Soil Salinity and Sodicity in Drylands: A Review of Causes, Effects, Monitoring, and Restoration Measures

Soil salinization and sodification are common processes that particularly characterize drylands. These can be attributed either to natural conditions or anthropogenic activities. While causes include factors such as climate, lithology, topography, pedology, human mostly related agricultural land-use, specifically, irrigated agriculture. The objective of this study was thoroughly review topic, while highlighting the major challenges opportunities. Over time, extent saline, sodic, saline-sodic croplands has increased, resulting in accelerated land degradation desertification, decreased productivity, consequently jeopardizing environmental food security. Mapping monitoring saline soils is an important management tool, aimed at determining severity processes. Recent developments advanced remote sensing methods have improved efficacy mapping soils. Knowledge on prevention, mitigation, recovery soil salinity sodicity substantially grown over time. This knowledge includes measures for salt flushing leaching, water-saving irrigation technologies, precision fertilizer systems, chemical restoration, organic microbial remediation, phytoremediation affected lands. Of a particular interest development forestry-related means, with afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, silvopasture practices salt-affected forecasted expansion drylands aggravated drying existing due climatic change emphasize importance topic.