Salinity is a measure of the amount of salt in surface soil or groundwater and is related to the loss of trees as well as the increasing use of irrigation for crops and pastures. This gives rise to two types of salinity: irrigation salinity and dryland salinity. Both types occur when water tables rise, bringing salts normally stored well below ground to near the soil surface.
An estimated 6% of establishments with agricultural activity in NSW reported agricultural land affected by salinity in 2000-01. The Statistical Division (SD) with the highest percentage reporting agricultural land affected by salinity was the South Eastern SD with 15%.
AGRICULTURAL LAND AFFECTED BY SALINITY, 2000-01
|
| Statistical Division | Establishments with
agricultural activity
% affected |
|
| Sydney | 1 |
| Hunter | 2 |
| Illawarra | 2 |
| Richmond-Tweed | - |
| Mid-North Coast | 2 |
| Northern | 4 |
| North Western | 7 |
| Central West | 7 |
| South Eastern | 15 |
| Murrumbidgee | 9 |
| Murray | 9 |
| Far West | 3 |
 | |
| New South Wales | 6 |
|
Source: Unpublished ABS data available on request, 2001 Agricultural Census.
An estimated 18% of establishments with agricultural activity in NSW reported using salinity management strategies in 2000-01. The Statistical Division (SD) with the highest percentage reporting use of salinity management strategies was the Murray SD with 40%.
SALINITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES, 2000-01
|
| Statistical Division | Establishments with
agricultural activity
% using salinity management strategies |
|
| Sydney | 5 |
| Hunter | 12 |
| Illawarra | 5 |
| Richmond-Tweed | 5 |
| Mid-North Coast | 4 |
| Northern | 14 |
| North Western | 17 |
| Central West | 20 |
| South Eastern | 22 |
| Murrumbidgee | 34 |
| Murray | 40 |
| Far West | 5 |
| |
| New South Wales | 18 |
|
Source: Unpublished ABS data available on request, 2001 Agricultural Census.
Print Page
Print All