Tree Plantations in Saline Environments: Ecosystem Services, Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

Agroforestry has now emerged as an environmentally safe technology forthe remediation of serious land degradation problems such assalt-affected soils, handling waterlogging particularly in canal commandareas, and disposal of marginal waters. Not only the salt-affected soilsin inland areas of arid and semiarid regions but also those in coastalareas can be made productive by adopting agroforestry techniques. Theintegrated farming systems involving multiple components such as treeplantations, fruit trees, agricultural crops, and animal and aquaculturecomponents can be highly remunerative. Mangroves and associatevegetation play a crucial role in protecting shores and supportingwildlife and for the livelihood security of coastal people.Domestication of halophytes can be useful for food, fodder, oil, andmedicinal and aromatic purposes. Salt-tolerant but high-productivitygenotypes should be developed for greater viability. The latestinformation on these aspects has been compiled in a format that would beuseful for scientists working on soil salinity, waterlogging, andpoor-quality waters; policy makers; environmentalists; students; andeducationists alike.