National Land and Water Resources Audit
Northern Territory Dryland Salinity Assessment 1994
S J Tickell
Darwin 1994
Summary
If large areas of the Northern Territory were to be cleared for dryland agriculture it is unlikely that dryland salinity would become a major problem, as it is in southern and eastern Australia. The main reason for this is that in the higher rainfall areas of the Territory where deep rooted vegetation is abundant, salt storages in the ground are low. Thus, even if other physical and climatic conditions were favourable, the lack of salt generally precludes the development of dryland salinity.
In the more arid areas where salt storages are often high enough, deep rooted vegetation is either sparse or absent. The clearing of native vegetation would be unlikely to alter the water balance sufficiently to raise water tables to dangerously high levels.
Although the overall hazard for the Northern Territory is regarded as being relatively low, the greatest potential for dryland salinity has been identified in the inland semi-arid areas, particularly on the Sturt Plateau area. The conditions there are marginally favourable for dryland salinity and it would only be expected to develop in isolated patches. Other areas classified as having a similar hazard are scattered across the northern part of the Territory. Over the major part of the Northern Territory dryland salinity would be unlikely to occur.
This study is intended to provide an initial overview of dryland salinity hazard across the Northern Territory. It is not intended to pinpoint particular sites likely to be salinised. Recommendations are made for assessing hazards at a more local scale.
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