Increased soil salinity

Impact

Soil salinity refers to the presence of elevated levels of soluble salts, i.e. sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium sulfates and bicarbonates, in the soil.  In some areas it is a natural phenomenon in the landscape due to soil formation and water movement (for example, in inland salt pans, brackish streams, coastal salt marshes and naturally saline soils).  In other areas, increasing salinity is the result of particular land use practices, such as vegetation clearing, and unsuitable practices associated with urban development, irrigation or cultivation of crops and pastures.  Effects can occur onsite or in low lying areas of the catchment.

Suggested indicators: Saline land⁺, Soil salinity⁺

Increased soil salinity may be associated with:

Potential associated impacts	Suggested indicators+
Reduced vegetation condition due to toxicity	Ground cover Shrub cover Tree canopy cover & health Weed cover Organic litter Native vegetation area Vegetation density Impacts on native vegetation
Changed vegetation species composition	Native plant richness  Weed species Pasture species
Changed fauna habitat influencing diversity of terrestrial and aquatic species present	Impact on native fauna Native land fauna Fauna behaviour Exotic pest fauna River & wetland fauna Fish Aquatic macro-invertebrates
Salinisation of previously fresh waterways	Salinity of water
Increased potential for soil erosion	Hillslope erosion Gully erosion Wind erosion
Increased potential for algal blooms	Microalgae in water

⁺ Descriptions of indicators (PDF, 76K)* provides a brief description of each indicator including techniques and purpose.

* Requires Adobe Reader

Last updated 7 September 2010

Land Manager's Monitoring Guide

• Monitoring overview
• Selecting indicators
• - Enterprise or production systems
• - Land practices
• - Management activity
• - Impact
• Indicators