Modeling soil water and salinity dynamics in mangrove swamp rice production system of Guinea Bissau, West Africa

Mangrove swamp rice production (MSRP) is of fundamental importance for the livelihoods, food security, and nutritional well-being of coastal populations in West Africa. However, this system faces increasing challenges due to its reliance on sufficient and well-distributed rainfall to maintain feasib...

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Main Authors: Gabriel Garbanzo, Maria do Rosário Cameira, Paula Paredes, Marina Temudo, Tiago B. Ramos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Agricultural Water Management
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377425002082
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author Gabriel Garbanzo
Maria do Rosário Cameira
Paula Paredes
Marina Temudo
Tiago B. Ramos
author_facet Gabriel Garbanzo
Maria do Rosário Cameira
Paula Paredes
Marina Temudo
Tiago B. Ramos
author_sort Gabriel Garbanzo
collection DOAJ
description Mangrove swamp rice production (MSRP) is of fundamental importance for the livelihoods, food security, and nutritional well-being of coastal populations in West Africa. However, this system faces increasing challenges due to its reliance on sufficient and well-distributed rainfall to maintain feasible soil salinity levels for rice production during the growing season. This study examines the dynamics of soil water and salts using field observations collected from four different MSRP fields in Guinea-Bissau during two growing seasons, along with simulations using the HYDRUS-1D model. Several rainfall and groundwater depth scenarios were also considered to identify the key factors contributing to soil salinity at the study sites. The results helped identify the main factors influencing soil salinity during the study period and estimate the potential impacts on crop yields, with could decline by up to 60 %. Key factors influencing soil salinity included the amount and distribution of seasonal rainfall, groundwater depth, and groundwater quality. The analysis of modeled scenarios also provided insights into effective management strategies for coping with soil salinization, particularly by assessing: a) where and when more productive, long-cycle rice varieties can still be cultivated; b) where salt-tolerant rice varieties have to be chosen. Additionally, the results reinforce the need for the regular maintenance of dikes and other drainage structures to avoid brackish water entrance and guaranty minimum rice growth conditions. Future research will explore adopting this practice in field with modern water management, with the model enabling precise analysis of impact on sustainability.
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spelling doaj-art-85621f14417944169e2ae660e78a14972025-08-20T02:57:05ZengElsevierAgricultural Water Management1873-22832025-05-0131310949410.1016/j.agwat.2025.109494Modeling soil water and salinity dynamics in mangrove swamp rice production system of Guinea Bissau, West AfricaGabriel Garbanzo0Maria do Rosário Cameira1Paula Paredes2Marina Temudo3Tiago B. Ramos4Center for Crop System Analysis, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 47, Wageningen 6700 AA, the Netherlands; LEAF-Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food Research Center, Associate Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, Lisboa 1349-017, Portugal; Soil and Foliar Laboratory, Agronomic Research Center, School of Agriculture, University of Costa Rica, San José 11501–2060, Costa Rica; Corresponding author at: Center for Crop System Analysis, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 47, Wageningen 6700 AA, the Netherlands.LEAF-Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food Research Center, Associate Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, Lisboa 1349-017, PortugalLEAF-Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food Research Center, Associate Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, Lisboa 1349-017, PortugalForest Research Center (CEF), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, Lisboa 1349-017, PortugalCentro de Ciência e Tecnologia do Ambiente e do Mar (MARETEC-LARSyS), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, Lisboa 1049-001, PortugalMangrove swamp rice production (MSRP) is of fundamental importance for the livelihoods, food security, and nutritional well-being of coastal populations in West Africa. However, this system faces increasing challenges due to its reliance on sufficient and well-distributed rainfall to maintain feasible soil salinity levels for rice production during the growing season. This study examines the dynamics of soil water and salts using field observations collected from four different MSRP fields in Guinea-Bissau during two growing seasons, along with simulations using the HYDRUS-1D model. Several rainfall and groundwater depth scenarios were also considered to identify the key factors contributing to soil salinity at the study sites. The results helped identify the main factors influencing soil salinity during the study period and estimate the potential impacts on crop yields, with could decline by up to 60 %. Key factors influencing soil salinity included the amount and distribution of seasonal rainfall, groundwater depth, and groundwater quality. The analysis of modeled scenarios also provided insights into effective management strategies for coping with soil salinization, particularly by assessing: a) where and when more productive, long-cycle rice varieties can still be cultivated; b) where salt-tolerant rice varieties have to be chosen. Additionally, the results reinforce the need for the regular maintenance of dikes and other drainage structures to avoid brackish water entrance and guaranty minimum rice growth conditions. Future research will explore adopting this practice in field with modern water management, with the model enabling precise analysis of impact on sustainability.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377425002082HYDRUS-1DOptimal Growing PeriodRainfall VariabilityGroundwater DepthSalinity StressSalt-free period
spellingShingle Gabriel Garbanzo
Maria do Rosário Cameira
Paula Paredes
Marina Temudo
Tiago B. Ramos
Modeling soil water and salinity dynamics in mangrove swamp rice production system of Guinea Bissau, West Africa
Agricultural Water Management
HYDRUS-1D
Optimal Growing Period
Rainfall Variability
Groundwater Depth
Salinity Stress
Salt-free period
title Modeling soil water and salinity dynamics in mangrove swamp rice production system of Guinea Bissau, West Africa
title_full Modeling soil water and salinity dynamics in mangrove swamp rice production system of Guinea Bissau, West Africa
title_fullStr Modeling soil water and salinity dynamics in mangrove swamp rice production system of Guinea Bissau, West Africa
title_full_unstemmed Modeling soil water and salinity dynamics in mangrove swamp rice production system of Guinea Bissau, West Africa
title_short Modeling soil water and salinity dynamics in mangrove swamp rice production system of Guinea Bissau, West Africa
title_sort modeling soil water and salinity dynamics in mangrove swamp rice production system of guinea bissau west africa
topic HYDRUS-1D
Optimal Growing Period
Rainfall Variability
Groundwater Depth
Salinity Stress
Salt-free period
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377425002082
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