Abstract
This study applied the remote sensing-based drought index, namely, the Energy-Based Water Deficit Index (EWDI), across Mongolia, Australia, and Korean Peninsula for the period between 2000 and 2010. The EWDI is estimated based on the hydrometeorological variables such as evapotranspiration, soil moisture, solar radiation, and vegetation activity which are derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imageries. The estimated EWDI was compared with the Evaporative Stress Index (ESI), the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), and the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). The correlation coefficients between the drought indices are as follows: 0.73–0.76 (EWDI vs ESI), 0.64–0.71 (EWDI vs VCI), 0.54–0.64 (EWDI vs SPI-3), 0.69–0.71 (ESI vs VCI), 0.55–0.62 (ESI vs SPI-3), and 0.53–0.57 (VCI vs SPI-3). The drought prediction accuracy of each index according to error matrix analysis is as follows: 83.33–94.17% (EWDI), 70.00–91.67% (ESI), 47.50–85.00% (VCI), and 61.67–88.33% (SPI-3). Based on the results, the EWDI and ESI were found to be more accurate in capturing moderate drought conditions than the SPI at different geographical regions.
Highlights
The Energy-Based Water Deficit Index (EWDI) and Evaporative Stress Index (ESI) had markedly better results than did the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI)-3, with drought and overall accuracies ranging between 75% and
As noted by Karnieli et al [27] and Choi et al [25], the vegetation-based drought indices such as the VCI and Evapotranspiration-Based Drought Index (ESI) might be less appropriate for the time and the places where drought conditions cannot be fully represented by vegetation conditions such as dormant season and the area with high latitudes and elevations
Comparing the results of this study with those of previous studies, it can be seen that a more severe drought condition occurred during 2000 than 2001 at Anju, which is located in the western part of North Korea
Summary
Drought is considered from numerous perceptions. Firstly, meteorological drought which is usually interpreted by degree of aridness and duration of aridness and its extent, which shows anomalies, correspond to cumulative precipitation. Irdly, agriculture drought accounts for the variable susceptibility of vegetation during different statuses of vegetation development which is estimated by measuring diminution in crop yield and soil moistness as well as differences among actual and potential evapotranspiration. Due to these assorted definitions of drought as well as troublesome in estimating the precise commencement, range, level, and end of drought, substantial efforts have been utilized to delineate techniques for investigation and monitoring of drought. Several studies have presented remote sensing-based drought indices. Anderson et al [3,4,5] developed a new drought index known as “Evaporative Stress Index” (hereafter ESI). ey assessed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
