Map description and dataset provided by: Water Systems Analysis Group, Complex System Research Center, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space, University of New Hampshire, USA

Description

This map shows the Coefficient of Variation for Climate Moisture Index (CMI CV) indicator for the globe on a 0.5 X 0.5 degree global grid. The CMI CV illustrates time varying fluctuations bit intra- and inter-annual in the relationship between plant water demand and available precipitation.

Interpretation

The Coefficient of Variation (CV) is a statistical measure of the potential seasonal and interannual fluctuations in water availability for regions. Increased climate variability indicates larger year-to-year fluctuations, and hence, less predictability in the climate. Increased CMI CV often occurs along the interfaces between humid and dry, for instance, in the Sahelian region of Africa and in the North American Great Plains. These are areas known for periodic, severe droughts and water scarcity.

Source

The dataset for this map was provided by: Charles J. Vörösmarty, Water Systems Analysis Group, Complex System Research Center, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space, University of New Hampshire, USA

Background

This dataset was developed for the World Water Development Report II, Indicators for the World Water Assessment Program (http://wwdrii.sr.unh.edu/index.html) and in support of analysis outlined in Vörösmarty et al., 2005.

Citation

Please cite this map as: "GWSP Digital Water Atlas (2008). Map 65: Coefficient of Variation for Climate Moisture Index (V1.0). Available online at http://atlas.gwsp.org."

Contact Information

Charles J. Vörösmarty, Water Systems Analysis Group, Complex System Research Center, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH USA 03824, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Phone: +01.603.862.0850, Fax: +01.603.8