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{{Short description|Lake in Albania and Montenegro}}
{{Infobox_lake
{{Infobox body of water
|lake_name = Lake Scutari
| name = Lake Skadar
|image_lake = Shkodra 2.jpg
| other_name = Lake Scutari, Lake Shkodër, Lake Shkodra
|caption_lake = Outflow at ]
| image = Lac de Shkodra.jpg
|image_bathymetry =
| caption = Lake Skadar and Mount Maranaj (1,576 m) in Albania
|caption_bathymetry =
| image_bathymetry =
|coords =
| caption_bathymetry =
|type =
| location = ]–] border
|inflow = ]
| coordinates = {{coord|42|10|N|19|19|E|display=inline,title}}
|outflow = ]
| type =
|catchment =
| inflow = ]
|basin_countries = Albania, Montenegro
| outflow = ]
|length =
| catchment =
|width =
| basin_countries = Albania, Montenegro
|area = ] - ]
| length = {{convert|44|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|depth =
| width = {{convert|14|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|max-depth =
| area = {{convert|370|–|530|km2|abbr=on}}
|volume =
| depth = {{convert|5.01|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|residence_time =
| max-depth = {{convert|8.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="Pešić 2013">Pešić V. & Glöer P. (2013). "A new freshwater snail genus (Hydrobiidae, Gastropoda) from Montenegro, with a discussion on gastropod diversity and endemism in Skadar Lake". '']'' '''281''': 69-90. {{doi|10.3897/zookeys.281.4409}}</ref> {{convert|44|m|ft|abbr=on}}{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}
|shore =
| volume = {{convert|1931.62|e6m3|abbr=on}}
|elevation = 6 m
| residence_time =
|islands =
| shore = {{convert|207|km|mi|abbr=on}} is total length of coastline (including islands).
|cities =
| elevation = {{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| frozen =
| islands =
| cities = <!-- Map -->
| pushpin_map = Albania#Montenegro
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of the reservoir in Albania.
| pushpin_map_caption = <!-- Below -->
| website =
| reference = <ref name="Pešić 2013"/>
| extra = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_offname = Skadarsko Jezero
| designation1_date = 13 December 1995
| designation1_number = 784<ref>{{Cite web|title=Skadarsko Jezero|website=] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/784|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>
| designation2 = Ramsar
| designation2_offname = Lake Shkodra and River Buna
| designation2_date = 2 February 2006
| designation2_number = 1598<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lake Shkodra and River Buna|website=] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1598|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}
| module = |
}} }}
{{Infobox_protected_area | name = Lake Skadar National Park
| iucn_category = II
| image = Lake Skadar.png
| caption = Lake Skadar and surrounding area
| locator_x =
| locator_y =
| location = ]
| nearest_city =
| lat_degrees = 42
| lat_minutes = 15
| lat_seconds =
| lat_direction = N
| long_degrees = 19
| long_minutes = 15
| long_seconds =
| long_direction = E
| area = 400 km² (40.000 ha)
| established = 1983
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body =
}}
'''Lake Scutari''' (]: ''Liqeni i Shkodrës'', ] and ]: Скадарско језеро, ''Skadarsko jezero'') is a ] shared by ] and ], and is also the largest lake in the ]. It is named after the city ] (''Skadar, Shkodër, İşkodra'') in northern Albania.


'''Lake Skadar''' or '''Lake Scutari''' ({{langx|sq|Liqeni i Shkodrës}}, {{IPA-sq|liˈcɛni i ˈʃkɔdrəs|pron}}; {{lang-cnr-Cyrl-Latn|Скадарско језеро|Skadarsko jezero}}, {{IPA|sh|skâdarskɔː jɛ̂zɛrɔ|pron}}){{snd}}also called '''Lake Shkodra''' (and ''Lake Shkodër''){{snd}}lies on the border of ] and ], and is the largest ] in ]. It is named after the Albanian city of ] which lies at its southeastern coast. It is a ].
Its surface lies six metres above sea level, and can vary between 370 and 530 ]s, making it the largest lake in the ]. The lake is a cryptodepression (the bottom of the lake is below sea level), filled by the ] and drained into the ] by the 41 kilometer-long ], which forms the international border on the lower half of its length.


