Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2726
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2726
19 Sep 2024
 | 19 Sep 2024
Status: this preprint is open for discussion.

Sectoral Vulnerability to Drought: Exploring the Role of Blue and Green Water Dependency in Mid and High-Latitudes

Elin Stenfors, Malgorzata Blicharska, Thomas Grabs, and Claudia Teutschbein

Abstract. The European continent has experienced several large-scale drought events in recent years, and climate projections suggest an increasing drought risk in many parts of the world. As droughts can have large impacts on socio-hydrological systems, analyzing drought risk is an important part for proactive drought risk management and disaster risk reduction. Drought risk can be expressed as a product of hazard, exposure and vulnerability, where vulnerability is highly contextual and complex. As droughts can affect all parts of the hydrological system, from precipitation and soil moisture to groundwater and surface water reservoirs, drought vulnerability differs depending on what part of the system is studied. Building on previous results from a survey analyzing drought vulnerability across seven water-dependent sectors, this paper explores how vulnerability factors vary based on sectors’ dependency on blue water (surface and subsurface freshwater) or green water (soil moisture) in mid and high latitude regions. The findings reveal that drought vulnerability differs based on water type dependency, especially concerning water supply and species characteristics. Perceptions of vulnerability factors vary in number, category, and overall ranking, highlighting the importance of considering water dependency when choosing vulnerability factors for drought risk assessments and to clearly define the drought hazard types involved. 

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Elin Stenfors, Malgorzata Blicharska, Thomas Grabs, and Claudia Teutschbein

Status: open (extended)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2726', Mirela-Adriana Anghelache, 28 Nov 2024 reply
Elin Stenfors, Malgorzata Blicharska, Thomas Grabs, and Claudia Teutschbein
Elin Stenfors, Malgorzata Blicharska, Thomas Grabs, and Claudia Teutschbein

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Short summary
Utilizing a survey including respondents from seven societal sectors, the role of water dependency for drought vulnerability was explored. Differences were found in the perceived impact of vulnerability factors on drought risk in relation to water dependency (i.e., dependency on either soil moisture, or groundwater and surface water). The results highlight the importance of accounting for water dependency, and to clearly define the drought hazard, in drought vulnerability or risk assessments.