The prevalent life cycle of agricultural flash droughts

• Published in: NPJ climate and atmospheric science Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 73 - 11
• Main Authors: Lovino, Miguel A., Pierrestegui, M. Josefina, Müller, Omar V., Müller, Gabriela V., Berbery, Ernesto H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group 19.03.2024; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: Atmospheric sciences; Crops; Depletion; Drought; Energy limitation; Evapotranspiration; Field capacity; Life cycles; Moisture content; Precipitation; Soil moisture; Soil properties; Soil water; Vegetation; Water availability; Water stress; Wilting; Wilting point
• ISSN: 2397-3722; 2397-3722
• DOI: 10.1038/s41612-024-00618-0

Abstract This work examines the characteristics and prevalent life cycle of agricultural flash droughts globally. Using ERA5 data, the study introduces a flash drought indicator based on soil water availability. This approach integrates root-zone soil moisture and hydraulic soil properties, such as field capacity and wilting point, to couple the rapid soil moisture depletion and plant water stress. Our findings reveal that agricultural flash droughts present their higher frequency predominantly during the critical growth periods of crops. Notably, these droughts exhibit a similar life cycle regardless of the location or climatic regime. The primary cause of the rapid soil moisture depletion is the precipitation deficit, but evapotranspiration also plays a significant role. In an energy-limited environment, evapotranspiration rapidly increases before the onset and decreases rapidly during the intensification period as the system becomes water-limited. Upon concluding the intensification period, most crops experience water stress, diminishing their yields.