Temporal analysis of meteorological drought in semi-arid areas of Venezuela

Abstract

Drought is one of the most important environmental research topics of the world, mainly in developing countries with arid and semi-arid areas. The purpose of this research was to characterize meteorological drought in one of the driest natural regions of Venezuela, using rainfall information of four seasons of the agro-meteorological network of the National Institute of Agricultural Research (NIAR), located in the States of Lara and Yaracuy, through the Standardized Rainfall Index (SRI), which led to identify and describe this phenomenon, establishing its initiation, intensity, duration, magnitude and frequency. According to reported SPI figures, the phenomenon of meteorological drought shows temporal variations of intensity and magnitude.  The most important maximum magnitudes were those registered in Quibor, in 2001 with 11,29 and El Cuji in 2005, with a figure of 11,18.  Results reported herein will serve as information basis for planning guided by the National Plan Organization of the Territory, aimed at defining and implement strategies, turning them into the central element of the development process, thus contributing to reduce vulnerability of agricultural communities of this region.