Land Use Changes After Drought Periods in California, USA

Abstract: Since ancient times, mankind has faced a constant battle against natural hazards. From the earlieststages of human communication, when human beings communicate by some sort of harsh gruntsand unintelligible words, people were struck by the awe-inspiring power of nature as floods, storms,earthquakes, and other events which reshaped their environment and way of living. However,among these events, droughts have been particularly devastating, and have left a profound mark onhuman history. Throughout centuries, droughts have forced communities to adapt and evolve in response tochanging environmental conditions. In California, the frequency and severity of droughts haveincreased in recent decades, leading to significant changes in land use patterns. These changes haveimpacted the economy, social structure, and ecology of the region, making the study of land usechanges after drought periods a crucial area of research. In this master thesis, the effects of droughts on land use in California will be deeply explored,analysing the outcome and impacts resulting from extreme dry events in the state, and identifyingpotential climate adaptation actions that can be implemented based on an enhanced understandingof the consequences of droughts on land use. By understanding the complex relationship betweendroughts and land use, mankind may better prepare and adapt to the challenges posed by futureclimate change and other environmental stressors.