Direct and Indirect Effects of Drought using the Function Analysis Systems Technique (FAST) Diagram

Human lives have always been subject to different natural risks and dangers throughout the history all over the world. Parts of these dangers have been due mainly to the geological and geomorphological processes and activities such as earthquakes, volcanoes and so forth. Other dangers which are relatively more widespread and frequent, are the climate changing processes which sometimes result in devastating events among which flood, drought and severe storm events are remarkably commonplace . Drought, meanwhile, is strikingly common and of high importance of all. Drought is a worldwide phenomenon, which could happen everywhere throughout the world and lead to major economic, social as well as environmental losses and costs. Drought has two effects, direct and indirect. Agricultural products decrease, deforestation, risk of fire, water level drop, and wildlife losses could be some impacts of drought. The result of direct effects would be indirect effects. For instance, the reduction of agricultural products and fertility of forests and grasslands could possibly decrease the income of farmers and increase the prices of food products, wood, unemployment, crime as well as increasing the immigration. In general the effects of drought could be divided into economical, environmental and social impacts. Many studies have been conducted on the impact of drought and strategies to cope with it. In this study we discuss about direct and indirect impact of drought in function analysis system technique. By this technique we can detect internal relationships and use the results to suggest solutions to cope with drought.

Drought, Economic impacts, Social impacts, Environmental impacts, Health impacts