Studies regarding aridity phenomenon in Timiş County,

Romania
Rareş Hălbac-Cotoară1

Abstract: Drought and the two associated phenomena’s
(aridity and desertification) represent problems which
were very studied in the last period. In the last 55 years,
temperature around Timisoara increase with 0.7°C and
the precipitation were reduced. Taking in consideration
and other factors as human impact and soil’s
characteristics, it can be observe especially in the north-
western part of Timiş County the appearance of aridity
phenomenon.
This paper presents an assessment regarding the aridity in
western part of Romania, Timiş County, taking in
consideration two indicators based on precipitation and
temperature: De Martonne and Lang. Using these two
indexes, were created and will be presented two maps.
Keywords: aridity, indicators, De Martonne, Lang, maps
1. INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL ASPECTS
The last century presents us that the human
influence about environment had materialized not only
through pollution, but especially by provoking climatic
changes at global level, changes which affect us more or
less. An important problem of our days, generated by
these climatic changes, is represented by drought and
the associated phenomena’s aridity and desertification.
On 17 June 1994, at Paris, was adopted the
Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD),
convention which became operatively in December
1994. The basis of this convention is the Resolution
47/188 of United Nations General Assembly from 1992,
result of the United Nations Conference on
Environmental and Development from Rio de Janeiro
(1991). [1]
Romania adheres to CCD in 1997 by adopting
the Law 629/1997. Also, at national level, was adopted
The Government Decision 474 from 01.04.2004
regarding the foundation, organization and function of
National Committee for Drought, Land Degradation and
Desertification Control.
In Romania, the problem of drought was
confirmed from many years. More than 2.8 million
hectares of agricultural fields presents a tendency of
desertification. At the same time, drought affects almost
the entire Romanian agricultural fund. Timiş County,
situated in the western part of Romania, know a
transition period, from humidity excess to humidity
deficit because of a long period with intensive drainage.
The lack of humidity in soils is more evident in the
north-western part of this county. [1]
A continuous decreasing of precipitations and,
in the same time, the temperature increasing can be
observed in the next figures.

Figure 1 Precipitations in western part of Romania [2]

1
PhD Stud. Eng., ”Politehnica” University of Timişora, Hydrotechnical Engineering Faculty, raresh_81@yahoo.com
Figure 2 A comparison between temperatures from 2003 and 2004 and the normal for the respective period [2]
2. TIMIŞ COUNTY CLIMATE
Timiş County is situated in the western part of
Romania, with a total surface of about 8.700 Km2. The
territory is represented by a moderated continental
Figure 3 Timiş County geographical map [8]
In Timiş County were identified regional climates for
each type of relief forms. The areas which presents
periods with humidity deficit can be identified with 4
from the mentioned regional climates situated on low
plains and high plains. The climate from Sânnicolaul
Mare area can be characterized through a reduced
quantity of precipitations, specific to steppe. Because of
40 years with intensive drainage, on a large surface,
water table level decrease dramatically. Biled-Banloc
climate presents humidity deficit (drought periods)
temperate climate with Mediterranean influences. As
can be seen from the following image, all the forms of
relief are represented in this county.
during summer and autumn. Timişoara area appears on
many maps as a region with severe periods of drought.
The quantity of precipitations in this region overruns
600 mm. Gh. Ianoş and co. identify only one period
with humidity deficit in the autumn. [5, 6] Orţişoara is
the most important region from the humidity deficit
point of view. It is the pole of drought for this county.
The area can be characterized as an aridity one, all the
hydrothermal indicators presenting low values. [5]
3. ARIDITY ASSESSMENT. DE MARTONNE AND monthly indicator makes a good differentiation for the
LANG INDICATORS. areas affected by drought. There are and some
For aridity assessment can be used two disadvantages as: this indicator is not adequate for cold
indicators, De Martonne and Lang, but with the mention mountain forestry areas and presupposes values
that both of them presents some advantages and measured in standard meteorological stations. [3]
disadvantages. These indicators use two natural climatic Formula for Lang indicator:
factors: precipitation and temperature as you will see in
their formulas. P
Formula for De Martonne indicator: I L=
T
(2)
P
I M=
T + 10 (1) Where P and T had the same significances as
in De Martonne formula
Where P represents annual average
precipitations and T represents the annual average Aridity assessment using Lang indicator
temperature. Values Assessment
0 .. 20 Arid climate
Aridity assessment using De Martonne indicator 20 .. 40 Mediterranean climate
Values Assessment 40 .. 70 Half-arid climate
0 .. 5 Arid climate 70 .. 1000 Wet climate
5 .. 20 Half-arid climate
20 .. 30 Half-wet climate Regarding this indicator, the advantage of using it is that
30 .. 55 Wet climate Lang indicator allows the delimitation of climates in
plain (agricultural) areas. It can’t be used in mountain
The advantages of using this indicator are: forestry areas and cannot be applied using monthly
allow the delimitation of arid and half-wet climates; values [3].

