droughtresilient

Droughtresilient is a term used to describe systems, practices, crops, or landscapes that are able to withstand, avoid, or recover quickly from drought and water scarcity. It encompasses biological, agronomic, infrastructural, and ecological approaches aimed at reducing vulnerability to water stress.

In agriculture, drought resilience combines plant traits such as high water-use efficiency, deep or extensive root systems, osmotic adjustment, and stress-tolerant photosynthesis with management practices like mulching, soil moisture monitoring, optimized irrigation, and soil health improvement. Breeding and biotechnology seek to enhance these traits without sacrificing yield or quality. Examples of crops associated with drought resilience include sorghum, millet, chickpea, and tepary bean, which perform relatively well under limited rainfall.

In landscapes and urban environments, drought resilience involves selecting drought-tolerant or native species, adopting water-efficient irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and soil amendments that reduce evaporation and improve moisture retention. These measures aim to maintain ecosystem services, aesthetic value, and functional green space during dry periods.

In water infrastructure and governance, drought resilience covers diversified supply options, demand management, leakage reduction, and contingency planning. It also includes governance frameworks for groundwater and surface water, as well as adaptive management to respond to changing climate conditions.

Assessment of drought resilience uses metrics such as yield stability under drought, water-use efficiency, time to recovery after stress, and related ecosystem services. Challenges include ecological trade-offs, climate variability, cost, and the need for regionally tailored, equity-focused solutions.