Use of a MODIS Satellite-Based Aridity Index to Monitor Drought Conditions in the Pearl River Basin from 2001 to 2021

In recent decades, global climate change has made natural hazards increasingly prevalent. Droughts, as a common hazard, have been hot study topic for years. Most studies conducted drought monitoring in arid and semi-arid regions. humid sub-humid regions, due to change, seasonal droughts water shortages were often observed too, but not well studied. This study, using MODIS satellite-based aridity index (SbAI), investigated spatiotemporal changes conditions the subtropical Pearl River Basin. The results indicated that inter-annual SbAI exhibited significant decreasing trend, illustrating wetter trend basin past two decades. was statistically dry season, monsoon season. displayed an insignificant expansion shrinking Basin become over probably of impacts human activities. areas with increased are more likely impacted by activities such withdrawal irrigation industrial uses, fast urbanization impervious surfaces resultant reduction storage capacity. provided valuable reference assessment across