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COMPARISON OF VARIOUS DROUGHT INDICES FOR ASSESSING DROUGHT STATUS OF THE MATI RIVER BASIN, ALBANIA
Abstract
According to Albania's geographical classification, the Mati River belongs to the North Central Highlands. From a climatic perspective, this region is characterized by significant variations in temperature and precipitation due to its diverse geographical altitudes, ranging from 1800 meters above sea level to 0 meters at the estuary. Hydrographically, the Mati River basin is distinguished by a dense network of water courses, particularly in its middle and lower sections, where ultrabasic formations dominate. Additionally, the presence of various water bodies makes this basin an interesting subject for study. Besides numerous streams, the basin also contains several lakes, primarily created for hydroelectric and agricultural purposes, varying in size from medium to small. Drought is a slow-onset, creeping natural hazard and a recurrent phenomenon in the Mati watershed region. Various drought indices have been employed globally to support drought mapping and water resource management. This study examines the meteorological drought index combined with statistical methods; however, the results showed an inconsistent spatial and temporal variation. The discrepancies observed among different drought indices in detecting drought events in the study area can be minimized by incorporating multiple indices alongside the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) in drought assessments. Moreover, further investigation is needed to understand why drought detection varies across different indices. Evaluating the strengths and limitations of these drought predictors in this region will enhance our understanding of vegetation responses to drought threats and improve future drought monitoring strategies.
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