Analysis of aridity indicators in the Deliblato Sands

Deliblato Sands are located in the southern part of Banat region in Vojvodina province. According to the estimated changes of basic climate parameters in this part of the Republic of Serbia during past decades very strong rise in annual air temperatures (T) was registered, an average of 0.52°C per decade. This rise in temperature increased the potential evapotranspiration (PET), which together with precipitation can increase the degree of aridity of climate in the study area. However, in the same period an increase in annual precipitation sum (P) was observed, an average of about 35 mm per decade, which may somewhat slow the aridisation of desert sands. Considering the nature, origin and significance of Deliblato Sands ecosystem, the main goal of this paper is to analyse the drought and aridity index (AI = P / PET), analyse the trend of aridisation process and its possible impact on ecosystems of this special nature reserve. Aridity index analyses were performed in meteorological stations Banatski Karlovac, Vrsac and Bela Crkva for the period 1981 - 2010 at the annual values and for the growing season. Results showed that Deliblato desert sands (Banatski Karlovac) stand at a higher frequency of arid years (AI < 0.65) compared to locations of Vrsac and Bela Crkva. On the other hand, the level of aridity has considerably increased during the vegetation period in desert sands as well in its surroundings. This intensified aridity is the result of considerable increase of potential evapotranspiration (PET) connected to season precipitation