CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON SOIL SALINITY DYNAMICS IN THE COASTAL AREAS OF ALBANIA: CHALLENGES AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES

Soil salinization in Albania’s coastal zone has emerged as one of the most critical forms of land degradation, increasingly exacerbated by climate change. Rising air temperatures, prolonged droughts, sea-level rise, and declining precipitation alter the water–salt balance, accelerating the accumulation of soluble salts such as sodium, chloride, and sulfate in agricultural soils. These processes directly threaten soil fertility, crop productivity, and rural livelihoods in one of Albania’s most productive agricultural regions. This study examines the interplay between climatic variability and salinity dynamics in the municipalities of Vlora, Fier, Lushnje, and Divjaka, areas where the combined influence of marine intrusion and human-induced land-use changes has intensified salinity risks. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating laboratory analyses of soil samples collected in 2021 with climatic data (the last 5 years) from the Institute of Geosciences. The assessment of soil parameters, including electrical conductivity, sodium (Na), chlorides (Cl), sulfates (SO₄), pH, and dry residue at various depths, and correlated them with temperature and precipitation trends. The findings reveal that salinity levels have increased by over 40% compared to pre-1990 measurements, confirming an upward trend in the re-salinization of previously reclaimed lands. The deterioration of drainage and irrigation infrastructure, coupled with rising evapotranspiration and seawater intrusion, has contributed to the progressive degradation of coastal soils. The study highlights that soil salinization in Albania is no longer a solely hydrological or agricultural issue but a climate-driven phenomenon. Effective adaptation strategies are required to mitigate its long-term impacts. These include rehabilitating drainage and irrigation systems, applying gypsum and organic amendments, cultivating salt-tolerant crops, and adopting precision irrigation and monitoring technologies. Strengthening institutional capacity and implementing climate-smart land management policies are essential to preserve the limited agricultural resources and ensure sustainable food production under changing climatic conditions.