The Montenegrin section of the lake and surrounding land have been designated as a ], while the Albanian part constitutes a ] and a ].
The Montenegrin part of the lake and its surrounding area were declared a ] in ]. It is one of the largest ] ]s in ], having 270 bird species, among which are some of the last ]s in Europe, and thus popular with ]s. The lake also contains habitats of ] and ]s and is abundant in fish, especially in ], ] and ].


== Geography ==
In ], by ], it was included in the ].
<!--The lake's surface is {{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. It can vary between {{convert|370|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and {{convert|530|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, of which 2/3 is in Montenegro.-->
Lake Skadar is the largest lake in the ] with a surface area that seasonally fluctuates between {{convert|370|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and {{convert|530|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> Lake Skadar itself is located in the western Balkan region.


The lake is located in the border area between Montenegro and Albania, the Montenegrin share of the area of the lake is larger than the Albanian one. The lake's water level also varies seasonally from {{convert|4.7|to|9.8|m}} above sea level. The lake extends northwest to southeast, and it is approximately {{convert|44|km|abbr=in}} long.<ref name="Pešić 2013" />
==External links==
* Description of Skadarsko Jezero with pictures.
*
*
* (in Serbian, with a lot of images)
*
*
*
*


The Buna River connects the lake with the Adriatic Sea, and the ] provides a link with ].<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> The lake is a ], filled by the river ] and drained into the ] by the {{convert|41|km|mi|abbr=on}} long ] ({{langx|sh|Bojana}}), which forms the ] on the lower half of its length. The largest inflow is from the Morača, which provides about 62% of the lake's water.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> Total drainage area is {{convert|5490|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/>
]
There are additionally some fresh water sources at the lake bottom. A characteristic feature of Lake Skadar's water balance is the high inflow from a number of temporary and permanent ]s, some of which are ] in cryptodepressions (known as an {{lang|sh|oko}}).<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> The southern and southwestern sides of the lake are rocky, barren and steep, having bays in which the sublacustrine springs are usually to be found.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> On the northern side there is an enormous inundated area, the boundaries of which change as water levels fluctuate.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/>

Some small islands like ], with two churches on it and ], a former fortress and prison can be found on the southwestern side of the lake.

The climate type is ] with dry summers (''Csa''), under ].<ref name="Pešić 2013"/>

The Montenegrin part of the lake and its surrounding area were declared a ] in 1983. The Albanian part has been designated as a ]. In 1996, by ], it was included in the ].<ref name="Ramsar">{{cite web|url=http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/sitelist.pdf|title=The list of wetlands of international importance|last=Ramsar|date=August 4, 2010|publisher=Ramsar|page=5|language=en, es|access-date=14 August 2010}}</ref> Near the mouth of ], {{Convert|11|m|abbr=on}} below the surface of the water there is a well-preserved wreck of the steamboat '']'' sunk by ] in 1942, during the ].<ref name="Vukotić1983">{{cite book|last=Vukotić|first=Jovan D.|title=Borbena dejstva u savlađivanju vodenih prepreka u NOR-u: 1941-1945|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UYp4AAAAIAAJ|year=1983|publisher=Vojnoizdavački zavod|page=14|quote= Батаљон Ловћенског НОП одреда »Царев Лаз« је у садејству са деловима батаљона »13. јули« 12. фебруара 1942. извршио препад на италијански пароброд »Скендербег« на Скадарском језеру...}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Lake_Shkodër.jpg|View of the lake, Albania
File:Westlicher Teil des Skutarisee.JPG|Western part of the lake near ], Montenegro
File:02 - Maja Stosic - Pavlova Strana.jpg|Horseshoe bend in the northwest corner
File:Shkodra 2.jpg|Outflow at ] in Albania
File:Grmozur 2.jpg|Fortress Grmožur in Lake Skadar, Montenegro
File:Skadar Lake, Montenegro 37.jpg|Lake Skadar, Montenegro
</gallery>

==Geology==
Lake Skadar is presumably an ], although it is a relatively young ancient lake.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/>