4. STUDIES REGARDING ARIDITY FOR TIMIŞ COUNTY AND THE RESULTS INTERPRETATION
Table 3 Values of De Martonne and Lang indicators for some areas from Timiş County and their assessment [4, 5]
No Meteorological Average* Average* De Martonne1 Lang2 Assessment Assessment
. station precipitation Temperature coefficient coefficient 1 2
1 Beba Veche 521 10,9 24,92 47,79 1 1
2 Teremia Mare 552,3 10,8 26,55 51,13 1 2
3 Sânnicolau Mare 541,4 10,8 26,02 50,12 1 2
4 Jimbolia 560,1 10,7 27,05 52,34 1 2
5 Periam 530,3 10,7 25,61 49,56 1 1
6 Cărpiniş 610,2 10,7 29,47 57,02 2 2
7 Cenei 540,5 10,7 26,11 50,51 1 2
8 Grăniceri 619,7 10,7 29,93 57,91 2 2
9 Timişoara 601 10,6 29,17 56,69 2 2
10 Ghiroda 631 10,9 30,19 57,88 3 2
11 Banloc 600,6 10,7 29,01 56,13 2 2
12 Liebling 586,6 10,6 28,47 55,33 2 2
13 Recaş 615,4 10,6 29,87 58,05 2 2
14 Orţişoara 544 10,5 26,53 51,8 1 2
15 Giarmata 590,8 10,8 28,4 54,7 2 2
16 Maşloc 617,3 10,7 29,82 57,69 2 2
17 Buziaş 639,9 10,7 30,91 59,8 3 2
18 Lugoj 690,7 10,6 33,52 65,16 3 3
19 Cliciova 641,9 9,7 32,58 66,17 3 3
20 Bunea Mare 629,6 9,6 32,12 65,58 3 3
21 Coşteiu de Sus 771,8 8,4 41,94 82,1 4 4
22 Hăuzeşti 864,9 9,1 45,28 95,04 4 4
23 Visag 647,4 10,4 31,73 62,25 3 3
 24 Izvin 582 10,4 28,53 55,96 2 2
25 Dudeştii Noi 577 10,6 28,01 54,43 2 2
26 Diniaş 550,1 10,8 26,45 50,94 1 2
27 Hitiaş 640 10,7 30,92 59,81 3 2
28 Tormac 620 10,8 29,8 57,4 2 2
29 Deta 602 10,7 29 56,26 2 2
30 Denta 602 10,7 29 56,26 2 2
31 Parţa 620 10,7 29,95 57,94 2 2
32 Găvojdia 676,2 10,5 32,99 64,4 3 3
33 Nădrag 1040 8,8 55,32 118,18 4 4
34 Făget 836 9,8 42,31 85,34 4 4
35 Peciu Nou 628 10,8 30,19 58,14 3 2
*
Values from these columns are forbidden to be used without the permission of Meteorological Centre
“Banat-Crişana” Timişoara
**
Values, from positions 1 to 23, are annual average temperatures and precipitations for period 1950-1999 while the
values from 24 to 35 are representative for the interval 1896-1973.

