This study focuses on the characterization of historical drought occurrences in the Horné Požitavie region of Slovakia over the period 1966–2013 using Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Trend analyses were evaluated by the Mann–Kendall (MK) test as well as cumulative sum of rank difference (CRD) test. The results showed that drought occurs in the region regularly (recurrent climate feature), while the trend analysis indicated the trend toward more arid climatic conditions. However, CRD trend analyses showed that the subtrend changed direction toward less drier conditions in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Analyses of SPEI trends in individual months showed a decreasing trend of drought occurrences during the cold months of the year (i.e., October to March), while an increasing trend was indicated from April to August. The evaluation of the impact of drought on agricultural production based on the oilseed rape yield indicated that drought represents a significant natural risk for the agrarian sector of the region. In addition, August value of the SPEI for six months was evaluated as a good indicator of drought impacts on agriculture. The trend analyses revealed no significant increase of drought impacts on agricultural production within the studied period.
The work presents the result of the drought impact on the onset and the development of autumn phenological phases of tree species (Quercus robur L., Carpinus betulus L., Prunus avium L.) in the central part of Slovakia. The selected autumn phenological phases of tree species were observed in the years from 2011 to 2015. From meteorological parameters we examined precipitation, number of tropical days, and their periods from June to August. We revealed distinct differences in air temperature and precipitation between the years, which affected the onset of individual phenological phases. Based on the calculations of the Thornthwaite moisture index and climatic water balance, the year 2014 was wet (except for June) with the shortest periods of tropical days. The extreme drought and the longest 13-day period of tropical days in the year 2015 shifted leaf colouring of hornbeam and cherry tree by 16 and 22 days earlier and the leaf fall by 5 and 16 days earlier than the average of the period from 2011 to 2015. Oak was the least sensitive to the weather extremes, which was documented by a balanced course of the phenological phases with the lowest variation. The 5-year-long average onset of the autumn phenophases of oak and hornbeam was shifted by 1 -4 days later and of cherry tree by 4 days earlier than the 25-year-long average.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.