Salinity
Salinity is one of the most serious causes of land and water degradation facing Australia today. There are three forms of salinity:
- Dryland salinity—caused by saline seeps scalding the land surface on non-irrigated lands, which in turn affects plant growth and degrades soil structure.
- Irrigation salinity—occurs on certain irrigated lands from the overuse of water, causing rising water tables.
- Saltwater intrusion— occurs in coastal areas where seawater replaces groundwater that has been over exploited.
In some areas, salinity is a natural phenomenon (for example, in inland salt pans, brackish streams, coastal salt marshes and naturally saline soils). In other areas, it is the result of over-clearing or unsuitable practices associated with urban development, irrigation or cultivation of crops and pastures.
For more information about salinity, see the Department of Natural Resources and Water web site.
Regional NRM plans have identified parts of Queensland that are or may be prone to salinity.
Through the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, communities and governments will work together to prevent, stabilise or reverse dryland salinity and to improve water quality in Queensland.
Last updated 12 December 2008