email a friend
printable version
close| Location | Albania, Vlorë |
| Central coordinates | 19o 23.00' East 40o 35.00' North |
| IBA criteria | A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i |
| Area | 4,180 ha |
| Altitude | 0 - 5m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2000 |
Ornithological information An important site for wintering and migratory waterfowl, especially Pelecanus crispus; 19,663 waterfowl were counted in January 1996, and 81,223 individuals counted in 1997. No waterbird breeding colonies seem to occur around the lagoon (1996). It is considered as a potentially very favourable site for the globally threatened Numenius tenuirostris.
Site description Narta is one of the largest and most important coastal wetlands of Albania. The site comprises a large, shallow and brackish lake (Lake Nartes) and a number of coastal lagoons between the Vjose river delta and the city of Vlore. Large parts of the area have been converted into agricultural land or saltpans. The lake surface decreases by 30% (especially when the connection with the sea is blocked) during the summer and large mudflats are exposed which support saltmarsh. Coastal habitats include dunes, beaches and rocky shores, with Pinus pinea and Pinus halepensis. Surrounding habitats consist of olive-groves, pine plantations and scattered poplar plantations. The site includes the small Pishe Poro lagoon (former (1989) IBA AL011). Previously, the Narta lagoon IBA also included the Karaburun peninsula and Sazan island, but these are now included in site 010.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope | winter | 1997 | 22,000 individuals | good | A4i, B1i | Least Concern |
| Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula | winter | 1996 | 188-382 individuals | good | B1i | Least Concern |
| White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala | winter | 1993 | 4 individuals | good | A1 | Endangered |
| Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus | winter | 1996 | 8-28 individuals | good | A1, A4i, B1i | Vulnerable |
| Common Coot Fulica atra | winter | 1997 | 30,256 individuals | good | A4i, B1i | Least Concern |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Broadleaved deciduous woodland | 10% |
| Grassland | Humid grasslands | 20% |
| Wetlands (inland) | Rivers and streams; Standing brackish and salt water; Water fringe vegetation | - |
| Sea | Sea inlets and coastal features | 3% |
| Coastline | Lagoons; Mud flats & sand flats; Salt marshes; Sand dunes & beaches; Sea cliffs and rocky shores | 2% |
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | Arable land; Forestry plantations; Ruderal land | 5% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| agriculture | 10% |
| fisheries/aquaculture | 40% |
| forestry | 10% |
| hunting | 100% |
| military | 5% |
| tourism/recreation | 5% |
| water management | 20% |
Management considerations The main threats are water pollution from a hydrochloric acid factory located on the north-east shore, urban expansion, deforestation, overgrazing, disturbance to birds, dynamite fishing, hunting, tourism and land claim for enlarging the saltpans. A management plan will be prepared as part of a GEF Biodiversity project, coordinated by the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat.
Protection status National None International None
Contribute Please click here to help BirdLife conserve the world's birds - your data for this IBA and others are vital for helping protect the environment.
Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Narta Lagoon. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/06/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
|
|