Why did soil salinization become a problem in parts of the Western Australian Wheatbelt?

Soil salinization in the Western Australian Wheatbelt is primarily a consequence of large-scale land clearing for agricultural development.12

Historically, the Yilgarn plateau featured deep, weathered soils that supported indigenous vegetation. When this native vegetation was removed to make way for crops, the natural water balance of the landscape was disrupted. This process led to the accumulation of excessive concentrations of soluble salts, predominantly sodium chloride, within the soil profile.1

As a result of this salt buildup, significant portions of previously productive land can no longer support crops. Furthermore, this environmental degradation has affected the region's hydrology, rendering virtually all local streams and rivers saline and unfit for human consumption.12