# Saline and Sodic Soils in the European Union, Jan. 2008

The Saline and Sodic Soils Map shows the area distribution of saline, sodic and potentially salt affected areas within the European Union. The accuracy of input input data only allows the designation of salt affected areas with a limited level of reliability (e.g. < 50 or > 50% of the area); therefore the results represented in the map should only be used for orientating purposes.
			
			Two major data sources are available to delineate areas at risk of salt accumulation in Europe: The European Soil Database (ESDB, 2004) and the map of salt affected soils in Europe compiled by Szabolcs (1974). Szabolcs’ map was of pressing importance in the 1970s because the salinity and alkalinity of soils hindered the satisfactory agricultural utilisation of lands in many regions.

To delineate an updated map of salt affected soils in Europe, items from the two databases were selected that have characteristics of salt affected or potentially salt effected soils. Potentially salt affected refers to soils that are at present not or to a very low degree saline or alkaline, but where human intervention (irrigation) may cause their considerable salinisation and/or alkanisation/sodification (Szabolcs, 1974).

The information on salinity and alkalinity, available directly or through pedotransfer rules in the ESDB, is described in detail by Baruth et al. (2006). In the WRB (World Reference Base) soil names that give information about salinity are Solonchaks, "salic" soils, or "petrosalic" soils. 

			This metadata record is adapted from the orginal one received from JRC.https://sdi.eea.europa.eu/geonetwork/srv/api/records/68564428-c531-4e58-b170-c8286469f835


[More information](https://sdi.eea.europa.eu/catalogue/srv/api/records/68564428-c531-4e58-b170-c8286469f835)
    