Design droughts as planning tool for ecosystem establishment in post-mining landscapes

摘要: Eastern Australia has considerable mineral and energy resources areas of high biodiversity value co-occurring over a broad range agro-climatic environments. Water is the primary abiotic stressor for (agro)ecosystems in many parts Australia. In context mined land rehabilitation quantifying severity-duration-frequency (SDF) droughts crucial successful ecosystem to overcome challenges early vegetation establishment long-term resilience. The objective this study was quantify SDF short-term drought events 11 selected locations across environments by using three indices at different time scales: Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Reconnaissance Drought (RDI), Precipitation-Evapotranspiration (SPEI). Based on we derived bivariate distribution functions severity duration, estimated recurrence intervals scales. correlation between simple SPI more complex SPEI or RDI stronger tropical temperate than arid locations, indicating that can be replaced if evaporation plays minor role plant available water. Both were most severe prolonged, occurred frequently regions, but relatively rare regions. Our approach similar intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) analyses rainfall design infrastructure. regard, propose apply components post-mining landscapes. Together with rainfalls, should used assess strategies ecological management based intervals, thereby minimising risk failure initial due ignorance fundamental site-specific environmental barriers.