Structure, function and management of the biological system for seasonal solar saltworks

The structure and function of communities and biological systems favorable and unfavorable to salt
production in the ponds of solar saltworks are described. Favorable systems maintain a diverse biota
and power the organisms at levels that enable a saltworks to economically and continuously produce
high quality salt at design capacity. Unfavorable systems-the result of disturbances and high concentrations
of nutrients in the water-are dominated by a few species that release massive quantities of
organic substances, decrease pond surface areas and volumes, and decrease salt quality and quantity.
Management practices to obtain and maintain favorable systems under a variety of conditions are
reviewed.