Land cover data assessment in Albania

Abstract

Land cover refers to the observed physical cover of the Earth's surface which describes the distribution of vegetation types, water bodies and human-made infrastructure. It also reflects the use of land resources for agriculture, forestry, human settlements and other purposes. In this context our current study was focused on the evaluation of land cover changes in Albania during the year period 2000-2018, using CORINE land cover program. Albania has a total area of 28,748 km2, from which 24% is agricultural land, 36% forest, 16% pastures and meadows and 24% is classified as other, which includes urban areas, lakes and waterways and unused rocky. Land cover in Albania during the year period 2000-2018, was excessively affected by natural phenomena and human activity. Land cover changes in Albania were mainly affected by urban residential sprawl over agricultural land. Thus, the urban residential land increased with about 1% (or about 28,000 Ha) and the agricultural land increased with 3.46% (or about 98,000 Ha), whereas forest area and mix agricultural area decreased with 2.1% (or about 60,000 Ha) and 5.35% (about 150,000 Ha), respectively.