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Dryland Salinity and Ecosystem Distress Syndrome: Human Health Implications
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 18:16 authored by Jardine, A, Speldewinde, P, Scott CarverScott Carver, Weinstein, PClearing of native vegetation for agriculture has left 1.047 million hectares of southwest Western Australia affected by dryland salinity, and this area may expand up to a further 1.7–3.4 million hectares if trends continue. Ecosystems in saline-affected regions display many of the classic characteristics of Ecosystem Distress Syndrome, one outcome of which has not yet been investigated in relation to dryland salinity: adverse human health implications. This article seeks to review existing information and identify potential adverse human health effects. Three key potential impacts on human health resulting from dryland salinity are identified: wind-borne dust and respiratory health; altered ecology of the mosquito-borne disease Ross River virus; and mental health consequences of salinity-induced environmental degradation. Given the predicted increase in extent and severity of dryland salinity over coming decades, adverse outcomes of salinity are likely to be further exacerbated, including those related to human health. There is a clear need to investigate the issues discussed in this review and also to identify other potential adverse health effects of dryland salinity. Investigations must be multidisciplinary to sufficiently examine the broad scope of these issues. The relationship between human health and salinity may also be relevant beyond Australia in other countries where secondary soil salinization is occurring.
History
Publication title
EcohealthVolume
4Pagination
10-17ISSN
1612-9202Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Springer New York LLCPlace of publication
United StatesRights statement
Copyright 2007 EcoHealth Journal ConsortiumRepository Status
- Restricted