Abstract

GUTIERREZ, Mylene  and  RODRIGUEZ, Jorge. A procedure for the elaboration of an aridity map for Nueva Esparta State, Venezuela. Terra [online]. 2015, vol.31, n.50, pp.131-154. ISSN 1012-7089.

This aridity map is based on a ratio between the average annual precipitation (mm) and the reference average annual evapotranspiration (mm). A repository used for the analysis of monthly and yearly precipitation data belonging from thirteen (13) stations, and temperature data belonging from five (5) stations, was built for this purpose. Precipitation was estimated by using the anomaly correction method. Temperature is estimated with the reduction to sea level correction method. These methods are based on simple linear regression functions, with geoprocessing methods associated with geographic information technologies. The aridity map is composed by four (4) classes, of which the semiarid class (58.3%) associated with the Island of Coche and the lower mountain zones of Margarita Island, as well as the arid class (37.9%) associated with Cubagua Island and erosion and littoral central plains of Margarita Island, are predominant subhumid climates are related to elevations higher than 500 meters above sea level, representing 3.6% of the total area.

Keywords : aridity map; Nueva Esparta; GIS; precipitation; temperature; gvSIG + Sextante.