Australian Dryland Salinity Risk and Hazard Maps for 2000-2050

Geospatial maps depict the distribution of high salinity risk and hazard areas across Australia for the years 2000, 2020, and 2050. The dataset was compiled by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences based on groundwater data, geological attributes, and land use. It serves as a national-scale assessment to identify regions requiring detailed study and targeted land management.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial patterns of high salinity risk areas using the hazard classification for 2000, 2020, and 2050.
• Compare salinity hazard assessments between southern Australia (with groundwater data) and northern Australia (based on geological and climate attributes).
• Identify regions where land use changes should be targeted for salinity risk management based on the national hazard map.
• Assess the extent of non-agricultural areas in Western Australia, South Australia, and western New South Wales classified as having very low salinity risk.

Strengths

• Provides multi-decadal forecasts for salinity hazard across three time points (2000, 2020, 2050).
• National-scale compilation integrates data on groundwater, geology, landscape, regolith, land use, and climate.

Limitations

• Groundwater data for trend analysis is sparse or non-existent in northern Australia, reducing assessment confidence there.
• The bulk of non-agricultural areas in several states were not assessed, creating data gaps.
• The data providers explicitly do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information.

Provenance

Source

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry.

Collection Method

Compilation of dryland salinity risk and hazard mapping using available groundwater data and geological/landscape/climate attributes.

Time Range

Forecast years 2000, 2020, and 2050 (assessment published 2001).

Freshness

The underlying assessment is from 2001, though the platform record was updated in 2026.

Geography

Australia, with a focus on southern agricultural regions.