Forum geografic · 2011 · 19 citations · 2 references
Natural ResourcesHydrologyWater Resources ManagementClimatologyDryland AgricultureSoil-water RelationsArid ClimateCrop Water RequirementsCrop-water RelationsDesertificationDroughtWater Resource AssessmentArid Land HydrologyClimate Suitability AssessmentClimatic Water DeficitClimatic Water DemandCrop Water Requirement AssessmentSeasonal Water DeficitWater Availability For AgricultureWater Deficit Detection
Understanding the dryness and drought phenomena is fundamental in explaining the landscape features and the rational use of water resources in a region. The authors aim to assess the climatic water deficit (WD) in one of the most sensitive regions in Romania in terms of aridity: Southern Oltenia. Defining and characterizing the intense aridity was done based on the Thornthwaite method under a multi-annual regime (1961-2007) and during the growing season (April-October) in order to reveal the climate suitability for human activity and the optimum conditions for the main crops. In southern Oltenia the Thornthwaite aridity index values (Iar-TH) (%) defines an arid area, increasing from north to south and south-west from 40-45% to 50%. The highest values displaying a pronounced aridity (Iar-TH ≥ 50%) cover a significant part of the Blahniţa Plain, Desnaţui Plain, Southern Romanaţi Plain (Dabuleni Field), the Jiu Valley and the entire Danube Plain (about 65% of the entire surface).
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