Abstract:

Objective: Water resources and agricultural production are affected negatively by drought with the effect of increasing climate change in recent years. The objective of this study was to examine temporal and spatial distribution of the drought with Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) in Aegean Region in which is carried out a significant part of agricultural production of Türkiye. Material and Methods: Climatic values between 1975 and 2014 of 29 meteorological stations were used in throughout Aegean Region. SPEI values were obtained at different time scales (1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months) by using monthly total precipitation (P) and reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Monthly ETo values were calculated according to Penman-Monteith (FAO 56) method. Results: According to the SPEI values, severe and extreme droughts were observed in the entire Aegean Region. Especially in 1989, 1993, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012 drought events were experienced. Extreme droughts were recorded in 2007 and 2008. Thus, it has been observed that SPEI values have the potential to determine spatially drought periods on a long-time scale. While SPEI values at long time scales was produced more useful results to define uninterrupted long drought periods, on the contrary, at shorter time scales it was obtained drought events which are shorter periods and a greater number of them. Conclusion: SPEI provides important information to decision makers in planning agricultural production and water resources against the risk of drought and minimizing socio-economic impacts.