Increased Socioeconomic Impacts With Future Intensifying Flash Droughts in China

Abstract Amid global warming and rapid urbanization, China faces the challenge of an increasing frequency and severity of flash droughts. However, the impact of flash droughts on the socioeconomic conditions has not been sufficiently explored. Here, we elucidate the evolutionary characteristics of f...

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Main Authors: Yuchen Li, Yuyue Xu, Jiangling Liao, Junzheng Pi, Wenfeng Zhan, Jianli Chen, Ling Yao, Chenghu Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL116454
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author Yuchen Li
Yuyue Xu
Jiangling Liao
Junzheng Pi
Wenfeng Zhan
Jianli Chen
Ling Yao
Chenghu Zhou
author_facet Yuchen Li
Yuyue Xu
Jiangling Liao
Junzheng Pi
Wenfeng Zhan
Jianli Chen
Ling Yao
Chenghu Zhou
author_sort Yuchen Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Amid global warming and rapid urbanization, China faces the challenge of an increasing frequency and severity of flash droughts. However, the impact of flash droughts on the socioeconomic conditions has not been sufficiently explored. Here, we elucidate the evolutionary characteristics of flash droughts in China and project future trends in their impacts on socioeconomic conditions under different climate scenarios by analyzing soil moisture and socioeconomic data. We estimate that the frequency of flash droughts is projected to increase in specific regions of China, along with an increasingly substantial socioeconomic impact over time. Under SSP2‐4.5, the population and gross domestic product exposed to flash droughts are anticipated to reach 33% and 35% by the end of this century, respectively. Furthermore, richer subgroups face higher economic risks and greater social vulnerability. These findings may help policymakers assess the adverse effects of flash droughts and formulate policies to mitigate the threats to sustainability.
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issn 0094-8276
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language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Wiley
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series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-50186a079fb444c580fac73b41c77cb72025-08-20T04:02:09ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072025-07-015213n/an/a10.1029/2025GL116454Increased Socioeconomic Impacts With Future Intensifying Flash Droughts in ChinaYuchen Li0Yuyue Xu1Jiangling Liao2Junzheng Pi3Wenfeng Zhan4Jianli Chen5Ling Yao6Chenghu Zhou7School of Geography and Ocean Science Nanjing University Nanjing ChinaSchool of Geography and Ocean Science Nanjing University Nanjing ChinaSchool of Geography and Ocean Science Nanjing University Nanjing ChinaSchool of Geography and Ocean Science Nanjing University Nanjing ChinaInternational Institute of Earth System Science Nanjing University Nanjing ChinaDepartment of Land Surveying and Geo‐Informatics and Research Institute for Land and Space The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hung Hom ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaState Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaAbstract Amid global warming and rapid urbanization, China faces the challenge of an increasing frequency and severity of flash droughts. However, the impact of flash droughts on the socioeconomic conditions has not been sufficiently explored. Here, we elucidate the evolutionary characteristics of flash droughts in China and project future trends in their impacts on socioeconomic conditions under different climate scenarios by analyzing soil moisture and socioeconomic data. We estimate that the frequency of flash droughts is projected to increase in specific regions of China, along with an increasingly substantial socioeconomic impact over time. Under SSP2‐4.5, the population and gross domestic product exposed to flash droughts are anticipated to reach 33% and 35% by the end of this century, respectively. Furthermore, richer subgroups face higher economic risks and greater social vulnerability. These findings may help policymakers assess the adverse effects of flash droughts and formulate policies to mitigate the threats to sustainability.https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL116454flash droughtclimate changeimpacts
spellingShingle Yuchen Li
Yuyue Xu
Jiangling Liao
Junzheng Pi
Wenfeng Zhan
Jianli Chen
Ling Yao
Chenghu Zhou
Increased Socioeconomic Impacts With Future Intensifying Flash Droughts in China
Geophysical Research Letters
flash drought
climate change
impacts
title Increased Socioeconomic Impacts With Future Intensifying Flash Droughts in China
title_full Increased Socioeconomic Impacts With Future Intensifying Flash Droughts in China
title_fullStr Increased Socioeconomic Impacts With Future Intensifying Flash Droughts in China
title_full_unstemmed Increased Socioeconomic Impacts With Future Intensifying Flash Droughts in China
title_short Increased Socioeconomic Impacts With Future Intensifying Flash Droughts in China
title_sort increased socioeconomic impacts with future intensifying flash droughts in china
topic flash drought
climate change
impacts
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL116454
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