Which regions contain most of the world's salt-degraded cropland?

The majority of the world's salt-degraded cropland is concentrated in two primary regions: Asia, which accounts for 75 percent of the global total, and southwestern North America, which accounts for 15 percent.1

Within these regions, the accumulation of salts is a significant driver of desertification in irrigated croplands. This process occurs because irrigation water, unlike rainwater, contains dissolved salts that remain in the soil as the water evaporates or is transpired by plants. Without adequate drainage or flushing, these salts accumulate to levels that inhibit plant growth and can eventually render the land barren.21

Specific areas facing severe impacts include:
* Iraq: Has experienced the loss of over 70 percent of its irrigated land due to salt accumulation.1
* Russia: Significant portions of irrigated land near the Volga River and Caspian Sea are at risk of becoming unusable.1
* United States: Salt accumulation has negatively affected crop yields across more than 50,000 square km (19,000 square miles).1

Other areas with extensive salt-affected soils include Pakistan, the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain.2