Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Western Balkan Mountains

areas of permanent snow accumulation at Debeli Namet (Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, 2015). However, predicted future warming (especially in the summer) alongside drier conditions might result in the disappearance of all glaciers within the coming decades (Grunewald &

Scheithauer, 2010). Land resources

The quality of soil and land has widespread implications not only for agriculture but also for the productive capacity of the land, and the risk of soil and land degradation is likely to increase with climate change. Increases in temperature, changing precipitation patterns, floods and droughts directly influence the properties and processes in soils, which can lead to accelerated erosion, land degradation and desertification (EEA, 2008). When droughts (which are forecast to increase significantly during the summer periods in the Balkans) are followed by periods of intense rain on steep, unstable terrain, the soil is not able to absorb rainfall, resulting in excessive run-off, landslides and floods. Wildfires and overexploitation of resources can further contribute to desertification. The Western Balkans is characterized by a mountainous landscape and abundant forest coverage; hence there are areas where desertification and land degradation is a concrete environmental issue. Degraded soils and land are unable to retain as much water, leading to increased flooding, and increased pollution and sedimentation in rivers and streams. The loss of topsoil is a global problem, which also affects the Western Balkan countries. In Albania, erosion affects about 25 per cent of the country, with the most critical areas being Shkodra, Tropoja, Saranda and Gjirokastra. In Croatia, about 90 per cent of the soil surface is exposed to

Satellite image of wildfires on the Balkan peninsula, 2007

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