Earth Sciences

Global distribution, trends, and drivers of flash drought occurrence

J. I. Christian, J. B. Basara, et al.

This study unveils critical global hotspots for flash drought, a phenomenon with swift intensification affecting agriculture and ecosystems. Conducted by a team of experts including Jordan I. Christian and Jeffrey B. Basara, the research highlights alarming trends in drought frequency across key regions like Brazil, the Sahel, and India, sparking conversations about future agricultural resilience and socioeconomic impacts.

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Abstract

Flash drought, characterized by rapid intensification, significantly impacts agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems. This study identifies global flash drought hotspots (1980–2015) using evaporative stress anomalies and the standardized evaporative stress ratio (SESR). Hotspots were found in Brazil, the Sahel, the Great Rift Valley, and India, with additional localized hotspots in the central US, southwestern Russia, and northeastern China. Six of fifteen study regions showed a significant increase in flash drought frequency, while three showed a decrease. The study highlights the need for further research into regional drivers and the complex interaction between flash drought and socioeconomic impacts.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Nov 03, 2021

Authors

Jordan I. Christian, Jeffrey B. Basara, Eric D. Hunt, Jason A. Otkin, Jason C. Furtado, Vimal Mishra, Xiangming Xiao, Robb M. Randall

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