Soil salinity poses challenges for sustainable agriculture and wildlife
If soil becomes too saline, crop productivity falls. In California, the Imperial Valley and western San Joaquin Valley are major areas of concern where salinity can harm agricultural productivity. The Imperial Valley has achieved salt balance by discharging salty drainage...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
2000-03-01
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| Series: | California Agriculture |
| Online Access: | http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?article=ca.v054n02p43 |
| Summary: | If soil becomes too saline, crop productivity falls. In California, the Imperial Valley
and western San Joaquin Valley are major areas of concern where salinity can harm
agricultural productivity. The Imperial Valley has achieved salt balance by discharging
salty drainage water into the Salton Sea, but this practice threatens fish and possibly
birds. Without an avenue to remove salts from the western San Joaquin Valley, long-term
agricultural productivity is jeopardized unless an in-valley sink, such as evaporation
ponds, can be used to accumulate the salts. However, high selenium concentrations
in drainage-water evaporation ponds can be hazardous to birds. The future of agriculture
and wildlife in both valleys can be enhanced by cooperative, innovative approaches
between government, growers and environmental advocates. For example, water allocated
for agriculture can be used to construct highly productive “compensation habitats,”
which can attract high concentrations of nesting birds and offset negative impacts
to wildlife at the Salton Sea and West Side evaporation ponds. |
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| ISSN: | 0008-0845 2160-8091 |