Background Wetlands are highly productive yet fragile ecosystems. They are used as a source of water for irrigation in agriculture, leading to increased pressure on wetlands and salinisation (the accumulation of soluble salts) of wetland soils. In Mediterranean regions, wetlands are particularly vulnerable to salinisation. First, wetlands are generally located in low-lying areas, where drainage is restricted and salts concentrate in aquifers. Second, the arid to semi-arid Mediterranean climate is characterised by high evapotranspiration and low precipitation, which increases the evapo-concentration of salts. Increased water and soil salinity in coastal wetlands areas has direct effects on agriculture and on natural habitats. Effects include reductions in and changes to plant biodiversity, reductions in wetland dry biomass, and habitat loss. Objectives The LIFE AGROWETLANDS II project will test an innovative technological solution – the SMART-AGROWETLAND management system – to reduce water and soil salinisation in agricultural wetland ecosystems. The system will be applied in a pilot area located on the northern Italian Adriatic coast that is affected by a high degree of soil salinisation. The site is located near two Natura 2000 network site areas that are part of the regional Park of the Po Delta, and is also listed in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. By applying the technology, the project will contribute to the objectives of the EU Soil Thematic Strategy and the EU Water Framework Directive: preventing soil degradation, increasing the efficiency of water use, reducing the vulnerability of water resources to climate change, reducing soil salinity and protecting wetlands and the aquatic ecosystem. In the pilot area, the project will: 1. Conserve water used for irrigation and minimise salinisation of soils and water while maintaining agricultural productivity; 2. Design and implement a wireless sensor network (WSN) to control (i) the amount and salinity of irrigation and drainage waters; (ii) soil salinity and water content; and (iii) water-table depth; 3. Design and implement a web-based decision support system that automatically scans data from the WSN and provides irrigation recommendations; and 4. Demonstrate that the technology is transferable to other areas used for irrigation that are threatened by salinisation. Expected results: The LIFE AGROWETLANDS II will: Implement a decision support system for sustainable water and soil salinity management, which will help farmers and water managers adopt the most adequate irrigation plans; Lead to increased production of crops with medium-high salt tolerance; Reduce soil salinity by 20%, reaching a range adequate for the conservation of wetland habitats; Reduce by 15% the amount of water used for crop production; Reduce by 30% the costs of acquisition and operation of sensors; and Scale up water management to irrigation sectors, taking into account water quality and the impact on the surrounding environment, and resulting in a 20% reduction in the related water footprint.