The science of saline lakes: the need for a multidisciplinary approach

Abstract

Saline lakes are widespread on all continents. Since 1979, an informal international association of salt lake researchers from a variety of disciplines has sponsored a series of triennial conferences to foster scientific exchange and our understanding of saline lakes. International Society for Salt Lake Research (ISSLR, www.isslr.org) was founded in 1994 to establish effective liaison between persons interested in any aspect of inland saline waters, to encourage these interests, and to educate the public in the scientific use, management, and conservation of salt lakes. ISSLR conferences are held triennially. The conferences are usually hosted by a local University or research institution and provide an excellent opportunity for networking among globally dispersed researchers.The 14 th International Conference on Salt Lake Research was held online during October 18-22, 2021 and hosted in Murcia, Spain. The conference was organized by the ISSLR together with the Institute of Saltscapes and Salt Heritage (IPAISAL), an Non-Governmental Organization devoted to the research and dissemination of the natural, cultural, and human values of saltscapes based in Spain. The conference was initially planned to be held in the autumn of 2020, but the travel restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic advised to postpone it * Egor ZADEREEV was financially supported by the State Assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (No.