Shen et al. (2025) Spatiotemporal characteristics of meteorological and hydrological droughts across Europe

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Identification

• Journal: Geomatics Natural Hazards and Risk
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-10-07
• Authors: Shen Shen, Meng Ting Niu, Shengqi Jian, Xueli Zhang
• DOI: 10.1080/19475705.2025.2567413

Research Groups

Not specified in the provided text.

Short Summary

This study analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamics of meteorological and hydrological droughts across Europe from 1970 to 2024, revealing stronger intensification and persistence of hydrological droughts, particularly in Western, Eastern, and Southern Europe, and a divergence between drought types at shorter timescales.

Objective

• To assess the spatiotemporal dynamics and evolution of meteorological and hydrological droughts across Europe using multiple indices and analytical methods, and to advance understanding of drought evolution and underlying climate mechanisms.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Europe, with specific focus on Western, Eastern, and Southern Europe. Hydrological droughts affected approximately 7.0 × 10⁶ km².
• Temporal Scale: 1970–2024 (55 years). Drought indices were assessed at 3-, 6-, and 12-month scales.

Methodology and Data

• Models used:
  • Drought Indices: Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), Standardized Runoff Index (SRI), Reconnaissance Drought Index (RZI).
  • Analytical Methods: Mann–Kendall trend analysis, Hurst exponent persistence assessment, mutation test for abrupt change detection, Fragstats for spatial pattern metrics, inter-index correlation.
• Data sources: ERA5 reanalysis data.

Main Results

• Hydrological droughts (SRI, RZI) exhibited stronger trends and persistence compared to meteorological droughts (SPI, SPEI).
• Significant drought intensification was observed in Western, Eastern, and Southern Europe, with SRI and RZI affecting nearly 7.0 × 10⁶ km².
• Abrupt change breakpoints were detected in 1974 for meteorological indices and in 1993–1994 for hydrological indices.
• Landscape analysis indicated an increase in patch numbers, higher spatial complexity, and aggregation of drought patterns, particularly for hydrological indices.
• Inter-index correlations were high at the 12-month scale (absolute R > 0.6) but declined to approximately 0.3 at the 3-month scale, revealing a divergence between meteorological and hydrological droughts at shorter timescales.

Contributions

• Advances the understanding of drought evolution and underlying climate mechanisms across Europe.
• Provides scientific support for improved drought monitoring, early warning systems, and adaptive water management strategies in Europe.

Funding

Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Shen2025Spatiotemporal,
  author = {Shen, Shen and Niu, Meng Ting and Jian, Shengqi and Zhang, Xueli},
  title = {Spatiotemporal characteristics of meteorological and hydrological droughts across Europe},
  journal = {Geomatics Natural Hazards and Risk},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1080/19475705.2025.2567413},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2025.2567413}
}