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A System-based Paradigm of Drought Analysis for Operational Management

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Abstract

Conventionally droughts are studied in terms of their dimensions (severity, duration and areal extent), without specifying the affected system. The paper presents an innovative system-based approach for drought analysis, which can lead to rational decisions for combating drought. Concepts of water scarcity (drought, water shortage, aridity and desertification) are viewed within the perspective of this new approach. The paper focuses also on operational water management in the presence of drought. Starting from the needs for such management, the affected system is defined and the related quantities are identified. Also, sub-systems are considered which allow the establishment of the link between specific variables and drought. Some drought characterisation methods are particularly suited for the systemic approach. Finally drought is considered as a natural hazard phenomenon and its consequences are discussed. Each physical sub-system can be improved by a variety of measures aiming at decreasing its vulnerability towards drought, so that the drought risk is mitigated. It is concluded that the clear definition of the affected system on the spatial and temporal scales can significantly contribute to the rational management for combating drought.

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Acknowledgments

This research (GRoWaDRISK project, 2012–2016) frames within the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) programme ‘Science for Sustainable Development’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for the Assessment of Natural Hazards and Proactive Planning, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780, Zografou, Greece

    G. Tsakiris, I. Nalbantis & H. Vangelis

  2. Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    B. Verbeiren, M. Huysmans & O. Batelaan

  3. Groupe Agrométéorologie, Département des sciences et gestion de l’environnement, Université de Liège (Ulg), Avenue de Longwy 185, 6700, Arlon, Belgium

    B. Tychon & I. Jacquemin

  4. Department of Geography, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    F. Canters & S. Vanderhaegen

  5. Unit Ruimtelijke Milieuaspecten, Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium

    G. Engelen & L. Poelmans

  6. Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek (INBO), Kliniekstraat 25, 1070, Brussels, Belgium

    P. De Becker

  7. School of the Environment, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia

    O. Batelaan

Authors
  1. G. Tsakiris
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  2. I. Nalbantis
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  3. H. Vangelis
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  4. B. Verbeiren
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  5. M. Huysmans
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  6. B. Tychon
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  7. I. Jacquemin
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  8. F. Canters
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  9. S. Vanderhaegen
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  10. G. Engelen
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  11. L. Poelmans
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  12. P. De Becker
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  13. O. Batelaan
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Correspondence to G. Tsakiris.

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Tsakiris, G., Nalbantis, I., Vangelis, H. et al. A System-based Paradigm of Drought Analysis for Operational Management. Water Resour Manage 27, 5281–5297 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-013-0471-4

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