Proceedings of the Global Forum on Salinization and Climate Change
No hay miniatura disponible
Fecha
Título de la revista
ISSN de la revista
Título del volumen
Editor
Resumen
Descripción
The relevance of the possible impact of climate change in many productive areas prompted the organization of a meeting considering the possible effects of climate change on cultivated lands, coastal areas and other areas under risk of salinization. This constituted a new approach to the prevention of the risk of salinization, and an attempt to develop strategies for early action at regional and global scale. The GFSCC2010 was the first forum of global participation on this subject. Soil saliniz ation is one of the more subtle and progressive causes of soil degradation, threatening some of the most productive lands currently under irrigated agriculture. It is also an increasing environmental concern for those areas for which suggested climate change scenarios predict aridity increase and/or sea level rise. Salinity is also a natural inherent condition of many ecosystems contributing to global biodiversity supporting halophytes. Salinization is a problem that has long being associated w ith agriculture, both as a constraint and as the result of inappropriate practices. In addition, agriculture intensification, as well as changes in temperature and precipitation patterns expected from climate change, are likely to further affect the salt-water balance of fragile ecosystems. Information on the relationship between climate change, salt-affected habitats and salinization processes is scarce. There is a need to establish a better picture of the most affected or vulnerable areas and to promote practices that can be used to adapt agricultural production in areas susceptible to climate change. This will contribute to food security and reduce stress on ecosystems. The forum constituted an opportunity to discuss, from a multi-disciplinary perspective, the problems associated with salinization and climate change and strengthened the dialogue between policy makers, scientists and field experts.