Most authors agree that the Lake Skadar basin is of ] origin which had been formed due to the complex ] and ] within north eastern wing of Old Montenegro ] (High Karst Zone).<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> These movements took place during the ] period. The lake basin has been formed as the result of sinking of blocks in the ] period or even in ].<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> In the ] and the ] marine conditions prevailed in the ], which was sunk at the beginning of the upper Miocene, and that the sea inundated this plain up to ] during the Pliocene.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> Radoman (1985)<ref>Radoman P. (1985). "Hydrobioidea a superfamily Prosobranchia (Gastropoda), II. Origin, Zoogeography, Evolution in the Balkans and Asia Minor". ''Monographs Institute of Zoology Belgrade'' '''1''': 1-173.</ref> pointed out that sea must have destroyed all the freshwater populations on this plane and in the Lake Skadar area.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> The connection of Lake Skadar with the sea was interrupted during the younger Pliocene.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> The question of the origin of its water is of particular interest for biologists as these waters may have provided its first species and been the basis for its present high degree of endemism.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/>

==Fauna==
The Lake Skadar system is a well-known ] of freshwater biodiversity and harbors a highly diverse mollusc fauna.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/>

Lake Skadar is one of the largest bird ]s in Europe, having 270 bird species, among which are some of the last ]s in Europe, and thus popular with ]s. The lake also contains habitats of ] and ]s. It has been recognised as an ] (IBA) by ].<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url= https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/skadar-lake-iba-montenegro |title=Skadar Lake|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2024|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 2024-08-25}}</ref><ref name=bli2>{{cite web |url= https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/2899 |title=Lake Shkodra (Lake Scadar)|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2024|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 2024-08-25}}</ref>

It is abundant in fish, especially in ], ] and ]. Of the 34 native fish species, 7 are ] to Lake Skadar.<ref>Talevski, Milošević, Marić, Petrović, Talevska and Talevska (2009). Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 23(2). ISSN 1310-2818</ref>

At the scale of Lake Skadar, about 31% of ]s (12 out of 39 species sampled in the lake) are endemic.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> At the scale of the Lake Skadar basin, 38% (19 species) of the total freshwater gastropod fauna appear to be endemic.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> There were reliably recorded 50 species of freshwater snails from the Lake Skadar basin.<!--There were reported 54 species, but 4 of them were reported incorrectly.--><ref name="Pešić 2013"/> The index of freshwater gastropod endemism is 0.478.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> With this relatively high value, Lake Skadar exceeds such famous lakes as ] and ].<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> Lake Skadar is inhabited by five species of '']'' and it is a hot spot of ''Bithynia'' evolution.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/>

There are 17 ] species for the Lake Skadar watershed, 10 of them being endemic (mainly from the subterranean habitat).<ref name="Pešić 2013"/>

The small range of many endemic species living in the Lake Skadar system together with ever increasing human pressure make its fauna particularly vulnerable.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> This becomes even more important in light of ongoing ], ] and sand and gravel exploration activities in the lake and its basin.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> Research of the ] community and chlorophyll-based trophic state indices show that the lake is on a betamesosaprobic level of ], which means moderately polluted with organic compounds.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/> Effects of human-induced environmental changes are especially evident for sublacustrine springs, with eutrophication and use for ] (e.g., sublacustrine spring Karuč) being the most serious threats.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/>

The 2011 ] includes 21 endemic species from the Lake Skadar basin.<ref name="Pešić 2013"/>

==Cultural impact==
], a radio station based in ], is named after Lake Skadar.

==See also==
{{commons category|Lake Scutari|Lake Skadar}}
{{Portal|Wetlands}}
*]
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}


{{National parks of Montenegro}} {{National parks of Montenegro}}
{{Albania-geo-stub}} {{Protected areas of Albania}}
{{Cetinje}}
{{Montenegro-geo-stub}}
{{Podgorica}}
{{Lakes in Albania}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Skadar}}
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Latest revision as of 11:09, 24 November 2024

