Universal Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 11(6), pp. 1173 - 1196
DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2023.110625
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Monitoring Rainfall Variability to Assess Drought Occurrence Using SPI and Aridity Between 1990 and 2020 in Benghazi and Surrounding Regions, Libya

Hanan Ali Alrteimei ¹, Zulfa Hanan Ash'aari ^1,*, Farrah Melissa Muharam ², Nurulhuda Khairudin ^3
1 Department of Environment, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
² Department of Agriculture Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
³ Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

Understanding and managing water resources requires SPI and aridity AI and DM indices to monitor variability and drought assessment for 31 years from 1990 until 2020. Four Libyan regions were selected: Benghazi (BG: 7 stations), Darnah (DA: 7 stations), Al Jabal Al Akhdar (JK: 4 stations), and Al Marj (MA: 3 stations). The four regions are between 20.25 E and 22.75 E and 31.25 N and 32.75 N. The study estimates rainfall trends using Mann-Kendall, SPI using McKee standardization, and aridity using UNEP (AI) and De Martonne (MD). The heavy rainfall started in November and ended in February. The rainfall trend of all regions is similar to the rainfall records between 1999 and 2000, 2002 and 2005, and 2012 and 2017. The results showed that rainfall and aridity correlated with SPI have reasonable R2 values ranging from 31.1% to 73.9% and 78.2% to 84.4% for aridity correlation. The rainfall trend is decreasing according to Kendall Tau's parameter, showing regular drought incidents at about 80%. The significance of the study lies in providing valuable insights into drought patterns and water availability. Future benefits include better agricultural planning, understanding environmental impacts, and reducing disaster risk. This information enables timely decision-making, proactive measures, and reasonable resource allocation to mitigate the impacts of drought and promote sustainable development in the region. Continuous monitoring and analysis of rainfall variability are essential for ensuring water security, preserving ecosystems, and enhancing the resilience of communities in the face of changing climatic conditions.

KEYWORDS
Rainfall, SPI, DM indices, Mann-Kendall, Kendall, Trend Analysis

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Hanan Ali Alrteimei , Zulfa Hanan Ash'aari , Farrah Melissa Muharam , Nurulhuda Khairudin , "Monitoring Rainfall Variability to Assess Drought Occurrence Using SPI and Aridity Between 1990 and 2020 in Benghazi and Surrounding Regions, Libya," Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 11, No. 6, pp. 1173 - 1196, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2023.110625.

(b). APA Format:
Hanan Ali Alrteimei , Zulfa Hanan Ash'aari , Farrah Melissa Muharam , Nurulhuda Khairudin (2023). Monitoring Rainfall Variability to Assess Drought Occurrence Using SPI and Aridity Between 1990 and 2020 in Benghazi and Surrounding Regions, Libya. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(6), 1173 - 1196. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2023.110625.