshold limits, resulting in poor status of the lagoon’s water quality. High concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen can lead to eutrophication, resulting in rapid growth of algae and phytoplankton, which decreases oxygen in surface waters and damages aquatic communities. This research aims to highlight the importance of sustainable management of the coastal lagoon, in order to preserve the ecosystem services it provides and to promote actions that improve wetland resilience.

Keywords

coastal wetlands , ecological assessment , eutrophication , Patok - Fushe Kuqe Lagoon.

Ethical Statement

This research was based on field observations, environmental sampling, and laboratory analyses conducted within the Fushë Kuqe–Patok Lagoon Complex. No human participants or experimental animals were involved, and no protected species were harmed. All procedures complied with relevant national legislation and institutional guidelines for environmental research.

Supporting Institution

Agricultural University of Tirana

Thanks

We gratefully acknowledge our colleagues from the Agro-Environment and Ecology Laboratory at the Agricultural University of Tirana for their valuable assistance and support with laboratory analyses.

References

• Abazi U, Balliu A, (2012) Evaluation of irrigation water quality across major water resources in Albania during a five-year monitoring process. Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, 10 (2), 919-924. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259461150 .
• Abazi U, Bardhi N, Skura E, Rahmeta A, Kopali A, Shumeli A, (2012) Surface water quality in Albania during the 2006–2010 period. Journal of Balkan Ecology, 15, 85–93. https://plus.cobiss.net/cobiss/al/sq/bib/342586112
• Abazi U, Shumeli A, Kopali A, Jorgji S, Laska A, Laze P, (2013) Contents of heavy metals in surface water and sediments in Mati and Gjanica Rivers, Albania. Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, 11(3–4), 2227–2231. https://www.wflpublisher.com/Abstract/5022 https://doi.org/10.1234/4.2013.5022.
• Abowei JFN, (2010) Salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and surface water temperature conditions in Nkoro River, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Advances in Journal of Food Science and Technology, 2, 16-21.
• American Public Health Association (APHA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), Water Environment Federation (WEF), (2017) Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅): 5-day BOD test (Standard Methods Method 5210 B). In: Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 23rd edition, pp. 5-1–5-8. American Public Health Association, Washington DC.
• Camargo J, Alonso A, (2006) Ecological and toxicological effects of inorganic nitrogen pollution in aquatic ecosystems: A global assessment. Environment International, 32, 831-849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2006.05.002
• Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania, (2010) Decision No. 995 on the declaration of the “Managed Natural Reserve” of the natural wetland ecosystem of Patok - Fushekuqe - Ishem. Official Gazette of the Republic of Albania, 3 November 2010.
• Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania, (2022) Decision No. 60 on the declaration of natural ecosystems Managed Nature Reserves/Nature Parks (Category IV), as well as the approval of the change of the status of existing environmentally protected areas, belonging to this category. Official Gazette of the Republic of Albania, 26 January 2022.
• Davidson NC, (2014) How much wetland has the world lost? Long-term and recent trends in global wetland area. Marine and Freshwater Research, 65, 934-941. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF14173
• Dhora D, Beqiraj S, (2001) Laguna e Patokut [Lagoon of Patok]. ShMGJUSH, UNDP, GEF/SGP, Tirana.
• Dudley N, Baker C, Chatterton P, Ferwerda WH, Gutierrez V, Madgwick J, (2021) The 4 returns framework for landscape restoration. UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Report. Commonland, Wetlands International Landscape Finance Lab, and IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management.
• European Commission, (2007) LIFE and Europe’s wetlands: Restoring a vital ecosystem. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/ publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/nat.htm#wetlands
• European Committee for Standardization, (1993) S SH EN 26777:1993: Water quality—Determination of nitrite—Molecular absorption spectrometric method (ISO 6777:1984). European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels. European Parliament, Council of the European Union, (2000) Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. Official Journal of the European Communities, L 327, 1-73. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32000L0060 Esteves FA, Caliman A, Santangelo JM, Guariento RD, Farjalla VF, Bozelli RL, (2008) Neotropical coastal lagoons: An appraisal of their biodiversity, functioning, threats, and conservation management. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 68 (Suppl. 4), 967-981. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1519-69842008000500006
• Finlayson CM, Davidson NC, Spiers AG, Stevenson NJ, (1999) Global wetland inventory—Current status and future priorities. Marine and Freshwater Research, 50, 717-727. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF99098
• Gardner RC, Barchiesi S, Beltrame C, Finlayson M, (2015) State of the world’s wetlands and their services to people: A compilation of recent analyses (Ramsar Briefing Note No. 7). Ramsar Convention Secretariat. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2589447
• International Organization for Standardization, (1984) ISO 7150-1:1984: Water quality—Determination of ammonium—Part 1: Manual spectrometric method. International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Geneva. International Organization for Standardization, (2000) ISO 7890-1:1986: Water quality—Determination of nitrate—Part 1: Spectrophotometric method with 2,6-dimethylphenol. International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Geneva.
• International Organization for Standardization, (2002) ISO 15705:2002: Water quality—Determination of the chemical oxygen demand index (ST-COD). International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Geneva. International Organization for Standardization, (2004) ISO 6878:2004: Water quality—Determination of phosphorus-Ammonium molybdate spectrometric method. International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Geneva.
• Matthews E, Fung I, (1987) Methane emissions from natural wetlands: Global distribution, area, and environmental characteristics of sources. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 1, 61-86. https://doi.org/10.1029/GB001i001p00061
• Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, (2005) Ecosystems and human well-being: Current states and trends. Island Press, Washington DC. http://www.maweb.org/es/index.aspx
• Newman G, Shi T, Yao Z, Li D, Sansom G, Kirsch K, et al., (2020) Citizen science-informed community master planning: Land use and built environment changes to increase flood resilience and decrease contaminant exposure. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, 486. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17020486
• Osmond DL, Line DE, Gale JA, Gannon RW, Knott CB, Bartenhagen KA, Turner MH, Coffey SW, Spooner J, Wells J, Walker JC, Hargrove LL, Foster MA, Robillard PD, Lehning DW, (1995) Turbidity. In: WATERSHEDSS: Water, Soil and Hydro-Environmental Decision Support System. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/ceam/watershedss
• Ten Brink P, Badura T, Bassi S, Daly E, Dickie I, Ding H, Gantioler S, et al., (2011) Estimating the overall economic value of the benefits provided by the Natura 2000 network (Final Report to the European Commission, DG Environment, Contract ENV.B.2/SER/2008/0038). IEEP, GHK, Ecologic, Brussels. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/financing/docs/ Economic_Benefits_of_Natura_2000_report.pdf
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (1978) Method 365.3: Phosphorus, all forms (Colorimetric, ascorbic acid, two-reagent). In: Methods for chemical analysis of water and wastes (Approved under the Clean Water Act). U.S. EPA, Washington DC.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (1999) Water quality criteria and standards: Protocol for developing nutrient TMDLs (EPA 841-B-99-007). U.S. EPA, Washington DC.
• van Asselen S, Verburg PH, Vermaat JE, Janse JH, (2013) Drivers of wetland conversion: A global meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 8, e81292. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0081292
• Wittmann F, Householder E, Wittmann A, Lopes A, Junk WJ, Piedade MTF, (2015) Implementation of the Ramsar Convention on South American wetlands: An update. Research and Reports in Biodiversity Studies, 4, 47-58.
• Zedler JB, Kercher S, (2005) Wetland resources: Status, trends, ecosystem services, and restorability. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 30, 39-74. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.30.050504.144248