Soil Salinization Quiz

What is causing salt to build up in soils around the world?

• Excessive use of fertilizers

• Irrigation, drought, sea level rise

• Deforestation

• Industrial pollution

Where is Thi Tran, a farmer struggling with salinization, located?

• Mekong River delta

• Amazon rainforest

• Arctic tundra

• Sahara desert

What is the major factor reducing plant growth and productivity worldwide?

• Overuse of pesticides

• Deforestation

• Salinization

• Air pollution

How much of the world's irrigated farmland is affected by salinization?

• 40%

• 30%

• 20%

• 10%

What is the estimated annual cost of salt-induced land degradation in irrigated areas?

• US$10 billion

• US$20 billion

• US$30 billion

• US$27.3 billion

Which region has about 50 million acres of irrigated land affected by salinization?

• Amazon rainforest

• Arctic tundra

• Ganges basin

• Sahara desert

What was responsible for the decline of ancient Mesopotamian civilization 4,000 years ago?

• Salinization

• Overuse of pesticides

• Deforestation

• Air pollution

What is one of the worst-hit areas by salinization in the U.S.?

• Great Plains

• Mississippi River delta

• Appalachian Mountains

• Colorado River basin

What is the likely effect of rising sea levels on Bangladeshi coasts?

• Decreased salinization

• Increased freshwater supply

• Improved crop productivity

• Forced migration of farmers

What is one of the solutions to reverse soil salinity?

• Increase use of fertilizers

• Capture and treat salty drainage water

• Deforestation

• Industrial pollution