Letter to the editor

Using a method suggested by the authors earlier, the long-term trends of the F2-layer critical frequency, foF2 are derived for a set of ionospheric stations with a wide latitudinal and longitudinal coverage. All the trends are found to be negative. A pronounced dependence on geomagnetic latitude is found, the trend magnitude increasing with the latter. No globe scale longitudinal effect in trends is detected. For the majority of the stations there is also a pronounced seasonal effect, the trend magnitude being higher in summer than in winter.     

Letters to the Editor

Abstract

This work investigates historical trends of meteorological drought in Taiwan by means of long-term precipitation records. Information on local climate change over the last century is also presented. Monthly and daily precipitation data for roughly 100 years, collected by 22 weather stations, were used as the study database. Meteorological droughts of different levels of severity are represented by the standardized precipitation index (SPI) at a three-monthly time scale. Additionally, change-point detection is used to identify meteorological drought trends in the SPI series. Results of the analysis indicate that the incidence of meteorological drought has decreased in northeastern Taiwan since around 1960, and increased in central and southern Taiwan. Long-term daily precipitation series show an increasing trend for dry days all over Taiwan. Finally, frequency analysis was performed to obtain further information on trends of return periods of drought characteristics.     

Books received by the editor

Several wonderful books arrived at SUNY ESF this spring and summer while the book review responsibilities were transferring from Helmut Elsenbeer to Theodore Endreny. Many of these books have found a reviewer, but others are still available. If the readers see a book that they would like to review, you are encouraged to E‐mail: te@esf.edu and enquire about writing a review. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Books received by the editor

Comments by, and interviews with, authors, editors, and others responsible for carefully and dutifully shepherding intellecutal thoughts into published text will soon appear in this section. Dr. Jeff J. McDonnell, editor of HPToday, has approved the inclusion of this new feature. The rational in this decision to forgo a critical second opinion on the value of the book stems from our observation that books received by HPToday have often been reviewed by other respectable press (e.g., NY Times Book Review, Science Book Review, etc.), and a more unique angle might interest Hydrological Processes readers. The first group of authors has responded favourably to the notion of explaining their inspirations and frustrations and intentions in creating a published work. Please keep coming back to read more about the hydrological field! Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.