Alnahit (2026) Drought dynamics and climate change in arid regions: Trends, impacts, and adaptation

Identification

• Journal: Elsevier eBooks
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-01
• Authors: Ali O. Alnahit
• DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-443-44625-2.00009-6

Research Groups

Department of Civil Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Short Summary

This chapter reviews drought dynamics in arid regions, utilizing the global SPEI dataset (1901–2023) and case studies to reveal a shift from alternating wet/dry phases to persistent, severe drought since the late 20th century, with increasing aridity probabilities under warming.

Objective

• To provide an overview of arid region classifications, the function, advantages, and disadvantages of various drought indices (SPI, PDSI, SPEI), and to analyze long-term trends in drought variability using the global SPEI dataset with case studies from arid and semi-arid regions, assessing climate change impacts and adaptation strategies.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Global (for SPEI dataset), with specific case studies in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, North America (Nevada), and Australia.
• Temporal Scale: 1901–2023 (123 years).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Standardized Precipitation–Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI).
• Data sources: Global SPEI base dataset (1901–2023).

Main Results

• Arid regions globally have experienced a shift from early-century alternation between wet and dry phases to persistent, more severe drought since the late 20th century, characterized by occasional multiyear dry spells.
• Decadal probabilities of dry months have increased across all studied regions, exceeding 0.8 in Saudi Arabia, indicating intensifying aridity under warming climate scenarios.
• Arid areas are becoming increasingly vulnerable to warming scenarios, necessitating robust adaptation strategies and integrated water resource management.

Contributions

• Provides a comprehensive review of arid region classifications and the utility, advantages, and disadvantages of key drought indices (SPI, PDSI, SPEI).
• Utilizes a long-term global SPEI dataset (1901–2023) to analyze and demonstrate a significant shift in drought patterns in arid and semi-arid regions towards increased severity and persistence since the late 20th century.
• Highlights the intensifying aridity and vulnerability of these regions to climate change, offering a foundation for discussing adaptation strategies and future research directions.

Funding

• Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Alnahit2026Drought,
  author = {Alnahit, Ali O.},
  title = {Drought dynamics and climate change in arid regions: Trends, impacts, and adaptation},
  journal = {Elsevier eBooks},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/b978-0-443-44625-2.00009-6},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-44625-2.00009-6}
}