Influence of Energy and Water Cycle Key Parameters on Drought in Mongolian Plateau during 1979–2020

Drought in the Mongolian Plateau (MP) has gradually intensified recent decades. The energy and water cycles are key factors affecting drought. However, there few quantitative studies on mechanism of aridity change this region. This study uses ERA5, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Himawari 8 datasets investigated drought over MP. index (the ratio potential evaporation total precipitation) is employed to detect changes. results showed that annual mean increased by 0.73% per year (increased significantly since 1999) during period 1979–2020. Moreover, was most severe January April 2016–2020, mainly concentrated central western parts (0.72% year) precipitation decreased (0.16% from 1979 2020. surface temperature continued increasing August December 2016–2020 (1.67% year). may result an increase a decrease volumetric soil last year. resulted cloud cover (0.25% April. net radiation 0.42% increased, which aggravate paradox studied show variation consistent with precipitation, will promote evaporation. reveals global warming, desertification contribute reduced water, together