Review of the research and scientific understanding of drought: summary
Published 28 November 2023
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1. Chief Scientist’s Group summary
This project conducted a review of the current scientific knowledge about drought in the UK, including how it may alter due to climate change, and what the implications are for both the catchment environment and the way we manage water resources, now and in the future.
1.1 Background
Droughts are complex events that can vary in duration, time of year, location, and severity. These differences can cause different impacts on the environment, farming and water supply. Droughts are infrequent, which means there is only limited data and experience of them. This is further complicated by uncertainty in how climate change may impact drought. Consequently, the current understanding of drought and ability to manage or respond to it, is limited. Increased knowledge would improve this. We led a review of the state of the research and the current scientific understanding of drought.
1.2 Approach
The review focussed on three themes; the physical processes that drive droughts, the impacts of droughts and the management of droughts. Each theme was further divided into separate topics, and a review was undertaken of each by an expert in that topic, for example rainfall within physical processes and ecology within impacts. We worked with over 40 academics from 13 different universities, research institutes, and consultancies. Authors were asked to review the existing literature and objectively comment on what is known and not known about drought for their specialist topics. A workshop was held to share information between the group, to promote discussion and develop consensus.
1.3 Results
The review has successfully drawn together and consolidated the current body of knowledge on drought, and highlighted where there are gaps in understanding. The outputs include a report summarising the review process and the main findings regarding what is and is not known about drought, and a collection of the individual topic reviews in a separate annex report.
The improved understanding of drought, including the existing evidence on how it may change and what the implications are for both the catchment environment and the way water resources are managed, is important for both the Environment Agency and those we regulate (water companies, farmers). The identification of knowledge gaps also provides a basis for future research.
1.4 Publication details
This summary relates to information from project SC220047, reported in detail in the following outputs:
- Report: SC220047/R
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Title: Review of the research and scientific understanding of drought: report
- Report: SC220047/Annex
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Title: Annex to the review of the research and scientific understanding of drought
- November 2023
- Project manager: Andy Beverton, Chief Scientist’s Group
This project was commissioned by the Environment Agency’s Chief Scientist’s Group, which provides scientific knowledge, tools and techniques to enable us to protect and manage the environment as effectively as possible.
Enquiries: research@environment-agency.gov.uk.
© Environment Agency