They call it Europe鈥檚 Galapagos. is the most biodiverse lake of its size in the world, home to more than 350聽species found nowhere else and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site based on its natural value. It is also Europe鈥檚 oldest lake, having survived for more than a million years.
But none of that may save it.
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For a tourist boom is coming to Ohrid, the town on its shores. From April, British holidaymakers can take a from Luton to holiday in Ohrid. To meet their needs, the lake鈥檚 most critical ecosystem is set to be concreted over to make space for apartments and a marina.
鈥淟ake Ohrid is a Holy Grail for biologists from all over the world,鈥� says Christian Albrecht of the University of Giessen in Germany. 鈥淏ut it faces a biodiversity crisis.鈥�
Albrecht was part of an international team of researchers who in 2013, to chart its complex history. They uncovered the 鈥渃ombination of longevity and stability that has triggered the evolution of the endemic species鈥�.
Unique species
鈥淭he lake is not as old as the famous big lakes of the world, such as Baikal or Tanganyika,鈥� says Albrecht. 鈥淗owever if you take its size into account, it is the most biodiverse lake in the world. I am seriously concerned about the future of its endemic species. Many are restricted to a few square metres of the lake.鈥�
The majority of the lake鈥檚 fish and snails , as are many of its sponges and worms.
These species often live around underwater springs that bubble up from the surrounding limestone geology and create ecological niches, says of the University of Bratislava in Slovakia.
has survived a lot over its long history, including repeated glaciations and fallout from volcanic eruptions.
But a 鈥渃reeping crisis鈥� for the lake from the rising human population is about to become critical because of the coming tourist boom.
In particular, the lake鈥檚 most important buffer against human activity, , is threatened with being wiped from the map. 鈥淚ts buffering function is being jeopardised,鈥� says Albrecht.
Luxury apartments
The marsh is the only surviving wetland on the lake鈥檚 shore. It cleans raw sewage and other pollution from water flowing from Ohrid into the lake.
It also harbours its own rare species, including the Macedonian crested newt (Triturus macedonicus) and four globally endangered butterflies.
But last year Ohrid鈥檚 mayor, Nikola Bakraceski, unveiled plans to drain the entire 75-hectare marsh and replace it with luxury housing and a marina.
鈥淭hese development plans will irreversibly destroy this crucial ecosystem,鈥� says Albrecht. In a letter sent to the Macedonian president in October, Jablonski called the plan to drain the marsh, and to replace nearby reed beds with imported sand to create Mediterranean-style beaches, 鈥渢otally unacceptable鈥�.
So far, the city authorities haven鈥檛 responded to their pleas.
A has launched a petition to save the unique habitats.
Read more: 鈥�This vast lake will die so millions can live better鈥�
Image credit: Armend Nimani/AFP/Getty Images
