Drought is a natural phenomenon affecting many different aspects of life. It impacts people, animals and plants on a local, regional and national scale. It operates on a wide range of timescales from days to years. It is a complex phenomenon and it can be difficult to predict, monitor and assess.
The effects of drought can vary from region to region due to climatic differences, but they can include crop loss, water shortages, conflicts over limited resources and famine. The impacts of drought can also be exacerbated by human activities. Deforestation is one example; trees help bring rainwater to the surface and prevent soil erosion. In addition, changing farming practices such as intensive irrigation can make areas more vulnerable to drought conditions.
In general, there are three major categories of drought based on where in the water cycle the moisture deficit is occurring: meteorological, hydrological and agricultural or ecological drought. Generally, meteorological drought refers to lack of precipitation; hydrological drought refers to low runoff, streamflow and reservoir and groundwater storage; and agricultural or ecological drought refers to stress on plant production caused by evaporation and low soil moisture.
We can all do our part to reduce the impacts of drought. Being mindful of the amount of water we use can help to conserve water resources, as can using low-flow plumbing fixtures and implementing efficient appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and toilets. We can also help by planting trees and shrubs to provide shade and shelter for wildlife from the sun, by watering early in the day when less water evaporates, and by installing xeriscaping techniques around our homes.
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