Table 4 Personal aridity assessment for Timiş County climate using De Martonne indicator
Personal aridity assessment using De Martonne indicator
Values Assessment
24 .. 28 Half-wet climate with increased risk at aridization
28 .. 30 Half-wet climate with low risk at aridization
30 .. 40 Half-wet climate with tendency to wet climate
> 40 Wet climate

Table 5 Personal aridity assessment for Timiş County climate using Lang indicator
Personal aridity assessment using Lang indicator
Values Assessment
40 .. 50 Half-arid climate
50 .. 60 Half-arid climate with periods of half-wet climate
60 .. 70 Half-wet climate without risk of aridization
> 70 Wet climate

The maps representing aridity degree for Timiş County,
using De Martonne indicator, were realized taking in
consideration table 3, table 6 and figure 4. Areas with a
high vulnerability at aridization are situated in north-
western part of Timiş County and in northern part,
Orţişoara area, at the border with Arad County. On
these territories, the precipitation level is low,
temperatures increased and the soils had a small easily
water capacity. I consider that the mentioned areas must
be integrated in first class of vulnerability with a half-
wet climate, having an increased risk at aridization. The
second class of vulnerability at aridization is
represented by the areas situated in central part and
southern part of Timiş County. A few parts from this
territory present an increased risk to drought because of
soil characteristics. Lands from first and second class
had a plain relief, so they present a tendency of climate
from half-wet to half-arid and even arid if the actual
trend of climatic changes will continue. Territories with
aridity values between 30 and 40 are generally situated
on high plains or hills and do not present risk at
aridization, we can say that the most of them had a
climate more closely to wet climate. Finally, areas with
an aridity value bigger than 40 are situated on hills and
mountains and their climate is wet.
Taking in consideration Lang indicator, there are only
two zones with half-arid climate: Beba Veche and
Periam. This indicator presents large areas with half-
arid climate but a big part of them had periods with
half-wet climate and even wet climate. Unfortunately, in
the last 10 years, the climate in Timiş County became
sometimes unpredictable, given us numerous surprises,
generally not pleasant. Eastern part from this county,
situated on high forms of relief, can be integrated in
half-wet and wet climate accordingly to Lang indicator.
A general assessment, taking in consideration both
indicators, even there are some differenced between
them, presents high and medium aridity risk in north-
western part of our county, the vulnerability to this
phenomenon decreasing during the approaching to high
forms of relief, situated in eastern part of Timiş County.
The impact of aridity upon lands is influenced and by
soils characteristics as it is easily water capacity.
Figure 4 Soils map of Timiş County [7]

Next table will present the class of vulnerability for
some soils, according to National Strategy and Action
Program Concerning Desertification, Land Degradation
and Drought Prevent and Control, elaborated using the
results obtained by Forest Research and Management
Institute (FRMI), Research Institute for Soil Science and
Agrochemistry (RISSA), National Company “National
Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Water
Management” (NC-NIMHWM), Studies and Designing
Institute for Land Improvement (SDILI), National
Institute of Research – Development for Environment
Protection (NIRDEP), Research and Technological
Engineering Institute for Irrigations and Drainage,
Băneasa-Giurgiu (RTEID), Research Institute of Life
Quality, Research Institute for Grains and Technical
Crops Fundulea (RIGTC) and Research and Production
Institute for Grass Cultivation, Măgurele – Braşov
(RPIGC). [1]

Table 6 Soils vulnerability to drought [1]

Soil type Class of vulnerability
Soils with good easily available water capacity (on flat lands, moderately vulnerable to drought)
KASTANOZEMS III
CHERNOZEMS II
CLAY-ILLUVIAL AND CAMBIC CHERNOZEMS II
MOLLIC CLAY-ILLUVIAL BROWN SOILS II
REDDISH BROWN SOILS II
On sloping lands (more vulnerable to drought)
KASTANOZEMS I
CHERNOZEMS I
CLAY-ILLUVIAL AND CAMBICE CHERNOZEMS I – II
Soils with smaller easily available water capacity (more vulnerable to drought)
LITHIC KASTANOZEMS I
MOLLIC EU-MEZOBAZIC BROWN SOILS I
SOLONETZ I
VERTISOLS I – II
LITHOSOLS I
PSAMOSOLS I
LAMELAR PSAMOSOLS I
COARSE TEXTURED ALLUVIAL SOILS II
Soils with shallow ground water (less vulnerable to drought)
CHERNOZEMS, FREATIC PHASE III
GLEY SOILS II – III
HUMIC-GLEY SOILS II – III
MEDIUM TEXTURED ALLUVIAL SOILS III
FINE TEXTURED ALLUVIAL SOILS II – III
Figure 5 Aridity map for Timiş County using De Martonne indicator (Hălbac, 2006)
Figure 6 Aridity map using De Martonne indicator. Vulnerable areas to drought (Hălbac, 2006)
 De Martonne indicator variability at Tim isoara m eteorological station
160

