The salinity problem is very difficult to solve because:

 

1.  the issues are complex

 

2.   management strategies that are effective in one area may not be applicable in another area

 

3.   the cost of salinity control is high

 

4.   management strategies put into place today may take many years to have any effect.

 

 

There are several approaches to salinity control, including protection of remnant

vegetation, agronomic measures and engineering solutions. The consensus seems to be that

a combination of management practices is the most realistic approach to salinity

management.

 

1. Protection of remnant vegetation

Protecting remnant vegetation can help control recharge and has the added benefit of

helping to maintain the biodiversity and heritage values of the landscape

 

2. Agronomic measures

Agronomic approaches to dryland salinity management include:       1.  improving the way traditional crops and pastures    are farmed by using strategies such as          opportunity or response cropping where planting is    timed to favourable climatic or soil conditions.       2.  introducing perennial crops and pastures,    including some deep-rooted species, into farm    rotations, which reduce deep drainage as they use   water all year round and to a greater depth in the   soil.       3.  planting trees to intercept rainfall and to use    fresh, shallow groundwater.

The main problem with agronomic approaches is the introduction of new crop, pasture and tree

species into existing farming systems, as this means that new equipment may be needed and new

skills developed by the farmers.

 

Additionally, there is uncertainty about the market prospects for new crops and a lack of

commercially viable species suitable for low rainfall areas.

 

3. Engineering options

 

Low flat country is particularly prone to salinity and a combination of paths, channels and

contour banks may be used to manage salinity.

 

Other engineering options include:

 

1.   drainage of surface water to alleviate flooding and waterlogging

 

2.   drainage of saline groundwater to lower water tables and alleviate waterlogging

 

3.   pumping of fresh groundwater to lower water tables and prevent the development of

dryland salinity problems.

 

 

Drainage can be advantageous as it effectively removes water from areas where it is

problematic and, providing the water is potable (fresh), can supplement farm water supplies.

However, engineering works can be expensive to install, operate and maintain, and there is the

problem of where to dispose of the saline water without causing environmental problems

downstream.

 

Another management option is saltland farming, which involves planting salt-affected land

with salt-tolerant grasses or shrubs. Planting discharge areas with salt-tolerant

vegetation is an important strategy for decreasing the spread of salinity, reducing the

visual impact of saline land, decreasing erosion and obtaining productivity from salt-

tolerant grasses and shrubs...

 

Saltland farming is an important strategy for managing existing saline land, however its

contribution to controlling groundwater recharge has been minimal, until now...

 

topline plant company

 

 

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