Use of A MODIS Satellite-Based Aridity Index to Monitor Drought Conditions in Mongolia from 2001 to 2013

The 4D disasters (desertification, drought, dust, and dzud, a Mongolian term for severe winter weather) have recently been increasing in Mongolia, their impacts on the livelihoods of humans has likewise increased. combination drought dzud caused loss livestock which nomadic herdsmen depend well-being. Understanding spatiotemporal patterns predicting conditions are important goals scientific research Mongolia. This study involved examining trends normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) satellite-based aridity (SbAI) to determine why land surface Mongolia (2001–2013) become drier across range indices (AIs). main reasons were that maximum NDVI (NDVImax) was lower than NDVImax typically found other arid regions world, SbAI throughout year large (dry), although summer comparatively small (wet). Under current conditions, capacity retain water because rainfall is concentrated summer, grasslands reflect addition grazing pressure. We then proposed method monitor land-surface dryness or using only satellite data. correct identification higher SbAI. Drought more strongly correlated with soil moisture anomalies, thus annual averaged might be appropriate monitoring during seasons. Degraded area, defined as < 0.2 > 0.025, decreased. area major years