Spatiotemporal Distribution of the Monthly and Seasonal Mean of High Vegetation Cover, Total Precipitation, and Temperature in Iraq for the Period (1950-2022)

Abstract

Droughts are generally considered to be a long-term climate risk, where persistent lack of rainfall dries up soil and vegetation, followed by lower water levels in rivers and lakes. Drought may worsen and continue for years in large areas, leaving negative consequences for people and nature. Data are taken by High Vegetation Cover (HVC) Total Precipitation (TP) and Temperature (T) from satellites recorded by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The choice years (1950-2022) over Iraqi stations extend between two latitudes (29.55°-37.225°) North of the equator and between two longitudes (38.455°-48.548°) East of the Corniche line. Otherwise, was studied the seasonal means of HVC, TP, and T also the monthly means of HVC, TP, and T, as well as the relationship between HVC, TP, and T. The results showed the largest amount of HVC occurred at Mosul station of the period (1950-2022) and less amount of HVC occurred in stations (Sinjar, Makhmour, Qaim, Anah, Haditha, Ramadi, Kerbela, Nukhib, Najaf, Diwaniyah, Amara, Samawah, Basrah and Kalis). It turns out that vegetation cover is present in all months. The largest amount of TP occurred at Amadiyah station and a smaller amount of HVC occurred at Najaf station in all months. The highest amount of rain was in March and the lowest amount of rain was in July and August. The largest of T occurred at Nasiriya station and less amount of T occurred at Amadiyah station. The highest temperature was in July and August, the lowest temperature was in January and February.