Ecological monitoring of the development of drought processes in Zaporizhia region

Drought ecological monitoring is a critical component of natural resource management and climate change response systems. It encompasses the assessment, analysis, and forecasting of drought conditions using modern technologies such as remote sensing, satellite imagery, geographic information systems (GIS), and mathematical modeling. The primary objectives of drought monitoring are the timely identification of risks, minimization of impacts on agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems, and the development of strategies for climate change adaptation. Monitoring aridity processes significantly influences decision-making in land use, agriculture, water resource management, and the planning of measures for climate adaptation. The study demonstrates the potential of using remote sensing data for detecting drought processes. For the analysis of satellite images, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) were utilized. An analysis of Sentinel-2 satellite images revealed that in the middle of the 2024 growing season, 15% (223 hectares) had an NDVI below 0.2, indicating issues with plant development. The analysis of NDWI data indicates a critical moisture level (-0.2) over a significant area of the research plots. Thus, against the backdrop of the water crisis induced by the Russian Federation and global climate change, drought processes are actively developing in the Zaporizhzhia region.