Biosaline agroforestry: remediation of saline wastelands through the production of biosaline biomass (for bioenergy, fodder and biomaterials)

Objective

Increasing salinity is more than a threat to agricultural production alone. It contributes to desertification, disrupts socio-economic structures, causes rural exodus. Biosaline agro-forestry applies innovative approaches to salinity, using the qualities o f salt tolerant species combined with improved soil- and water management practices. Research on this subject is by far not complete and the potentials of biosaline agriculture and forestry are insufficiently investigated.

The overall objective of the B IOSAFOR project is twofold:
1. To contribute to the development of biosaline agro-forestry systems for various saline environments (local/regional approach) and parallel to that
2. To explore the potentials and options for biomass production in saline environments (globally)

More specific objectives are:
- To indicate the special role of biosaline agro-forestry for degraded areas with saline soils and/or areas with brackish water resources
- To contribute to the regeneration of saline wastelands
- To select and screen tree species for the production of biomass in specific saline environments
- To develop agro-forestry systems for biomass production in different kind of saline environments
- To assess the economic and environmental performance of selected b iosaline agro-forestry production systems
- To estimate the amount of biomass that can globally be produced in saline environments
- To assess the potential contribution of biomass from saline environments to a sustainable biomass, respectively biofuel and biomaterial supply in DEV countries and the EU
- To disseminate the results to relevant gremia (decision makers, politicians) in the EU and to organizations dealing with salinity globally especially the biosaline networks.

Field of science

• /social sciences/economics and business/economics/production economics/productivity
• /natural sciences/earth and related environmental sciences/hydrology
• /engineering and technology/environmental engineering/natural resource management/water management
• /agricultural sciences/agriculture, forestry, and fisheries/forestry
• /agricultural sciences/agricultural biotechnology/biomass
• /natural sciences/earth and related environmental sciences/physical geography/cartography/geographic information systems
• /agricultural sciences/agriculture, forestry, and fisheries/agriculture/industrial crops/fodder
• /engineering and technology/industrial biotechnology/biomaterials

Programme(s)

• FP6-INCO - Specific measures in support of international cooperation: Specific activities covering wider field of research under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006.

Topic(s)

• INCO-2002-A2.3 - Managing arid and semi-arid ecosystems

Call for proposal

FP6-2004-INCO-DEV-3
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project

Coordinator

OASE FOUNDATION, ORGANISATION FOR AGRICULTURE IN SALINE ENVIRONMENTS

Address

Prins Hendriklaan 15
Amsterdam
Netherlands

Participants (8)

UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT

Netherlands

Address

Heidelberglaan 8
Utrecht

INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR BIOSALINE AGRICULTURE

United Arab Emirates

Address

Al-ruwayya, Dubai-al Ain Highway
Dubai

BANGLADESH AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Bangladesh

Address

Joydebpur
Gazipur

PAKISTAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

Pakistan

Address

Parc, G-5/1
Islamabad

ACACIA INSTITUTE

Netherlands

Address

De Boelelaan 1085
Amsterdam

CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION Y TECNOLOGIA AGROALIMENTARIA DE ARAGON / DIPUTACION GENERAL DE ARAG0N

Spain

Address

Avda. Montanana 930
50059-Zaragoza

UNIVERSITAET HOHENHEIM

Germany

Address

Schloss
Stuttgart

CENTRAL SOIL SALINITY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (ICAR DARE)

India

Address

Cssri, Zarifa Farm, Kachhwa Road
Karnal