Planting trees to control salinity

Authors

Nick Schofield
Phil Scott

Keywords

Saline soils, Reclaimed land, Groundwater recharge, Trees, Afforestation, Western Australia

Disciplines

Forest Management | Hydrology | Natural Resources Management and Policy

First Page Number

3

Last Page Number

10

ISSN

0021-8618

Abstract

Dense tree plantings covering at least 30 per cent of cleared land can lower groundwater levels by two metres or more in 10 years from the time of planting. This sizeable drop can be expected at sites receiving 700 to 800 mm of rain a year. Research by the Water Authority of Western Australia shows the most promising strategy when using trees is to put dense plantings on the discharge zone and on lower to midslopes. This strategy is successful where groundwaters contain less than 30,000 milligrams per litre total soluble salts (TSS).

This article discusses research in the 450 to 800 mm rainfall zone by the Water Authority, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) and CSIRO.

Recommended Citation

Schofield, Nick and Scott, Phil (1991) "Planting trees to control salinity," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 32: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol32/iss1/2