IUSS Conference on Salinization and field excursion September 19, 2009

Salinization of land and waters is a widespread problem that has serious consequences. Although salinization is a natural process, human-induced salinization has far-reaching negative effects. In spite of the fact that there are similarities in salt-affected lands all over the world, many differences occur in their formation processes and characteristics. Salinization of agricultural lands can be prevented if the process is better understood.

There are two aspects of salinization that call for special attention:

-if the accumulation of sodium is not accompanied by large concentrations of soluble salts, the physical properties, and the resulting soil-water relationship, become a major obstacle in cultivation.

-improper irrigation will typically result in off-site effects, and therefore cause not only physical and financial, but also political-societal conflicts.

The study of salt-affected soils is rather advanced and represents the forefront of soil research. Hopefully the upcoming meeting will make an important contribution towards solving the problems related to salinization.

Conference Topics

-Remote sensing and GIS in the assessment, mapping and monitoring of salinity/sodicity/alkalinity status of soils
-Assessment of soil salinity/sodicity/alkalinity with new laboratory and field techniques
-Agrogeological problems related to salinization/sodication/alkalization
-Ecology and soil-plant correlations in native salt-affected habitats
-Mapping of salt-affected soils based on environmental correlation
-The role of geological and other environmental conditions in the genesis of saline and sodic soils
-Groundwater depth, concentration and its relationship with salinization/sodication/alkalization of soils
-Classification of salt-affected soils for international correlation, land use and land evaluation
-Modern methods for the characterization and diagnosis of physico-chemical and colloid-chemical properties of sodic soils
-New approaches and results in the amelioration of sodic soils, under irrigation and rain fed conditions (chemical, agrotechnical, biological and complex amelioration practices, afforestation measures)
-Protection of saline lakes, grasslands and other salt-affected habitats
-Ecological consequences of soil amelioration
-Spatial and temporal changes in salinity/sodicity/alkalinity status of salt-affected areas
-Prevention and prediction of secondary salinization/sodication/alkalization due to irrigation
-Use of saline waters in agriculture
-Legal aspects of irrigation-induced salinization
-Prevention of ecological catastrophes and other off-site consequences of secondary salinization
-Increase of public awareness and education for the prevention of secondary salinization

Conference information provided by konferenciakalauz.hu

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