Drought vulnerability assessment for maize in the semiarid region of northwestern China

Maize is a major crop in the semiarid region of northwestern China, and, in recent years, severe drought events have often severely impacted local maize production. In this paper, an assessment model for maize drought vulnerability in the semiarid region of northwestern China was constructed after an in-depth analysis of factors linked to drought vulnerability. The model establishes an evaluation index system for drought vulnerability and assesses the level of environmental sensitivity, degree of exposure, crop sensitivity, and adaptability. An assessment and a regionalization analysis of maize drought vulnerability were then conducted for the semiarid region of northwestern China. The results showed the spatial distribution characteristics of environmental sensitivity, degree of exposure, crop sensitivity, and adaptability. The high and sub high vulnerable areas for maize were located mainly in the northern and southern parts of the warm temperate zone (District I A) and covered most of the central region of the middle temperature zone (District II A). The low and sub low vulnerable areas were in the central part of District I A, in the eastern and western part of District II A, and across the whole of the warm temperate zone (Districts I B), the middle temperature zone (Districts II B), and the plateau area of the sub temperate zone (District III). The main factors affecting high drought vulnerability varied across different areas. These results provide a theoretical basis for the risk management of maize production and will help prevent drought disasters in the semiarid region of northwestern China.