Evaluation of hydro-meteorological drought indices for characterizing historical droughts in the Mediterranean climate of Algeria

Achite M., Bazrafshan O., KATİPOĞLU O. M., Azhdari Z.

Natural Hazards, cilt.118, sa.1, ss.427-453, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 118 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11069-023-06012-y
  • Dergi Adı: Natural Hazards
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, IBZ Online, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Environment Index, Geobase, INSPEC, Metadex, PAIS International, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, DIALNET, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.427-453
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Drought characterization, Drought frequency, Drought index, Hydrological drought, Standardized precipitation index
  • Erzincan Binali Yıldırım Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Determining drought indices and characteristics in Algeria is crucial because droughts significantly impact water resources and agricultural production. Additionally, identifying the most suitable drought indicator for the region facilitates effective monitoring of droughts. The study’s main objective is to compare hydro-meteorological droughts, determine their distribution, and assess drought risk. Various drought indices, which are continuous functions of rainfall and other hydro-meteorological variables, are typically used for this purpose. This study calculates seven indices' effectiveness for drought monitoring and assessment in Algeria's Wadi Ouhrane basin. For this purpose, the temporal variation of drought indicators, distribution graphs, weighted Cohen's kappa (Kw), and correlation coefficient values was compared. Among the indices used in the study, four indices, namely SPI, CZI, ZSI, and MCZI, showed high similarity in their behavior. As the time scale increases from 1 to 24 months, the correlation coefficient exceeds 0.97, and Kw becomes greater than 0.57. Furthermore, there is a weak correlation (R < 0.4) between the meteorological and hydrological-based SRI indicators, and the highest correlation was found between the RDI and SRI indices. Therefore, these indices indicate that the precipitation and ET (temperature) ratio is more suitable for hydrological drought studies.