Soil Salinisation in the Grosseto Plain (Maremma, Italy): an Environmental and Socio-Economic Analysis of the Impact in the Grosseto Agro-Ecosystem

Soil salinisation jeopardises economy and landscape formed in Grosseto Plain during the last two centuries. Observed evidences show that soil salinisation is not due to climate change and rain reduction, but predominantly to the agricultural techniques of the local farms, which require large water supplies for irrigation. Water is drawn heavily from brackish water bodies too. In turn, in this coastal zone the excessive exploitation of groundwater increases the entry of salt water from the sea into the groundwater table. This research indicates alternative agricultural techniques fit to avoid soil salinisation and aimed at maintaining agricultural profitability as well as the landscape in the Grosseto Plain.