Use of a MODIS satellite-based aridity index to monitor drought conditions in the Pearl River basin from 2001 to 2021

Abstract

In recent decades, global climate change has made natural hazards increasingly prevalent. Droughts, as a common natural hazard, have been a hot study topic for years. Most studies conducted drought monitoring in arid and semi-arid regions. In humid and sub-humid regions, due to climate change, seasonal droughts and seasonal water shortages were often observed too, but have not been well studied. This study, using a MODIS satellite-based aridity index (SbAI), investigated spatiotemporal changes in drought conditions in the subtropical Pearl River Basin. The study results indicated that the inter-annual SbAI exhibited a significant decreasing trend, illustrating a wetter trend observed in the basin in the past two decades. The decreasing trend in the SbAI was statistically significant in the dry season, but not in the monsoon season. The drought conditions displayed an insignificant expansion in the monsoon season, but exhibited statistically significant shrinking in the dry season. The Pearl River Basin has become wetter over past two decades, probably due to the results of natural impacts and human activities. The areas with increased drought conditions are more likely impacted by human activities such as water withdrawal for irrigation and industrial uses, and fast urbanization and increased impervious surfaces and resultant reduction in water storage capacity. This study provided a valuable reference for drought assessment across the Pearl River Basin.