Analysis of relationship between meteorological and agricultural drought using standardized precipitation index and vegetation health index

Abstract

Agricultural drought is closely related to meteorological drought in which the agricultural drought is an impact of meteorological drought. This study aim to understand the duration, spatial extent, severity and lag time of meteorological and agricultural drought during El Niño years. The data used in this study are monthly data of CHIPRS and MODIS. Meteorological drought and agricultural drought are intensified in the El Niño years. The duration of meteorological drought is different in each region but generally occurs during June to November. Agricultural drought mostly occurs from August to November. Spatially, meteorological drought and agricultural drought in 2015 has wider extent and higher severity (SPI <-2 and VHI <10) than in 2002. Agricultural drought generally intensified in areas that have monsoonal rainfall type such as Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Lampung, southern part of Kalimantan, and southern part of Sulawesi. We found that VHI is significantly correlated with SPI-3 reach 58% of the total area of Indonesia. It means rainfall deficit during three months has a significant impact on agricultural drought in Indonesia. In general, SPI-3 and VHI clearly explain the relationship between meteorological drought and agricultural drought in Indonesia.