Hydrogeological Drought; Identifying the Problem to Minimize the Impact

Ewa Krogulec
University of Warsaw

Abstract

Drought is one of the biggest problems and threats facing the world today, with multifaceted causes and impacts. Drought not only affects the planet's natural resources, water management, food production sectors and many industries, but also the level of socio-economic development. Legal, environmental, natural and even anthropological definitions of drought do not resolve whether drought is a natural or anthropogenic phenomenon; whether it is already an adverse phenomenon or a disaster? Most often, drought is treated as a natural, regional phenomenon, manifesting itself as a temporary reduction in water availability. Hydrogeological drought is the last phase of drought development, it occurs as a consequence of hydrological drought and is the most dangerous for the environment. Minimizing the effects of drought necessitates changes, both in water consumption by consumers and in industry, agricultural and forestry production. The effects of drought influencing on investment, land use, infrastructural development and even more broadly the economy, agriculture and forestry. The problem of drought, especially hydrogeological drought, should influence the optimization of water management, it makes it necessary for the environment and the economy to adapt to the use of less water. The phenomenon of drought is slow, even evolutionary, which contributes to stretching its negative effects over time and space. Depending on the level of development of a country's society and economy, the negative effects of drought are felt in varying degrees of intensity. In order to reduce the effects of hydrogeological drought, it is necessary to define the problem, identify research methods, define an action model and implement a remedial programme in dependence.

Presentation