The Recognition of Drought and its Driving Mechanism based on “Natural-artificial” Dual Water Cycle

Under climate change and human's activities, the drought occurs widely and frequently. This paper defines drought based on natural rhythm, as a dynamic phenomenon of the mismatching of water supply and water demand in water resources system, which is caused by the change of the water supply and water demand process during “natural-artificial” dual water cycle. Drought could occur at any link of the water cycle process, and may classify as natural rhythm drought, human interference drought, climate change drought and integrated drought. The drought characteristics are analyzed to provide support for drought risk management.