The world counts about 13 million ha of acid sulphate soils, for the major part located in tropical regions of Africa, South/Central America and South-East Asia.
Large areas of these soils are found in the densely populated coastal plains of Indonesia an Vietnam.

Acid sulphate soils are problem soils, because upon reclamation, the pyrite that is present within the soil oxidizes to form sulfuric acid, which leads to severe acidification and release of toxic elements.
As a result, agriculture yields in acid sulphate soil areas are low, and natural ecosystems may be seriously degraded.
Proper water management is the only way to reclaim or rehabilitate acid sulphate soil areas in a sustainable way The main objective of the reearch proposal is the development of water management strategies for ecologically sound and sustainable land-use in coastal plains with acid sulphate soils in the tropics.

This will contribute to the increase of crop yields and crop diversity, the improvement of living conditions of farmers, and the protection of valuable natural ecosystems in these areas.
The objective will be reached by developing a computer simulation model that enablec to predict the consequences of various water management options on soil and water quality in acid sulphate soil areas in coastal plains in the tropics, and the application of this model to help formulating water management strategies for sustainable development on the scale of farmers fields;

The execution of the project is divided in four phases:

1) A preparatory phase, in which avalaible data and knowledge will be inventarized, al: experiments will be planned, and one model concept will be selected;

2) A collection of field data phase, in which field sites
will be monitored in Indonesia and Vietnam, to study the relevant processes and to collect data for model validation;

3) A model development phase, in
which a computer simulation model will be developed.
This model will be able to predict effects of water management on soil and water quality, at the scale of a farmer field or a group of farmer fields.
4) A model application phase in which the developed computer model, in close cooperation with researchers, policy mekers, extension officers and farmers, will be used to develop guidelines for water management strategies for sustainable landuse in coastal plains with acid sulphate soils in the tropics.