140
De Martonne
De Martonne indicator values

120 indicator values

for 1901-1990
100 De Martonne
indicator values
80 for 2001
De Martonne
60 indicator values
for 2002

40 De Martonne
indicator values
for 2003
20

0
III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Month

Figure 14 Variability of De Martonne indicator at Timişoara meteorological station

6. CONCLUSIONS
The climatic changes from the last years can generate unpredictable
phenomenon as fast flooding or severe drought in very short periods. For
Timiş County, as example, the map with humidity excess presents an
overposition with drought areas. The drought from 2000 was followed, in just
5 years, by very strong flooding with disastrous effects.
Still, drought and the associated phenomenon’s as aridity and desertification,
remain a real menace for this region of Romania. Many surfaces, even they are
not arid, are much closed to this situation so are imposed to be taken measures
for land reclamation and improvement. That’s why, important areas benefit by
irrigation systems. The drainage systems, which provoke an important
decrease of water table level, can be replaced which controlled drainage
system, more efficient than the actual arrangements.
In Timiş County, aridity phenomenon is present, in not a severe form, in north-
western part. Around Timişoara, this phenomenon appears only during autumn
(sometimes beginning with the last summer days) and sometimes in the spring.
The majority part of Timiş County had a climate which balances between half-
wet climate and half-wet climate with tendency to half-arid. The eastern part,
which is situated on hill and mountains, had a wet climate, without risk to
aridization.
One from the presented maps took in consideration not only the precipitations
and temperatures, but also the soils characteristics and especially the capability
of retaining water and the quantity of water retained in the soil layer.
Regarding the aridity phenomenon, researches must be continued because
drought, after pollution, is the second problem of our world and our times,
with many unpleasant effects. The presented maps must be and will be
improved, at this hour not presenting a high quality from esthetical point of
view, and, in some points, even from used data point of view. Part from the
presented values covered only a reduced period of time (1896 -1973) and must
be actualized in order to obtain more accurate and more precisely results. Also,
I proposed to be created specialized software on drought problems, able to
simulate meteorological phenomenon’s specific for Timis County and to give
detailed and accurate prognoses regarding aridity, drought or dryness period of
time with applicability in economical and social sector.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. xxx – National Strategy and Action Program Concerning Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought Prevent and Control;
2. xxx – United States Agricultural Department Site;
3. Barbu Ion, Popa Ionel – The monitoring of drought appearance risk in Romania’s forests, Bucovina Forestierã IX, 1-2;
4. Stanciu Eugenia – Atmospheric precipitations from Banat Area, Eurostampa Publishing House, Timişoara, 2005;
5. Ianoş Gheorghe, Puşcă I., Goian M. – Banat Soils, Natural Conditions and Fertility, Mirton Publishing House, Timişoara, 1997;
6. Ardelean Victor, Zăvoianu Ion – Timiş County, Romanian Academy Publishing House, Timişoara, 1979;
7. xxx – Synthesis of drainage studies with proposals of drainage tubes, filtering materials and drainage solutions for zones with humidity excess from western part of Romania, counties: Timiş, Arad,
Bihor, Maramureş and Satu Mare, Theme no. 6, Code CNCSIS 519; Contract no. 40535/ 2003, Director: Prof. Dr. Ing. MAN Teodor Eugen; Research team: Prof. Dr. Ing. WEHRY Andrei, Prof.
Dr. Ing. ROGOBETE Gheorghe, Prof. Dr. Ing. ORLESCU Mircea, Conf. Dr. Ing. CONSTANTINESCU Laura, Şef. Lucr. Dr. Ing. ELEŞ Gabriel, Asist. Drd. Ing. POPESCU Filip, Student
HĂLBAC-COTOARĂ Rareş. Value 82.500 thousands lei