International Salinity Forum

Managing Saline Soils and Water:
Science, Technology, and Social Issues

Riverside Convention Center -- Riverside, California
Welcome Reception -- 7:00-9:00 p.m., Sunday April 24

April 25-27, 2005 Salinity Forum
(Opening Session Starts at 8:00 a.m. April 25)
April 28, 2005 Farm Tour (Tour Closed - Full)

Topic Links:

Background	Topics/Agenda	Partners	News Releases
Targeted Audience	Opportunities	Conference Contacts	Conference Brochure
Expected Outcomes	Sponsors	Exhibitors

Background:

More than 6,000 million human beings inhabit Earth, along with uncountable numbers of other species. Human population is expected to increase by one-third in 20 years. To maintain the present level of food intake worldwide (already inadequate in many areas) will require a 40 to 50 percent increase in agricultural production over the next 30 to 40 years. Similarly, degradation of agricultural and drinking water presents a major threat.

Simply stated, world peace depends upon adequate and stable food and water supplies.

Increase in food supply depends primarily on increase in crop production. The FAO reports "Growth in crop production can come from increases in arable land, cropping intensity, and yield per unit area of cropped land." Salinization of soils and water significantly limits opportunities for growth in crop production.

Worldwide, an estimated 12 to 17 million acres of arable land are lost for production annually from soil degradation. Of these, 5 million acres are directly attributable to soil salinization. In the United States, almost a quarter of the irrigated lands exhibit some degree of salinization resulting in significant crop losses.

Salinity poses a major environmental threat in many countries and a threat to their infrastructure. It is an enormous issue in agriculture, but also poses economic costs on roads, pipelines, and railroads.

International Salinity Forum:

Targeted Audience:

Policymakers, agricultural committees, and professionals from around the globe; USDA–Agricultural Research Service, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service; USDI–Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and university scientists.

Expected Outcomes:

• Networking
• Sharing new technology
• Improving regional strategic plans
• Training professionals
• Meeting today's needs in salinity
• Increasing awareness

Session Topics and Agenda (pdf, Updated 22 April 2005) :

• Social and Economic Dimensions
• Salinization Processes & Reclamation
• Mapping, Monitoring, and Assessment Methods and Technologies
• Emerging Desalinization Technologies
• Industrial Salt Discharges and Salt Water Encroachment
• Regional and Closed Basin Management Strategies
• Ecology and Wildlife Impacts
• Irrigation and Return Flow in Saline Environments
• Rangeland and Dryland Salinity
• Brackish and Saline Water Use
• Wastewater Reuse and Disposal
• Plant Salt Tolerance and Breeding (Cellular and Whole Plant Response)
• Response of Crops to Salinity
• Toxic Elements Related to Salinity
• Turf Grasses for Recreational and Municipal Uses
• Currently Scheduled Presentations (pdf)

Opportunities:

• Coachella Valley Farm Tour
• Meet the Leaders in Salinization Research and Management
• Share New Findings and Emerging Technologies
• Learn of Successful Large-Scale Salinity Control or Mitigation Projects
• Learn the Latest Salinity Management Principles and Applications
• Gain Continuing Education Credits (CEU's) from the American Society of Agronomy, Soils Science Society of America, and Agricultural Engineering Society
• Attend Australia Night on April 25, sponsored by the Australian Delegation, to hear about the latest on Salinity Science from "Down Under" and Enjoy the Delights of Australian Cuisine and Wine

Sponsors:

    Agricultural Research Service, USDA
    Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA
    Bureau of Reclamation, USDI
    Bureau of Land Management, USDI
    University of California Center for Water Resources
    Colorado River Salinity Control Forum
    International Water Association, IWA
    Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-Based Management of Dryland Salinity

Partners:

    Agronomy Society of America
    Crop Science Society of America
    Soil Science Society of America
    International Union of Soil Sciences

Conference Contacts:

1. Dennis W. Neffendorf – (817) 509-3225
   dennis.neffendorf@ftw.nrcs.usda.gov
2. Travis James – (801) 524-3831
   travis.james@ut.usda.gov
3. Donald Suarez – (951) 369-4815
   dsuarez@ussl.ars.usda.gov

Conference Exhibitors:

    CRC Salinity Cooperative Research Centre for Plant Based Management of Dryland Salinity
    Geonics Limited Geophysical Instrumentation for Explorationi & the Environment
    Hach Company Analyzers, Insturments and Chemistries for Water Quality Analysis
    Harward Irrigation Systems Agricultural Irrigation Products
    Irrometer Co. Soil Moisture Sensing and Control Products
    NRCS National Employee Development Center
    Sinclair Knight Merz Environmental Consultants
    Soilmoisture Equipment Corp. Instruments for Measurement & Monitoring of Dielectric Materials, Soil, Water, Plant Relationships
    Spectrum Technologies, Inc. Agricultural Measurement Instruments
    Truax Company, Inc. Seed Planting Equipment

News Releases and Printed Articles :

    Fill-in news release (doc)
    Opening session news release (pdf)
    Changing sea water to tap water discussed from the Riverside Press Enterprise 26 April 2005
    Increased Salt in Soil Poses Worldwide Threat to Society 27 April 2005
    Conference tackles global problem of salinity 25 April 2005

Conference Brochure:

    Conference Brochure  (pdf)