Linking Long-Term Changes in Soil Salinity to Paddy Land Abandonment in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

Soil salinity is a serious threat to coastal agriculture and has resulted in significant reduction agricultural output many regions. Jaffna Peninsula, semi-arid region located the northern-most part of Sri Lanka, also victim adverse effects salinity. This study investigated long-term soil changes their link with land use changes, especially paddy land. Two Landsat images from 1988 2019 were used map distribution changes. Another set was analyzed at four temporal periods abandoned lands. A comparison lands showed that had significantly higher than active lands, confirming increasing salts owing high levels sea water intrusion soils, as well wells for irrigation, could be major drivers degradation The results there dramatic increase (1.4-fold) lowlands Peninsula. 64.6% salinity-affected identified being extreme saline category. In addition reducing net arable salinization implications food security livelihoods farmers, potentially impacting regional national economy.