An evaluation of satellite-based drought indices on a regional scale |
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| Authors: | Chanyang Sur Jiwon Hur Kyoungjun Kim Woojung Choi |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea;2. Disaster Prevention Research Department, National Disaster Management Institute, Seoul, 121-179, Republic of Korea |
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| Abstract: | We compared conventional and satellite-based drought indices from drought vulnerable sites in South Korea during 2004–2013. Satellite-based drought indices, the energy-based water deficit index (EWDI), and the standalone Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-based evaporative stress index (stMOD_ESI) were evaluated using MODIS imagery to assess its capability to analyse the complex topography of the Korean peninsula. Of the drought indices examined, the EWDI and stMOD_ESI were accurate when capturing moderate drought conditions, compared to the observed precipitation-based conventional drought indices (standardized precipitation index (SPI-3) and Palmer drought severity index (PDSI)). In addition, the satellite-basedsoil moisture index (SSMI) developed from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E) and Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) soil moisture products were reasonably correlated with the EWDI and stMOD_ESI. These results suggest that the satellite-based drought indices (EWDI and stMOD_ESI) may be applicable on a regional scale. |
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