Salinization of Agricultural Land In Coastal Delaware: Assessing Key Factors and Management Implications

• Hazel Helm, Environmental and Resource Economics, University of Delaware

• Leah Palm-Forster, Applied Economics and Statistic, University of Delaware

The Mid-Atlantic is experiencing sea level rise at rates more than twice the global average, putting Delaware at risk for saltwater intrusion and the resulting salt patches that can negatively affect production of agricultural crops. 43% of Delaware’s land is used for agriculture as of 2019, and with 62,450 acres of that farmland less than 5 meters above sea level, understanding the relationship between agriculture and saltwater intrusion is key to improving farm management practices under increased stress from sea level rise. With 53.7% of identified salt patch area within 5 kilometers of coastal brackish marshes – a region which contains 38.8% of active agricultural fields – understanding the interdependent relationship between relevant agricultural land characteristics and the presence of visible salt on a field level is necessary to determine the potential impact on agricultural production in Delaware. In this project, we analyze how characteristics of coastal agricultural fields, including human hydraulic activity, soil, and land characteristics, are associated with the presence of salt patches, allowing these relationships to vary across hydraulic catchment areas. Additionally, we examine the likely geographic scale and economic impacts of salinization on Delaware’s coastal agricultural landscape.