Haloengineering as a vital component of sustainable development in salt-affected ecosystems

Utilization of saline soil and water resources through saline agriculture systems, such as Haloculture, is necessary to provide the escalating demand for human food. However, despite acceptable research and commercial activities, saline agriculture systems still have not played a major role in expansion of sustainable agriculture in salt-affected regions of under-developed countries. This is mainly due to inadequate attention to the needs and potentials of human societies in salt-affected ecosystems. The objective of this paper is to introduce and describe Haloengineering as a practical solution for successful implementation of Haloculture in sustainable development of salt-affected ecosystems. Haloculture is sustainable use of the services and potentials of saline environments for manufacture of useful products. Haloculture conforms to the concepts and objectives of Water-Energy-Food Nexus, and takes into consideration the importance of providing water and energy along with promotion of food security. It is necessary to integrate the engineering tools and methods into Haloculture, referred to as Haloengineering. Haloengineering is the harmonic, interdisciplinary application of concepts, methods, and tools of all engineering fields, for improvement of living standards in salt-affected regions. By providing water and energy needs, Haloengineering would play a vital role in sustainable development of salt-affected ecosystems through Haloculture.