Análisis multivariado de sequías

Abstract

Abstract: Drought has a significant impact on society, with the province of Loja being particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon. This study assessed drought in the Loja and Zapotillo cantons using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) with a 1-month accumulation period. Climate data from INAMHI and GIOVANNI were utilized, revealing variability due to disparities in the series and significant differences attributed to missing data from INAMHI and the spatial resolution of GIOVANNI. Despite variations in the SPI, both regions mostly experienced normal conditions, followed by moderately dry and moderately wet conditions. The correlation between the SPI and various climatic variables showed a strong relationship with precipitation, while other variables such as runoff and soil moisture exhibited variable correlations. Emphasizing the need to improve the quality of local data, establish robust meteorological networks, and explore additional temporal scales, the study underscores the importance of detailed research on specific variables for constructing a more meaningful drought index.