Global Patterns of Crop Production Losses Associated with Droughts from 1983 to 2009

• DOI: 10.1175/jamc-d-18-0174.1
• Publication Date: 2019-04-08T18:51:37Z
• Authors: Wonsik Kim; Toshichika Iizumi; Motoki Nishimori
• Keywords: Vulnerability; Hectare

Abstract Droughts represent an important type of climate extreme that reduces crop production and food security. Although this fact is well known, the global geographic pattern drought-driven reductions in poorly characterized. As incidence relatively more severe droughts expected to increase under change, understanding vulnerability a key research priority. Here, we estimate losses maize, rice, soy, wheat from 1983 2009 using empirical relationships among yields, drought index, annual precipitation. We find approximately three-fourths harvested areas—454 million hectares—experienced drought-induced yield over period, cumulative correspond 166 billion U.S. dollars. Globally averaged, one event decreases agricultural gross domestic by 0.8%, with varying magnitudes impacts country. Crop systems display decreased or increased resilience according increases per capita (GDP) countries extensive semiarid areas. These changes accompany technological improvements represented GDP increases. Our estimates economic offer sound basis for subsequent assessments costs adaptation change.