Land and Biodiversity

Salinity

Salinity refers to the presence of salt near the surface of soils. Soils can be naturally saline, referred to as primary salinity, or salinity may be induced by disturbance to groundwater dynamics, known as secondary salinity. Secondary salinity occurs when more water enters the watertable than is discharged. When this occurs, the watertable rises, bringing with it dissolved salts. When the salt approaches the soil surface it may be further concentrated by evaporation. Most plants do not tolerate high levels of salt, and salinity threatens agricultural production and natural ecosystems.

Salinity is known to occur over about 240,000 ha of Victoria. Some of this area is naturally saline, while salinity in other areas has been induced by broadscale change from native vegetation to agricultural species or excess irrigation. Concerted efforts have been made in Victoria to change land management to reduce salinity risks and lower watertables. These have been assisted by Victoria’s prolonged dry period, which has reduced the amount of water entering the watertable.

This section provides information about salinity in Victoria and estimates of the amount of land affected. A case study focussing on land management changes addressing salinity in Victoria’s irrigation region is presented. National, State and regional policy and management responses to salinity are discussed and recommendations for ongoing management of salinity are presented.

Part 4.2.6 - Salinity (PDF - 568 KB)