Dutch farmer Hubrecht Janse faced challenges due to increased salinity in his fields after a sluice gate was installed to manage algae blooms in Lake Veere. This salinity poses significant threats to traditional crops, which struggle in high salt concentrations. To combat this, Janse began cultivating halophytes, such as salicornia, which thrive in salty conditions. Over the years, he diversified his farm's produce to include other halophytes like ice plant and sea fennel, showcasing a resilient adaptation to agricultural changes brought about by climate impacts.
Janse wondered whether he could cultivate salicornia, a halophyte type of plant that's native to salty environments, which could withstand the increasing salinity in his fields.
The connection with the sea would make the lake saltier, and for us, Janse says, that was a problem.
Salinity has been an enemy of agriculture for millennia... even though many crops can withstand low to moderate salt concentrations, high levels can reduce their yield or destroy them.
Today the farm also produces ice plant, sea lavender and sea fennel—all halophytes—in addition to more traditional vegetables, adapting to changing conditions.
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