Changes of the aridity index in Europe from 1950 to 2019

0565498 - ÚFA 2024 RIV AT eng J - Journal Article
Bešťáková, Zuzana - Strnad, F. - Godoy, M.R.V. - Singh, U. - Markonis, Y. - Hanel, M. - Máca, P. - Kyselý, Jan
Changes of the aridity index in Europe from 1950 to 2019.
Theoretical and Applied Climatology. Roč. 151, 1-2 (2023), s. 587-601. ISSN 0177-798X. E-ISSN 1434-4483
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA20-28560S
Institutional support: RVO:68378289
Keywords : Aridity index * Budyko curve * Potential evapotranspiration * Precipitation * Drought * Europe
OECD category: Meteorology and atmospheric sciences
Impact factor: 3.4, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00704-022-04266-3

The aridity index, also known as the Budyko index, describes spatiotemporal changes in the hydroclimatic system in the long-term perspective. Defined as the ratio between potential evapotranspiration and precipitation, it can be used to determine wet (humid) and dry (arid) regions. In this study, we evaluated the aridity index estimated in different temporal scales, investigated its spatial patterns, and highlighted the long-term changes in Europe using three gridded data sets (CRU, E-OBS, and ERA5). A significant dry region expansion is evident in all data sets since the late 1980s. The extent of the dry regions has increased in Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, especially at low and medium altitudes. The results show the long-term development of the European hydroclimatic system and which areas have changed from wet to dry.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0337033