Flash Drought Mechanism and Characteristics in South Korea

Abstract

A flash drought is a drought that occurs rapidly within a short period of time, owing to changes in weather and environmental factors that occur rapidly due to extreme weather caused by climate change. Drought damage occurs within a relatively short period of time, and extreme vegetation stress can damage crops due to reduced water supply. Thus, different monitoring methods are required for different drought types. In this study, ESI (Evaporative Stress Index) and EDDI (Evaporative Demand Drought Index) were calculated to evaluate the short-term drought and determine the mechanism that causes flash droughts. The ESI and EDDI both indicates faster responses to the 2017 spring drought event than the SPI (Standardized Precipitation Index), confirming their sensitive drought assessment abilities. A flash drought detection standard was established based on the drought category used in USDM (United States Drought Monitor), and seven flash drought events were detected in South Korea over 5 years (2014-2018). A correlation analysis indicates that, among the hydrometeorological factors, the correlation coefficients between soil moisture/maximum temperature and flash drought occurrence exhibited strong positive (negative) correlations (0.9 and -0.9, respectively). The carbon change pattern obtained using GPP (Gross Primary Productivity) differed, exhibiting a -60% average GPP reduction rate compared to three other regions (JB, CN, and CB) where flash droughts occurred in 2018. We focus our discussion on opportunities to extend flash drought detection and mechanism determination using two drought indices that must be addressed to improve flash drought monitoring in South Korea.