Tracking Drought from Space: New Tool Shows Climate Trends Across Arkansas

The Problem

Arkansas agriculture, particularly in the Delta, is increasingly vulnerable to drought, yet the state lacks a centralized climate office or climatologist to systematically track these changes. Drought not only threatens crop yields and farm income but also water resource stability. Without accessible, region-specific data on drought patterns, the state’s farmers and decision-makers face challenges in preparing for climate extremes and managing water resources efficiently.

The Work

To address this gap, Hamdi Zurqani, an Assistant Professor of Geospatial Science with the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, which is part of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and the University of Arkansas at Monticello, led a study to analyze drought conditions in Arkansas using five years of satellite-based data. Zurqani and his team developed the Arkansas Vegetation Drought Explorer v.2.0, a web-based application that uses MODIS satellite imagery and the Vegetation Health Index to map drought severity across counties and timeframes. The team studied both short-term (14 to 180 days) and long-term (two to five years) drought trends. Data collection and analysis were supported by graduate student Shadia Alzurqani and colleagues from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

The Results

The study found a marked increase in short-term drought conditions, especially during March and August, with agricultural lands and grasslands being the most vulnerable. The Mississippi River Alluvial Plain, which includes parts of eastern and southern Arkansas, showed the highest drought frequency. However, long-term data over two to five years suggested that some areas, such as southwestern Arkansas, may be experiencing a trend toward wetter conditions, showing nature’s potential for recovery over time. The tool can be accessed online.

The Value

The Arkansas Vegetation Drought Explorer offers a powerful tool for visualizing drought in Arkansas. It provides actionable insights for the state’s agricultural community, land and water managers, and policymakers to make informed decisions about crop planning and irrigation strategies. By making advanced satellite data accessible and user-friendly, the tool helps bridge the gap left by the absence of a formal state climate office.