The rapidly increasing amount of land on Earth that is affected by excess salt will lead to potentially devastating effects on global food production, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The report, Global Status of Salt-Affected Soils, found that roughly 3.41 billion acres — 10.7 percent of land worldwide — is impacted by salinity, with another 2.47 billion acres classified as “at risk,” reported The Guardian.
“Salt-affected soils, characterized by high soluble salts (saline) or exchangeable sodium (sodic), impact plant growth and occur globally, especially in arid and coastal regions. Salinization stems from natural causes (e.g. climate change, sea level rise) and human actions (e.g. poor irrigation practices, excessive water use),” a press release from FAO said. “Increasing aridity and water demand amplify soil degradation risks, particularly in developing regions.”
Salinity is already severely afflicting agriculture worldwide, with approximately one-tenth of irrigated cropland and a similar …