Soil salinization

and sodication
Ca

Na

SO UR CE: STATU S OF T H E WO RLD S S OI L RE SO URC ES - MA IN RE PO RT

Mg

++

++

Increase in water-soluble salts in soil,

including potassium, magnesium,
calcium, chlorine, sulphate, carbonate,
bicarbonate (salinization) or high
sodium content (sodication).
It negatively affects plant growth,
reduces crop yields and can make
soils unproductive.

THE SOIL SALINITY THREAT CAN BE CONTAINED

BY DIRECT LEACHING OF SALTS, PLANTING SALT
TOLERANT VARIETIES, PHYTOREMEDIATION, CHEMICAL
AMELIORATION AND/OR USE OF ORGANIC AMENDMENTS

USD 441/ha
is the estimated 2016
annual cost
of salt-induced
land degradation

E Europe and Eurasia

NA

North
America

NENA

Near East and

North Africa

Asia

SSA

sub-Saharan Africa

LAC

SP

SOIL THREATS
Soil salinization and sodication
Condition

Very
poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Trend

Improving

Deteriorating

Variable

Stable

FAO, 2016 - I6471EN/1/11.16

Southwest
Pacic

Latin America
and the Caribbean