Articles | Volume 26, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-4977-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-4977-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
13 Oct 2026
Research article |
| 13 Oct 2026
| 13 Oct 2026
Multiscalar and nonlinear controls of drought impacts in Spain revealed by media-reported data
Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPE-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
Laboratorio de Climatología y Servicios Climáticos (LCSC), CSIC–University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Department of Geography, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
Fernando Domínguez-Castro
Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPE-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
Laboratorio de Climatología y Servicios Climáticos (LCSC), CSIC–University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Santiago Beguería
Laboratorio de Climatología y Servicios Climáticos (LCSC), CSIC–University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Estación Experimental de Aula Dei, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EEAD-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
Javier Vela-Tambo
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA
Amar Halifa-Marín
Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPE-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
Laboratorio de Climatología y Servicios Climáticos (LCSC), CSIC–University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Maria Adell-Michavila
Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPE-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
Laboratorio de Climatología y Servicios Climáticos (LCSC), CSIC–University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Alex Crespillo
Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPE-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
Laboratorio de Climatología y Servicios Climáticos (LCSC), CSIC–University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Borja Latorre
Laboratorio de Climatología y Servicios Climáticos (LCSC), CSIC–University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Estación Experimental de Aula Dei, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EEAD-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
Magí Franquesa
Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPE-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
Laboratorio de Climatología y Servicios Climáticos (LCSC), CSIC–University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Sergio M. Vicente-Serrano
Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPE-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
Laboratorio de Climatología y Servicios Climáticos (LCSC), CSIC–University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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Short summary
This study synthesizes the multiscalar and nonlinear dynamics of drought impacts across Spain. It highlights the combined role of precipitation deficits and rising temperatures, showing the stronger performance of the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) over the standardized precipitation index (SPI) under warming conditions. Agricultural impacts respond to intermediate drought durations, while hydrological systems show delayed long-term responses. Severe droughts amplify impacts nonlinearly, with strong spatial variability affecting crops, reservoirs and ecosystems.
This study synthesizes the multiscalar and nonlinear dynamics of drought impacts across Spain....
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