Climate change effects on drought in Sharjah, UAE

Abstract

Drought is a natural phenomenon that occurs due to low precipitation conditions. Under the effect of climate change, frequency and magnitude of drought events are aggravated. Drought has negative effects on various fields such as agriculture, environment, ecosystems, economy and society. In this study, drought conditions in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, were assessed by monthly Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI) and Aridity Index (AI) using observed and future (projected) rainfall data. Following calculation of the index values, temporal trends were investigated using non-parametric Mann-Kendal trend test. Trend results showed mostly statistically non-significant trends in Sharjah. Only decreasing trends in March was statistically significant for observed RAI values and projected (future) RAI values derived from rainfall data using global climate models including GISS_E2_H, GISS_E2_R and MRI_CGCM3. This study is an outcome of initial stage of a comprehensive drought assessment project, and provides useful information for policymakers in Sharjah, UAE.