Lake in Albania and Montenegro
Lake Skadar
Lake Scutari, Lake Shkodër, Lake Shkodra
Lake Skadar and Mount Maranaj (1,576 m) in Albania
Location of the reservoir in Albania.Location of the reservoir in Albania.Lake SkadarShow map of AlbaniaLocation of the reservoir in Albania.Location of the reservoir in Albania.Lake SkadarShow map of Montenegro
LocationAlbania–Montenegro border
Coordinates42°10′N 19°19′E / 42.167°N 19.317°E / 42.167; 19.317
Primary inflowsMorača
Primary outflowsBuna
Basin countriesAlbania, Montenegro
Max. length44 km (27 mi)
Max. width14 km (8.7 mi)
Surface area370–530 km (140–200 sq mi)
Average depth5.01 m (16.4 ft)
Max. depth8.3 m (27 ft) 44 m (144 ft)
Water volume1,931.62×10^ m (68.215×10^ cu ft)
Shore length207 km (129 mi) is total length of coastline (including islands).
Surface elevation6 m (20 ft)
References
Ramsar Wetland
Official nameSkadarsko Jezero
Designated13 December 1995
Reference no.784
Ramsar Wetland
Official nameLake Shkodra and River Buna
Designated2 February 2006
Reference no.1598
Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Skadar or Lake Scutari (Albanian: Liqeni i Shkodrës, pronounced [liˈcɛni i ˈʃkɔdrəs]; Montenegrin: Скадарско језеро, Skadarsko jezero, pronounced [skâdarskɔː jɛ̂zɛrɔ]) – also called Lake Shkodra (and Lake Shkodër) – lies on the border of Albania and Montenegro, and is the largest lake in Southern Europe. It is named after the Albanian city of Shkodër which lies at its southeastern coast. It is a karst lake.

The Montenegrin section of the lake and surrounding land have been designated as a national park, while the Albanian part constitutes a nature reserve and a Ramsar site.

Geography

Lake Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula with a surface area that seasonally fluctuates between 370 km (140 sq mi) and 530 km (200 sq mi). Lake Skadar itself is located in the western Balkan region.

The lake is located in the border area between Montenegro and Albania, the Montenegrin share of the area of the lake is larger than the Albanian one. The lake's water level also varies seasonally from 4.7 to 9.8 metres (15 to 32 ft) above sea level. The lake extends northwest to southeast, and it is approximately 44 km (27 miles) long.

The Buna River connects the lake with the Adriatic Sea, and the Drin River provides a link with Lake Ohrid. The lake is a cryptodepression, filled by the river Morača and drained into the Adriatic by the 41 km (25 mi) long Buna (Serbo-Croatian: Bojana), which forms the international border on the lower half of its length. The largest inflow is from the Morača, which provides about 62% of the lake's water. Total drainage area is 5,490 km (2,120 sq mi).

Satellite image of the lake in 2020
Courtesy: NASA's Earth Observatory

There are additionally some fresh water sources at the lake bottom. A characteristic feature of Lake Skadar's water balance is the high inflow from a number of temporary and permanent karst springs, some of which are sublacustrine in cryptodepressions (known as an oko). The southern and southwestern sides of the lake are rocky, barren and steep, having bays in which the sublacustrine springs are usually to be found. On the northern side there is an enormous inundated area, the boundaries of which change as water levels fluctuate.

Some small islands like Beška, with two churches on it and Grmožur, a former fortress and prison can be found on the southwestern side of the lake.

The climate type is hot-summer Mediterranean climate with dry summers (Csa), under Köppen climate classification.

The Montenegrin part of the lake and its surrounding area were declared a national park in 1983. The Albanian part has been designated as a Managed Nature Reserve. In 1996, by Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, it was included in the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance. Near the mouth of Rijeka Crnojevića, 11 m (36 ft) below the surface of the water there is a well-preserved wreck of the steamboat Skanderbeg sunk by partisans in 1942, during the Second World War.

  • View of the lake, Albania View of the lake, Albania
  • Western part of the lake near Rijeka Crnojevića, Montenegro Western part of the lake near Rijeka Crnojevića, Montenegro
  • Horseshoe bend in the northwest corner Horseshoe bend in the northwest corner
  • Outflow at Shkodër in Albania Outflow at Shkodër in Albania
  • Fortress Grmožur in Lake Skadar, Montenegro Fortress Grmožur in Lake Skadar, Montenegro
  • Lake Skadar, Montenegro Lake Skadar, Montenegro

Geology

Lake Skadar is presumably an ancient lake, although it is a relatively young ancient lake.

