Increasing drought trend in China under climate warming

Abstract:

Several recently published studies have researched how drought is changing under climate change. We use the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and water balance (precipitation minus evapotranspiration, P-ET) through 1982 to 2009 to study the drought conditions in China. The results showed that the anomaly PDSI and P-ET values all showed significant decreased trend. The areas of drought in China have increased from 1982 to 2009. Almost 75% of China showed decreased trend especially in southern China and the northwest China become wetter. The precipitation, evapotranspiration and temperature led to this condition comprehensively. Temperature exerts a growing influence on drought and the effects of precipitation become weaker. The drought may cause the positive feedback for the decreased precipitation, increased evapotranspiration and increased temperature. We should make policy based on this condition to enhance the sustainable use of water resources, particularly for agricultural development and slow down this feedback.