How to cite: Chelu, Al., Zaharia, L., Toroimac, I.G. (2020) Temporal and Spatial Variability of Drought Based on SPEI Analysis in Southeastern Romania. 2020 ”Air and Water – Components of the Environment” Conference Proceedings, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, p. 71-80,
DOI: 10.24193/AWC2020_07.TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF DROUGHT BASED
ON SPEI ANALYSIS IN SOUTHEASTERN ROMANIAAlexandra CHELU, Liliana ZAHARIA, Gabriela Ioana TOROIMAC
ABSTRACT. – This study investigates the drought trends and their spatial variability in southeastern Romania, based on the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) analysis (for 1, 3, 6 and 12 months), by using E-OBS precipitation and temperature gridded data between 1950-2018. Trends in the variability of SPEI are analyzed using the Mann-Kendall non-parametric test with the Theil-Sen method for slope estimation. Results show increasing wetness in autumn and dryness during the other seasons for SPEI at 3 months scale, with significant negative trends in winter at the higher altitudes in the study area and in the Danube Delta. SPEI cumulated for 6 months in September shows dryness trends over most of the study area, while SPEI for 6 months in March shows dryness trends only over the western part of the studied region. The results can be useful for designing or improving the regional adaptation practices in order to reduce the negative consequences of droughts in areas affected by drought intensification tendencies.
Keywords: drought, SPEI, trends, southeastern Romania, Sen’s slope
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