Most authors agree that the Lake Skadar basin is of tectonic origin which had been formed due to the complex folding and faulting within north eastern wing of Old Montenegro anticlinorium (High Karst Zone). These movements took place during the Cenozoic period. The lake basin has been formed as the result of sinking of blocks in the Neogene period or even in Paleogene. In the Miocene and the Pliocene marine conditions prevailed in the Zeta Plain, which was sunk at the beginning of the upper Miocene, and that the sea inundated this plain up to Podgorica during the Pliocene. Radoman (1985) pointed out that sea must have destroyed all the freshwater populations on this plane and in the Lake Skadar area. The connection of Lake Skadar with the sea was interrupted during the younger Pliocene. The question of the origin of its water is of particular interest for biologists as these waters may have provided its first species and been the basis for its present high degree of endemism.

Fauna

The Lake Skadar system is a well-known hotspot of freshwater biodiversity and harbors a highly diverse mollusc fauna.

Lake Skadar is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, having 270 bird species, among which are some of the last pelicans in Europe, and thus popular with birders. The lake also contains habitats of seagulls and herons. It has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.

It is abundant in fish, especially in carp, bleak and eel. Of the 34 native fish species, 7 are endemic to Lake Skadar.

At the scale of Lake Skadar, about 31% of freshwater snails (12 out of 39 species sampled in the lake) are endemic. At the scale of the Lake Skadar basin, 38% (19 species) of the total freshwater gastropod fauna appear to be endemic. There were reliably recorded 50 species of freshwater snails from the Lake Skadar basin. The index of freshwater gastropod endemism is 0.478. With this relatively high value, Lake Skadar exceeds such famous lakes as Lake Malawi and Lake Titicaca. Lake Skadar is inhabited by five species of Bithynia and it is a hot spot of Bithynia evolution.

There are 17 amphipod species for the Lake Skadar watershed, 10 of them being endemic (mainly from the subterranean habitat).

The small range of many endemic species living in the Lake Skadar system together with ever increasing human pressure make its fauna particularly vulnerable. This becomes even more important in light of ongoing eutrophication, water pollution and sand and gravel exploration activities in the lake and its basin. Research of the phytoplankton community and chlorophyll-based trophic state indices show that the lake is on a betamesosaprobic level of saprobity, which means moderately polluted with organic compounds. Effects of human-induced environmental changes are especially evident for sublacustrine springs, with eutrophication and use for water supply (e.g., sublacustrine spring Karuč) being the most serious threats.

The 2011 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species includes 21 endemic species from the Lake Skadar basin.

Cultural impact

Radio Skadar, a radio station based in Podgorica, is named after Lake Skadar.

See also

References

  1. ^ Pešić V. & Glöer P. (2013). "A new freshwater snail genus (Hydrobiidae, Gastropoda) from Montenegro, with a discussion on gastropod diversity and endemism in Skadar Lake". ZooKeys 281: 69-90. doi:10.3897/zookeys.281.4409
  2. "Skadarsko Jezero". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  3. "Lake Shkodra and River Buna". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  4. Ramsar (August 4, 2010). "The list of wetlands of international importance" (PDF) (in English and Spanish). Ramsar. p. 5. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
  5. Vukotić, Jovan D. (1983). Borbena dejstva u savlađivanju vodenih prepreka u NOR-u: 1941-1945. Vojnoizdavački zavod. p. 14. Батаљон Ловћенског НОП одреда »Царев Лаз« је у садејству са деловима батаљона »13. јули« 12. фебруара 1942. извршио препад на италијански пароброд »Скендербег« на Скадарском језеру...
  6. Radoman P. (1985). "Hydrobioidea a superfamily Prosobranchia (Gastropoda), II. Origin, Zoogeography, Evolution in the Balkans and Asia Minor". Monographs Institute of Zoology Belgrade 1: 1-173.
  7. "Skadar Lake". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  8. "Lake Shkodra (Lake Scadar)". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  9. Talevski, Milošević, Marić, Petrović, Talevska and Talevska (2009). Biodiversity of Ichthyofauna from Lake Prespa, Lake Ohrid and Lake Skadar. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 23(2). ISSN 1310-2818
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