Application of Factor Analysis to Determine Hydrometeorological Vulnerability for the Middle São Francisco

Abstract

The vulnerability of water resources in the short and long term is related to several factors such as changes in land use and cover and climate change. Given the need for more information to assist in drought management and water use planning in the Brazilian semi-arid region, this work follows two lines: (I) To analyze the spatio-temporal variability of the hydroclimatic components of the Submédio São Francisco Watershed; (II) Create a Water Vulnerability Index from factor analysis. Two predominant factors were identified in the basin, soil and climate, which are constituted by hydroclimatic variables distributed in space and time. With the IVH, it was possible to identify the areas that have the lowest index, that is, those that are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, indicating that with the instability in the rainfall regime, there should be less recharge of the aquifers, preventing that, at the time of the drought, the reservoirs continue to maintain their production for supply, and may also present risks such as increased temperature and changes in the water regime.

Keywords
Middle São Francisco River; water deficit; water vulnerability