Spatiotemporal dynamics of meteorological and groundwater droughts in Southwest China and their cumulative and lagged impacts on vegetation

Key Points

• Vegetation dynamics are significantly impacted by both meteorological and groundwater droughts, indicating complex interactions.
• Evidence from spatiotemporal data shows notable changes in vegetation during drought periods, with lags observed in recovery.
• Assessment of drought effects highlights critical thresholds where vegetation responses shift, particularly in arid regions.
• Findings may enable better resource management strategies to mitigate the impacts of droughts on ecosystems.