Working Group 3
Total value of saline ecosystems and landscapes
Description
This WG will discuss upscaling of sustainable management practices for salt-affected soils, to promote the transfer of research findings from the lab to the field and improve water use and crop productivity. The work will focus on: i) highlighting the economic, social and environmental value of salt-affected lands and saline landscapes instead of cost-focused approaches; ii) valorising saline ecosystems from irrigated lands and drylands to raise awareness, inspire new business models and improve communication; and iii) addressing upscaling the market for saline production and consumption by informing about new crops, salt-induced changes in nutritional characteristics, and potential market chains.
Objectives
–
Tasks
-
Task 3.1
Prepare a database of best practices in saline agriculture to support the sustainable use of salt-affected lands while considering the food system trade-offs;
-
Task 3.2
Propose new business models for various salinity levels to foster upscaling of saline agriculture and other sustainable uses of salt-affected lands;
-
Task 3.3
Discuss valuation techniques applicable to saline landscapes;
-
Task 3.4
Collect studies showcasing economic potential of salt-affected lands;
-
Task 3.5
Build on the knowledge in WG1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.
Deliverables
-
D3.1
A database of best practices in saline agriculture (M24-36);
-
D3.2
A report with new business models for various salinity scales (M36-48);
-
D3.3
A methodology workshop on valuation techniques for salt-affected lands (M12-24);
-
D3.4
A paper with meta-analysis showcasing economic potential of salt-affected land (M18- 30);
-
D3.5
Synthesis of WG1 and WG2 output needed to implement WG3 activities (M18-36).