SOIL-PLANT INTERRELATIONS: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
SOIL DEGRADATION AND THE THE RISK ASSESSMENT
METHODOLOGY FOR SALINIZATION

A. Hagyó, T. Tóth, E. BLoEM S. EATM van der Zee, E. Horváth

Abstract: Numerous methodologies are used in the EU Member States to assess the risk for different soil
threats related to various agricultural practices (erosion, salinisation, organic matter decline, compaction and
landslides). Our aim was to evaluate the risk assessment methodologies (RAMs) utilized for salinization in the
Member States based on questionnaires sent to experts and policy makers. A first analysis of the obtained
information reveals that most countries affected by the problem do not have official methodology and some
countries do not have any methodology at all. Hungary has an officially recognized assessment. Slovakia and
Spain has a RAM used by scientists. Greece and Cyprus provided information about RAM that they would
prefer. Salt-affected soils occur in Bulgaria, France, Italy and Romania also, but we didn’t get answer from
these countries. To fill the information gaps we need a further analysis on scientific papers.

Keywords: soil degradation, salinization, risk assessment, European Union