Divjakë-Karavasta National Park (Albanian: Parku Kombëtar Divjakë-Karavasta) is a national park in western Albania, covering the Myzeqe Plain near the Adriatic Sea. The park covers an area of 222.3 square kilometers (22,230 hectares) and includes important features such as wetlands, salt marshes, coastal meadows, floodplains, woodlands, reed beds, forests, and estuaries. Because of its high number of bird and plant species, the park has been recognized as an important Bird and Plant Area of international significance.
The lagoon of Karavasta, one of the largest in the Mediterranean Sea, is a wetland of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention. It is separated from the Adriatic Sea by a wide strip of sand and was formed by sediments carried by the Shkumbin and Seman rivers. Located near the sea, the park has a Mediterranean climate, with temperatures ranging from 12°C (54°F) in February to 24°C (75°F) in August.
This climate supports a wide variety of plant and animal life. The park is located entirely within the Illyrian deciduous forests ecoregion of the Palearctic Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome. Scientists have recorded 228 bird species, 25 mammal species, 29 reptile species, and 29 amphibian species in the area.
The wetlands and swamps are rich in algae and dense grasses. Forests and woodlands include a mix of deciduous, coniferous, and mixed trees, found in lower river valleys and along the coastline. These forests provide shelter for many animals, such as red foxes, golden jackals, and roe deer.
The park is an important habitat for fish species that are valuable to local fisheries. It also supports the local economy and attracts tourists due to its natural beauty and diverse wildlife.
A new resort complex has been proposed inside the park by Mabetex, a company owned by Behgjet Pacolli, a Kosovo-Albanian businessman. This project has been strongly opposed by environmentalists and local authorities.
Geography
The Divjakë-Karavasta National Park is located along the southeastern shore of the Adriatic Sea. The park is mostly found between latitudes 40° and 55° N and longitudes 19° and 29° E. It covers an area of 222.30 km (85.83 sq mi) in Fier County, which is in southwestern Albania. The park includes a large part of the Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast. The town of Divjakë, which is near the park, is located to the east of the park entrance. The park’s coastline is about 35 kilometers long and is mostly flat, stretching from the mouth of the Shkumbin River to the mouth of the Seman River.
The park’s purpose is to protect the Godulla and Karavasta lagoons, as well as the estuaries of the Shkumbin River in the north and the Seman River in the south. The water areas in the park are mainly shaped by the rivers, which carry sand, silt, and shells. These materials form many small islands and narrow landforms along the coast. Because of these deposits, the lagoon floor is smooth and flat. The lagoon has low salt levels and high amounts of living organisms, which influence the lagoon’s color.
The Shkumbin River begins in the eastern part of the Valamara Mountains in Korçë County. At Gryka e Shkumbinit, the river exits a narrow valley, crosses the Skanderbeg Mountains, and flows into the coastal region. It then enters the northern part of the park and flows into the Adriatic Sea. The Seman River starts where the Osum River and Devoll River meet in Korçë County. Its estuary, located in the southern part of the park, is swampy and includes many water basins and ponds.
Biodiversity
The Divjakë-Karavasta National Park is part of the Illyrian province in the Circumboreal Region of the Boreal Kingdom. It lies entirely within the Illyrian deciduous forests ecoregion of the Palearctic Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome. The park’s varied geology, water systems, and climate create a wide range of species and habitats, many of which are important for national conservation.
Coastal and sand dunes are mainly found along the sea’s shoreline, estuaries, and lagoons. These areas support unique plant life and populations of small animals and insects. The dunes have a thin layer of salt-tolerant grasses that help stabilize them. As the dunes become more stable, the density of grass increases.
The park’s forests include both conifer and deciduous trees and woodlands. A large portion of the forest is located in the northern part of Karavasta, between sandy beaches and the Shkumbin River estuary. Pine trees, such as Aleppo and stone pine, are increasingly common in the park. Other tree species found in the park include juniper, willow, oak, alder, elm, and ash.
The park’s location and mix of habitats, combined with its abundant water supply and terrain, support a wide variety of wildlife. The area is home to 228 bird species, 25 mammal species, 29 reptile species, and 29 amphibian species.
The park is a top destination for birdwatching, with over 228 species of resident and migratory birds, including 15 globally endangered species. The wetlands and coastal areas provide resting spots for birds migrating between Europe and Africa through the Adriatic flyway.
The park is home to 5% of the world’s population of the globally endangered Dalmatian pelican, which breeds exclusively in the Karavasta lagoon—the only coastal breeding site for this species along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
The park’s diverse ecosystems support 25 mammal species in its forests and shrubs. These animals are often hard to see because they hide or run away when humans are nearby. Areas where meadows meet forests are favored by many species because they offer open spaces for foraging and cover for protection. The forests also provide shelter for the rare golden jackal and the globally endangered red fox, which is the most widespread fox species in the world. Swamps and woodlands also host endangered species, such as the nearly extinct roe deer and otter.