A new method for evaluation and comprehensive drought Monitoring in the Urmia Lake Basin using a Synthesized Drought Index (SDI)

Drought is a complex phenomenon caused by the breaking of water balance and it has always an impact on agricultural, ecological and socio-economic spheres. Although the drought indices deriving from remote sensing data have been used to monitor meteorological or agricultural drought, there are no indices that can suitably reflect the comprehensive information of drought from meteorological to agricultural aspects. In this study, the synthesized drought index (SDI) as a synthesized index from the vegetation condition index (VCI), temperature condition index (TCI) and precipitation condition index (PCI) were used for comprehensive drought monitoring in the Urmia Lake Basin (ULB) based on the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). For this purpose, MOD13A3, MOD11A2 and TRMM 3B43 data series were downloaded y for the period of 2001–2012. After initial processing, drought indicators were calculated using LST NDVI and TRMM data, and monthly drought severity maps were prepared. In order to validate SDI index, the Correlation relationship between SDI and SPI indices was obtained in the 3 month period during the growing season. As well as, SDI correlation relationships were investigated with wheat and barley crop yields. The results indicate that drought occurred in 2008 and 2001 in the ULB. The results of validation show that there is a correlation of 80% between the two SDI and SPI indicators. Also, the results of this study showed that the SDI index, as a comprehensive index of drought monitoring, reflects the effects of drought on agriculture.