Assessment of drought based on resilience concept – A case study of Jiaodong Peninsula

Study Region : The Jiaodong Peninsula in eastern China Study focus : This study proposes a comprehensive drought resilience assessment framework that integrates defensive, recovery, and adaptive capacities. Drought climatic characteristics were identified using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), while the regional drought response capacity was comprehensively evaluated through the integration of multiple indicators weighted by a combination of subjective and objective methods, enabling a systematic assessment of the alignment between climatic stress and system responses. New hydrological insights for the region : This study conducted a quantitative analysis of drought resilience from 2006 to 2020. Results show a prolonged moderate drought from 2014 to 2017, with 2017 being the most severe (min SPEI = −1.428, mean = −1.073). Drought resilience was particularly weak during this period and in 2019, with low-resilience areas covering 75 % of Qingdao and 69 % of Weihai. Qingdao exhibited a consistent decline in defensive and adaptive capacities, and mutation analysis indicated an earlier and more pronounced degradation of resilience compared to Weihai and Yantai. Unlike traditional approaches focused mainly on risk or mitigation, this study integrates climate pressure with multi-dimensional system capacities, offering a more robust evaluation of drought resilience. The framework provides valuable quantitative insights for regional water management and climate adaptation policy. • Proposes "Climate-Drought Response" framework for drought resilience assessment. • Prolonged drought in Jiaodong (2014–2017) identified; 2017 was the most severe. • Low drought resilience covered 75 % of Qingdao and 69 % of Weihai during droughts. • Over the past decade, Qingdao experienced five years of weak drought resilience.