Spatio-Temporal Variability of Aridity and Humidity Indices in Bačka (Serbia)

This paper assessed aridity and humidity conditions in Bačka (north Serbia) in the period 1949–2018. The assessment was based on the analysis of air temperature and total precipitation from 5 meteorological stations. Spatio-temporal changes were determined based on aridity indices, statistical and interpolation procedures. The Mann–Kendall indicates no statistical significance in aridity trends at most stations. The annual value of the Lobova index indicates arid conditions. Monthly values of the De Martonne index (I_DM) do not show a statistically significant positive or negative trend, except for May, September to December. The annual values of the I_DM indicate diversity of aridity conditions with a statistically significant positive trend on annual level only at one station (Sombor). Dry and wet years are equally distributed based on Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI). The 2010 belongs to extremely wet category while the 2000 stands out as extremely dry. Statistically significant positive aridity trend was observed for RAI on annual level for two stations (Palić and Sombor). According to interpolation technique, annual and seasonal values of the I_DM belong to humid and semi-humid conditions. The spatial variability of the RAI is between normal and slightly dry. The Lobova index shows different patterns of aridity. This study provides insight into the dynamics of aridity, and its results can be used in planning and implementing climate change adaptation measures. Since agricultural productivity is highly dependent on aridity and drought conditions, agricultural activities face numerous challenges. Therefore, the presented results can provide a solid basis for designing and implementing adaptation strategies and interventions on a regional scale in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change and aridity on agricultural production in the studied region.