What the study found
Organisations that had forecasting systems or Drought Management Plans in place responded to the 2022 European drought earlier and rated their responses as more effective. The study also found that many respondents updated their drought plans after the 2018 European drought.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that Europe needs more coordinated drought risk management across countries. They say the findings support a Drought Directive and a continent-wide approach that brings together climatic and societal factors.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used a Europe-wide survey of 481 people across 30 countries, together with hydroclimatic data from the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), a measure based on precipitation and evapotranspiration. They assessed how forecasting systems and Drought Management Plans affected response timing, perceived effectiveness, preparedness, and changes in drought practices after 2018.
What worked and what didn't
Organisations with forecasting systems implemented drought response measures about two months earlier on average than those without such systems. Organisations with Drought Management Plans acted about one month earlier on average and also gave higher effectiveness ratings. The abstract does not report outcomes for groups without these tools beyond the timing and rating comparisons.
What to keep in mind
The abstract provides survey-based findings and does not describe detailed limitations, such as how respondents were selected or how representative they are of all European water managers. The summary also does not give full details of the statistical analysis or the specific drought response measures used.
Key points
- The study surveyed 481 respondents across 30 European countries.
- Forecasting systems were linked to drought responses implemented about two months earlier on average.
- Drought Management Plans were linked to responses about one month earlier on average.
- Respondents with forecasting systems or plans rated their responses as more effective.
- Thirty-five percent of respondents said they introduced or updated their Drought Management Plans after the 2018 drought.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Forecasting systems and plans improved drought response timing
- Authors:
- Riccardo Biella, Anastasiya Shyrokaya, Ilias Pechlivanidis, Daniela Cid, María Carmen Llasat, Faranak Tootoonchi, Marthe Wens, Marleen Lam, Elin Stenfors, Samuel Sutanto, Elena Ridolfi, Serena Ceola, Pedro Henrique Lima Alencar, Giuliano Di Baldassarre, Monica Ioniță, Mariana Madruga de Brito, Scott J. McGrane, Benedetta Moccia, Viorica Nagavciuc, Fabio Russo, Svitlana Krakovska, Andrijana Todorovic, Patricia Trambauer, Raffaele Vignola, Claudia Teutschbein
- Institutions:
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science, Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science, Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science, Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science, Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science, Deltares, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Institute of Forest Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, Stanford University, State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ştefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Ştefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Technische Universität Berlin, Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute, Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, University of Belgrade, University of Bologna, University of Strathclyde, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University & Research
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-27
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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