Integrating GIS and Remote Sensing to Assess Natural Heritage Management Challenges under Climate Change: The Case of Prespa National Park, Albania

Abstract

Prespa National Park, located in southeastern Albania, is part of the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve extending into Greece and North Macedonia. It offers a unique landscape where natural and cultural heritage elements coexist with high potential for sustainable tourism and local development. This study integrates climate data, satellite imagery, and geospatial datasets to evaluate the challenges of sustainable management of Prespa National Park under the conditions of climate change and growing tourism pressures. Data were obtained from Copernicus reanalysis (ERA5) and Earth Explorer satellite sources, and analyzed using GIS and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques in QGIS, combined with a multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) framework to map ecological sensitivity based on slope, forest density, and land-cover indicators. The analyses have revealed warming trends, variability in precipitation, and spatial changes in the forest cover and tree density, identifying areas of high ecological sensitivity requiring targeted conservation strategies. Results highlight both the urgency of climate adaptation measures and the strong potential of Prespa National Park for ecotourism and community-based conservation. The study demonstrates that GIS/RS-based approaches provide transferable and evidence-driven tools for managing protected areas and integrating climate resilience into spatial planning.