Reintroduction of traditional land use practices in the wet meadows of Skadar Lake

Where?

The project is implemented in Skadar Lake National Park, in the municipality of Golubovci (part of the Capital City of Podgorica), covering selected wet meadow plots in Plavnica and Virpazar (part of the municipality of Bar) on the northern shore of the lake.

Skadar Lake is the largest lake in the Balkans and one of the most ecologically valuable wetlands in Europe. It is designated as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site). It is also part of the Emerald Network under the Bern Convention and is included in the future Natura 2000 network. Located in southern Montenegro, Skadar Lake is a biodiversity hotspot, home to diverse habitats—wet meadows, floodplain forests, hedgerows, and farmlands—and numerous threatened or endemic species.

By whom?

The Center for Protection and Research of Birds (CZIP) is implementing this project.

CZIP’s mission is to protect birds and other animal and plant species, as well as their habitats; to monitor biodiversity in Montenegro; to educate citizens; to promote scientific research; and to cooperate with other national and international organizations engaged in nature conservation.

Which challenges?

The abandonment of mowing and grazing has caused ecological degradation, mainly due to the spread of invasive alien species such as Amorpha fruticosa.

Local communities are losing agricultural land, traditional farming knowledge, land-based livelihoods, and ecosystem services. Rural depopulation, limited institutional support, and low awareness have worsened the situation, leading to continued environmental decline.