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Abstract Detail



Biotic and abiotic stress

Sanches, Michelle [1], Meyer, Rachel [2].

Vulnerability of rice growing areas to saltwater intrusion.

Changing climate has a rippling effect on our ecosystems, both natural and manmade. Normally coastal aquifers have a layer of freshwater floating on top of dense salt water; rapid sea level rise (53 cm estimated rise from 1950-2050) compromises this top layer and can increase the salinity of the aquifer past safe drinking or irrigation levels. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, “Approximately 20% of irrigated areas are estimated to suffer from salinization problems”.This study is a comparison of two agricultural centers for rice production to evaluate the need of agricultural reform because of climate change: the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam, a major export source of Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.), and the coastal river systems from Senegal to Guinea-Bissau, an important center for African rice (O. glaberrima Steud.). GIS data layers were obtained from IRRI and other scientific agricultural communities and combined with climate and environmental geospatial data including soil types and known coastal flooding.Results allow us to project the economic impacts of crop loss due to salt water intrusion, which demonstrate that salt tolerant rice is especially important in the Mekong River Delta. It is also necessary to develop adaptive agricultural practices, many of which have long been in place in West Africa, such as later transplanting. We also hope results can aid in the implication of current developments in salt-tolerant strains of rice and in broader agricultural policy.


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Related Links:
Food and Agriculture Organization. 2005. Report of the regional workshop on salt-affected soils from sea water intrusion: strategies for rehabilitation and management.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. 2009. Climate change, sea level rise scenarios for Vietnam.


1 - New York University, Biology, 9 Quaker Road, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, USA
2 - New York University, 12 Waverly Place, New York, NY, 10003, USA

Keywords:
Climate
sea level
Agriculture
Salinity
Abiotic stress.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 7
Location: Salon 13/14/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: 7001
Abstract ID:888
Candidate for Awards:None


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