Salinisation is the process that leads to an excessive increase of water-soluble salts in the soil. The accumulation of salts in the soil is a leading cause of soil degradation. Over 833 million hectares of soils worldwide – corresponding to more than 10% of cropland – are already salt-affected, according to the global salt-affected soils map launched by the FAO. This is posing a major risk to food security worldwide.
The European Commission’s Soil Strategy 2030 identifies salinisation as a severe threat to further land degradation processes. According to the FAO, soil hosts more than 25% of all biodiversity on the planet. In addition, soil biodiversity is likely to decrease due to more frequent droughts, floods, and sea seepage. This is causing agricultural yield losses and damage to infrastructure and the environment. The current policies proposed by the European Commission primarily aim to enhance soil health, improve water management, and reduce salt intrusion. However, salinisation has not yet been fully addressed as a comprehensive topic on the EU policy agenda.
Climate change impact
In recent years, extreme weather events like devastating floods, unprecedented droughts, and intense heat waves have intensified, impacting several continents and European countries as well. These climate crises as well as improper irrigation and agricultural protocols have led to increased soil salinity in many regions.
The socio-economic and ecological impacts of soil salinisation on our food systems are a global problem that cannot be solved in isolation or confined to individual research fields or countries. Addressing these challenges demands collaborative and innovative thinking.
These lands can be rehabilitated through saline agriculture, which employs techniques for managing soil, water, and salt-tolerant crops. Cultivating salt-affected areas helps tackle food and water security challenges amid climate change and population growth.
To ensure resilient food systems through innovative transitions, scientists need to inform policymakers to take action, by adopting an innovative, inclusive, and transformative approach. As a result, there is an urgent need to create a network of research and practice and foster the sustainable use of salt-affected lands.
Introducing SUSTAIN COST Action
To develop a sustainable use of salt-affected lands, a new European transdisciplinary network of scientific experts, and stakeholders was set up to investigate how salinisation is building up in inland and coastal areas.
Sustainable use of salt-affected lands (SUSTAIN) intends to identify strategies and evaluate current practices in salinisation in irrigated and dryland farming areas. This collaborative research network from 44 countries gathers the expertise of 249 members in fields such as biology, ecology, agricultural and soil science, geography, and economics, to tackle the challenge in Europe and globally.
“One of the major strengths of this COST Action is that it is inter- and transdisciplinary, and tries to translate the latest research data on saline agriculture into concrete policy briefs towards decision-makers and also to provide tangible best practices and advice to farmers and all other stakeholders involved” Dr Katarzyna Negacz, Chair of SUSTAIN
“Our network is constantly growing, we have already 249 members from 44 different countries, but we warmly welcome any new participants from Europe and beyond to build an international network dedicated to the sustainable use of saline soils”, adds Dr Katalin Solymosi, Science Communication Coordinator of the network.
Innovative solutions
Managing salt-affected irrigated land requires an understanding of the complex interactions between soil, crops, irrigation water, and climate. Effective and sustainable management of salt-affected soils is essential for preserving global biodiversity and ensuring future food security.
In addition, SUSTAIN will actively seek cooperation with some of the existing international networks for saline agriculture. By considering the expertise of previous and existing projects, SUSTAIN aims to identify gaps and further develop a new research agenda.
By exploring key issues that still require further study the SUSTAIN network will develop methods for monitoring and mapping soil salinisation, modeling its effects on plants, and evaluating the impact of soil salinity. Saline agriculture has the potential to improve soil health and develop best practices. SUSTAIN will work on these challenges to initiate innovative solutions.
A sustainable, long-term solution would significantly benefit millions of growers affected by soil salinity and have a profound impact on the ecosystem.
Additional information
View the Action Website
View the Network Website: https://sustaincostaction.eu/
Follow SUSTAIN on social media: Twitter/X; Facebook; and LinkedIn