Table of Contents

Preface
1. Introduction to the Hydrologic Cycle and Drought
2. Global Hydroclimatology
3. Drought in the Climate System
4. Drought and Hydroclimate in the Holocene
5. Climate Change and Drought
6. Case Studies: The Dust Bowl and Sahel Droughts
7. Land Degradation and Desertification
8. Groundwater and Irrigation
Glossary
References
Index

About the Author

Benjamin I. Cook is a research scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. He also teaches on drought and climate science in Columbia’s School of Professional Studies.

Reviews

This book presents an interesting, multidisciplinary perspective on the various dimensions of drought, which is a complex natural hazard of global importance.
*Brian Wardlow, director and professor, Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies and the School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln*

Drought, aridity, and hydroclimatic stress are major concerns worldwide, and climate change is already making the situation worse. This book provides a foundation that many—whether interested in the basic science, the human impacts, or the impacts on natural systems—will find useful. Rarely are relevant insights from the recent geologic past woven together so well with knowledge gained from the instrumental and satellite era to illuminate the challenges that lie ahead. The evidence provided in this book highlights how serious the threat to both humans and nature will be. A must-read.
*Jonathan T. Overpeck, William B. Stapp Collegiate Professor and Samuel A. Graham Dean of the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability*

Cook’s tome is a first-principles, comprehensive, and up-to-date exposition of drought, including its drivers and consequences, by a major player working at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary science. The book is perfectly organized, written, and illustrated, with the early chapters on hydrology and climate laying the needed groundwork for the reader to truly appreciate the later chapters on the history and future of drought and its impacts. In my estimation, this is easily the most important and useful book ever published on the phenomenon of drought.
*Julio L. Betancourt, visiting scientist, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center*

Provides a stimulating, cohesive, and relevant review that integrates knowledge from several scientific disciplines . . . By drawing attention to the far-reaching impacts human activities have on climate dynamics, this book contributes to a more environmentally aware future.
*Conservation Biology*

Drought would serve as an excellent textbook for students and professionals of conservation and environmental disciplines, as well as those in parallel fields . . . Highly recommended.
*Choice*

Water management will indeed be a major resource challenge, and Drought: An Interdisciplinary Perspective does an excellent job of showing why.
*BU Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning Impact Magazine*

This book is an important contribution to the literature on drought and provides a vital interdisciplinary perspective on the subject. Cook is an expert on drought and very clearly describes its background and methods of study. People from all disciplines would benefit from reading this book to learn more about drought.
*H-Environment*