Addressing challenges and impacts due to drought with Earth Observation and geomatics

Scope and topics

Drought is one of the major hazards affecting both natural and agricultural ecosystems, and represents one of the most significant consequences of climate change. In recent years, Europe and several areas across the globe have been found to be hotspots of prolonged and severe droughts, with detrimental impacts on equitable access to potable and irrigation waters, preservation of underground and surface water bodies, deterioration of natural ecosystems (e.g. riverine, lacustrine and wetlands), crop yield productivity and soil properties.

Evidence of this worrying situation and trends is increasingly provided by Earth Observation (EO) data. Several European and global platforms – e.g. the European and Global Drought Observatories (EDO and GDO), part of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service – are operational tools and issue bulletins, maps and indices that are then used as inputs into scientific research, modelling and decision/policy-making. EO data are therefore regarded as reliable and authoritative datasets.

This is also achieved thanks to the high temporal resolution and continuity with which these data are provided, and thus allow monitoring drought at the appropriate scale. Unlike other extreme events, drought develops gradually over time and constant long-term observations are needed.

While new algorithms, indices and workflows are developed, it is becoming evident that integrated approaches are required to address all the interconnected phases composing the drought hazard/risk cycle. For instance, a prolonged reduction in precipitation initially leads to meteorological drought, which subsequently propagates through the hydrological system, reducing the availability of surface and groundwater resources (hydrological drought). Ultimately, it affects cultivated vegetation, resulting in agricultural drought, with consequent impacts on crop productivity and food security. Current research avenues are therefore focused on integrated approaches capable of describing not only each individual component but also the mechanisms through which drought propagates across the entire climate–hydrology–agriculture continuum.

This special session therefore aims to present state-of-the-art methods, algorithms, prototype products and use-case demonstrations developed through the use of EO data and geomatics. The session welcomes papers addressing one or more drought types, leveraging the combined use of multi-modal data and/or showcasing economic/societal benefits for end-users. By bringing together experts with complementary technical expertise, the session provides a forum to discuss: best practices and successful implementation; limitations of either existing EO satellites, application platforms, observatories or analytical approaches; current bottlenecks; recommendations for improvements, shared protocols and more effective workflows leading from EO observations to actions

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