Australia's National Dryland Salinity Program is a collaborative research and development effort that is investigating the causes of, and solutions to, the national problem of dryland salinity.

The first five-year phase of the program was completed in 1998. It focussed on improving our understanding of the causes of dryland salinity and on establishing a collaborative national focus on the R&D effort.

A larger, second five-year phase is now underway (1998 - 2003). This phase is continuing to identify and research the knowledge gaps in our understanding of the causes and impacts of dryland salinity. It is also investigating socio-economic arrangements that encourage or impede appropriate management of salinity, new production options using saline resources and management of saline landscapes.

The program has identified four objectives required to meet its goal which is to research, develop and extend practical approaches to effectively manage dryland salinity across Australia.

http://www.ndsp.gov.au/