Salinization and sodification are important processes of soil degradation a ecting irrigated
lands. A large proportion of the global irrigated area is a ected by some degree of soil salinity
or sodicity caused by the intensification of irrigation. The increase of the frequency of adverse
climatic conditions, like high temperatures and variations in precipitation patterns caused by climate
change, will potentially amplify these processes in arid, semi-arid, and Mediterranean areas. The use
of integrated approaches for the spatial and temporal prediction of the risk of salinization and
sodification in irrigated areas is of great value, helping in the decision-making regarding land uses and
choice of more suitable agricultural practices. In this study, based on key criteria for the assessment
of irrigation-related salinization processes (e.g., climate, topography, soil drainage, water quality for
irrigation, and crop irrigation method), we developed a methodology for the prediction of soil salinity
and sodicity risk in irrigated lands, using two composite indices, the Salinization Risk (RSA) index and
the Sodification Risk (RSO) index. The application of these indices to a real scenario (a Mediterranean
area in Southern Portugal) showed that 67% of the potentially irrigated area presented a low risk of
salinity development, 68% had a moderate risk of sodification, and 16% was of high risk of sodicity
development. Areas under moderate risk of salinization (26%) were mostly characterized by low
slopes and fine-textured soils, like Luvisols and Vertisols, with limited drainage conditions. Areas with
high risk of soil sodification presented a large incidence of low slope terrain, moderate-to-restricted
soil drainage, in high clay content Luvisols, Vertisols and Cambisols, and land use dominated by
annual crops irrigated with surface or sprinkler systems. These risk prediction tools have the potential
to be used for resource use planning by policymakers and on-farm management decision by farmers,
contributing to the sustainability of irrigated agriculture in Mediterranean regionsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio