Zhang et al. (2025) Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Drought Propagation in the Loess Plateau: A Geomorphological Perspective

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Water
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-08-19
• Authors: Yu Zhang, Hongbo Zhang, Zhaoxia Ye, Jingya Lyu, Huan Ma, Xuedi Zhang
• DOI: 10.3390/w17162447

Research Groups

Not specified

Short Summary

This study analyzes the spatiotemporal characteristics and driving mechanisms of drought propagation from meteorological to agricultural drought in the Loess Plateau. It identifies significant seasonal and geomorphological variations in propagation lags and rates, driven primarily by precipitation, soil moisture, and temperature.

Objective

• To examine the spatiotemporal characteristics and driving mechanisms of drought propagation from meteorological to agricultural drought in the Loess Plateau.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Loess Plateau (categorized by geomorphological divisions: loess wide valley hills, loess beam hills, loess tableland, and soil–stone hills).
• Temporal Scale: 3-month scale analysis.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), Standardized Soil Moisture Index (SSMI), cross-wavelet analysis, grey relational analysis, and the optimal parameter-based geographical detector (OPGD) model.
• Data sources: Not explicitly stated (implied precipitation, temperature, and soil moisture data).

Main Results

• Seasonal Correlation: High correlation between meteorological and agricultural droughts during spring, summer, and autumn (wavelet coherence > 0.8, p < 0.05).
• Propagation Lag: Temporal delay generally ranges from 1 to 3 months; the shortest lag occurs in spring (average 1.2 months) and the longest in winter (average 3.1 months).
• Spatial Heterogeneity: Propagation rates are highest in loess wide valley hills (0.64) and loess beam hills (0.59), and lower in loess tableland and soil–stone hills (~0.50).
• Driving Factors: Precipitation, soil moisture, and temperature are the primary drivers, exhibiting synergistic enhancement effects.

Contributions

• Quantifies the seasonal and geomorphological heterogeneity of drought propagation in the Loess Plateau.
• Provides a scientific basis for region-specific early drought warnings, agricultural risk assessments, and water security strategies.

Funding

Not specified

Citation

@article{Zhang2025Spatiotemporal,
  author = {Zhang, Yu and Zhang, Hongbo and Ye, Zhaoxia and Lyu, Jingya and Ma, Huan and Zhang, Xuedi},
  title = {Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Drought Propagation in the Loess Plateau: A Geomorphological Perspective},
  journal = {Water},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.3390/w17162447},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/w17162447}
}