The identification of dryland areas is crucial for guiding policy aimed at intervening in water-
stressed areas and addressing the perennial livelihood or food insecurity of these areas.
However, the prevailing aridity indices (such as UNEP aridity index) have methodological
limitations that restrict their use in delineating drylands and may be insufficient for decision-
making frameworks. In this study, we propose a new aridity index based on based on 3
decades of soil moisture time series by accounting for site-specific soil and vegetation that …

Water resources scarcity plays an important role in socioeconomic aspect of livelihood
pattern in dryland areas. Hydrological perspective of aridity is required for social and
economic coping Strategies. Identification of dryland areas is crucial to guide policy aimed at
intervening in water stressed areas and addressing its perennial livelihood or food
insecurity. Yet, prevailing aridity indices are beset with methodological limitations that restrict
their use in delineating drylands and, might be insuffient for decision making frameworks …