Definition?
Drought is an extended measure of time when a particular region experiences a deficiency in its water supply. Drought occurs when the region consistently receives below average precipitation. As a drought continues, its conditions tend to gradually worsen and its impact on agriculture increases. Drought is classified in three different classes.
- Meteorological Droughts- Occurs over prolonged period with little precipitation. This type of drought usually comes before the other droughts. Most common drought found throughout the US.
- Agricultural Droughts- Droughts that negatively impact crop production or the ecology of species distribution. Traditionally, this type of drought occurs when a region undergoes an extended period of time with very little precipitation. However, this condition can also arise from a sudden change in precipitation levels with soil conditions and erosion as factors.
- Hydrological Droughts- Occurs when water reserves supplied in sources like aquifers, lakes, and reservoirs fall below average. This type of drought occurs much slower because it involves stored water that is not replenished after use. Similar to agricultural drought, it can be triggered by more than just rainfall.
Consequences
Long periods of drought can have a direct negative impact on the environment, agriculture, health, economy, and society. These consequences depend on how vulnerable the specific area is to drought. Areas with populations that depend highly on a major food source are more vulnerable to famine. Drought also depletes water quality because reduced dilution of pollutants due to a decrease in water flows increase contamination in remaining water supply.
- Abate crop growth and carrying capacity for livestock
- Dustbowls
- Duststorms
- Famine due to diminished water necessary for irrigation
- Habitat damage; aquatic & terrestrial
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Mass Migration
- Reduced production of electricity because of decreased water flow
- Water shortages for industrial users
- Social unrest
- War for natural resources
- WILDFIRES