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Atlas of Drought in Britain, 1975–1976
Agricultural Meteorology, 23 (1981) 255--258 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands
255
Book Reviews
Atlas of Drought in Britain, 1975--76. J.C. Doornkamp, K.J. Gregory and A.S. Burn (Editors). Institute of British Geographers, London, 1980, 82 pp., £27.50. The phenomenon of drought is increasingly becoming the object of intensive research by climatologists, meteorologists and scientists concerned with the improvement of food production. The problem is taking on serious dimensions as the world's population increases exponentially. The "Atlas of Drought in Britain" represents a superb case study, set within the framework of wide-ranging geographical perspectives. The idea to present the case of an unusually intense and prolonged dry period, especially in a region usually renowned as rainy, from all its many sided facets of hydrology, climatology, economy and ecological impact is a fortunate inspiration, worthy to serve as a precedent for other studies. There is no doubt that the wealth of material found in the Atlas will serve as source material to many researchers, particularly in the fields of climatology and hydrology. Rainfall statistics, potential evaporation, river discharges and water demand are set within the European context so that the extent of drought influences are graphically depicted and easily grasped. Especially interesting to this reviewer is the endeavour to link this drought event to historical rainfall records and other historical evidence over the last 1000 years. Meteorologically, Perry's article is particularly revealing. He shows the drought period as being brought about by the persistence of a classical blocking anticyclone over the British Isles, with the main tropospheric jetstream split, steering the rainbearing depressions from the Atlantic away to the north and south of Britain and northwestern Europe. Complementary to this is Prior's contribution, emphasizing the agrometeorological impact of a prolonged anticyclonic situation. This consists of long hours of sunshine (absence of clouds) and enhanced evapotranspiration, resulting in large soil moisture deficits. Definitions of drought are discussed by Grindley (return periods of rainfall amounts for different consecutive months), and Atkinson who classifies drought into degrees from "mild" to "severe", according to areas and their regional climates. Other aspects presented are fire hazard and the damage caused by forest, grassland and peat fires; the cost impact on various agricultural sectors, and water-saving strategies of the administration. The latter discussion may well lead the responsible authorities to consider more efficient marshalling of their water-saving and distribution resources in the face of imminent drought. The entire volume is well printed. Figures, graphs and tables are very clear and a pleasure to look at. The editors are to be congratulated on this successful effort. M. LEVI (Bet Dagan)
255
Book Reviews
Atlas of Drought in Britain, 1975--76. J.C. Doornkamp, K.J. Gregory and A.S. Burn (Editors). Institute of British Geographers, London, 1980, 82 pp., £27.50. The phenomenon of drought is increasingly becoming the object of intensive research by climatologists, meteorologists and scientists concerned with the improvement of food production. The problem is taking on serious dimensions as the world's population increases exponentially. The "Atlas of Drought in Britain" represents a superb case study, set within the framework of wide-ranging geographical perspectives. The idea to present the case of an unusually intense and prolonged dry period, especially in a region usually renowned as rainy, from all its many sided facets of hydrology, climatology, economy and ecological impact is a fortunate inspiration, worthy to serve as a precedent for other studies. There is no doubt that the wealth of material found in the Atlas will serve as source material to many researchers, particularly in the fields of climatology and hydrology. Rainfall statistics, potential evaporation, river discharges and water demand are set within the European context so that the extent of drought influences are graphically depicted and easily grasped. Especially interesting to this reviewer is the endeavour to link this drought event to historical rainfall records and other historical evidence over the last 1000 years. Meteorologically, Perry's article is particularly revealing. He shows the drought period as being brought about by the persistence of a classical blocking anticyclone over the British Isles, with the main tropospheric jetstream split, steering the rainbearing depressions from the Atlantic away to the north and south of Britain and northwestern Europe. Complementary to this is Prior's contribution, emphasizing the agrometeorological impact of a prolonged anticyclonic situation. This consists of long hours of sunshine (absence of clouds) and enhanced evapotranspiration, resulting in large soil moisture deficits. Definitions of drought are discussed by Grindley (return periods of rainfall amounts for different consecutive months), and Atkinson who classifies drought into degrees from "mild" to "severe", according to areas and their regional climates. Other aspects presented are fire hazard and the damage caused by forest, grassland and peat fires; the cost impact on various agricultural sectors, and water-saving strategies of the administration. The latter discussion may well lead the responsible authorities to consider more efficient marshalling of their water-saving and distribution resources in the face of imminent drought. The entire volume is well printed. Figures, graphs and tables are very clear and a pleasure to look at. The editors are to be congratulated on this successful effort. M. LEVI (Bet Dagan)