Saptio-Temporal Analysis of Aridity Trends and Shifts in Karnataka Over 63 Years (1958-2020): Insights into Climate Adaptation

Abstract

The fluctuations in aridity and its changes in Karnataka for a period of 63 years from 1958-2020 were adequately discussed in this research. With the help of Aridity Index (AI), an important indicator of actual climate dryness, this investigation outlines differences in the climate of the state. Data on precipitation and the estimated level of evapotranspiration obtained from the TerraClimate database were employed to compute the AI, which enabled sufficient assessment of monthly, seasonal, and annual variations. Literatures reveal that 26% of the state is humidity or the non-dryland area and 74% of the state is within the dryland subtypes which include semi-arid and dry subhumid. Malnad and coastal area of Karnataka is comparatively more humid whereas large part of the inland Northern Karnataka is more of semi-arid. Seasonal tests reveal that the state has extraordinarily low winter rainfall with 95% of the area being semi- arid and the state has approximately 80% monsoon influence which raises the humidity level. The results from the Mann-Kendall trend test indicated that aridity had a trend of increasing over time. undefined 24% of the region got less arid (from semi-arid to dry subhumid), while 0. The aridity index comparison between the years 1958-1990 and 1991-2020 revealed that 43% of the land became more arid. These changes demonstrate that aridity trends have not fluctuated in the last few decades but also indicate certain areas that have experienced different levels of aridity changes. This study underscores the importance of these data for policy relevant to climate adaptation, agriculture, and regional water management. In conclusion, the study provides significant information concerning the climate of Karnataka and underlines the need for specific strategies to minimize impacts of desertification and enhance adaptation for climate change in Karnataka.