Summary
This viewpoint article provides a synthesis of current knowledge on primary and secondary soil salinization in drylands, examining the natural and anthropogenic mechanisms driving salt accumulation under climate change and unsustainable land-use practices. It evaluates emerging measurement and monitoring technologies, including multi-source data fusion and multiscale modelling approaches, alongside management strategies aimed at reducing salinization impacts on agricultural productivity and ecosystem resilience. The paper positions itself as a forward-looking assessment of research gaps and practical tools relevant to food security and soil health in salt-affected regions globally.
UK applicability
Soil salinization is not a widespread problem in the UK's humid climate, though it is relevant to irrigated horticultural soils in eastern England and to coastal or estuarine areas at risk from sea-level rise; the monitoring and modelling frameworks discussed may nonetheless inform UK soil health assessment methodologies.
Key measures
Soil salinity indicators; spatial–temporal salt accumulation patterns; remote sensing and multi-source data fusion metrics; salinization modelling performance; management intervention outcomes
Outcomes reported
The paper synthesises advances in measuring and monitoring soil salinity using multi-source data fusion and advanced modelling techniques, and critically evaluates management strategies for mitigating salinization in dryland environments. It assesses spatial–temporal drivers of salt accumulation and emerging technologies for full-cycle soil salinity simulation.
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