ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMIC  ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN THE COASTAL   LAGOON OF KARAVASTA IN ALBANIA

Romina Koto,  Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania
Aida Bani, National Agency of Environment and Forestry, Albania

Abstract

Coastal lagoons are valuable ecosystems, which provide a variety of ecological functions that directly or indirectly translate to economic services and values to humans. These benefits may take several forms but the economic benefits are highly valued, and are obtained from the lagoon goods and services.  In order to assess what changes may occur in these goods and services, is studied: the Karavasta lagoon ecosystem as one of the most important coastal ecosystems in Albania which includes diverse habitats and part of the "List of Wetlands of International Importance" established by the Ramsar Convention. The Karavasta lagoon exists in a developing country, where the lagoon ecosystem is threatened by land use changes, a decrease in sustainable use and where management interventions are minimal. In developing countries, too often are ecosystem values suffered for the sake of economic development, therefore the objectives of the study were to demonstrate the net benefits derived from the lagoon, in order to make suggestions for improved a sustainable use, also aims to demonstrate to policy and decision makers about the need for improved management. To achieve the necessary information, a field survey will be conducted in the lagoon. The first step will include the identification of the goods and services of the lagoon ecosystem and rank them in terms of importance. Relating the second step, were to identify the goods and services to the type of use value (e.g. direct use, indirect use and non-use). The next step will include quantifying the economic values and implementing the total economic value.  It has also shown that there is a large potential for the Karavasta Lagoon to be sustainably managed so that its value can at least be maintained for future generations.