ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: High variability in rainfall distribution, characteristic of the semi-arid climate in Northeastern Brazil, deeply affects its socio-economic environment. In this study we analyzed the impact of rainy season patterns and dry spells on rain-fed agriculture and water resources in the state of Ceará. Analyses of ten years of data show that the number of dry spells was higher and their duration was longer during dry years. However, rain-fed crop production was more sensitive to the total duration of dry spells along the season than the number of events. Crop losses higher than 50% were related to dry periods lasting up to 75 days. The quantity of dry spells was, in turn, negatively correlated to water inflow in the reservoirs. As expected, inflows were higher during wet years. The results suggest that the monitoring of dry spells could subsidize planning and decision-making process in agriculture and water resources sectors.
