Groundwater trends in the agricultural area of Western Australia

Authors

R A. Nulsen

Publication Date

1-3-1998

Series Number

173

Abstract

In 1994 it was estimated that salinity affected more than 1.8 million ha of agricultural land in Western Australia (Ferdowsian et al. 1996). This area was predicted to expand to over three million ha by about 2020 and, if nothing is done to stem the expansion, to eventually affect some six million ha, or 30% of the agricultural land in the state. Damaging levels of salt accumulation in the root zone of both native and introduced plants can generally only occur when the groundwater levels are relatively cl te the variability of responses. Several depict episodic recharge (recharge as a result of either large storm events or a very wet year) and clearly show the need for long term monitoring of groundwater levels.

Keywords

Salinity, Water table, Western Australia, Groundwater, Groundwater recharge

Disciplines

Agriculture | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Soil Science | Water Resource Management

Recommended Citation

Nulsen, R A. (1998), Groundwater trends in the agricultural area of Western Australia. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia, Perth. Report 173.

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