Summary:

Since 2012 Institute of Technology and Life Sciences has lead a national agro-meteorological monitoring in rural areas. The system provides current and forecasted information on the status and impact of water shortages in selected, representative of agricultural ecosystems and estimates potential reduction of crop yield. Required meteorological data are provided by a network of automatic stations located in 13 regions on Polish territory. Weather forecasts, necessary to develop predictions of water shortages in the next 10 and 20 days, come from the meteorological service of MeteoGroup Poland. Monitoring of water deficits and their consequences is carried out on using an indicator method. Precipitation conditions are monitored using standardized precipitation index SPI, soil moisture - soil moisture index SMI, the deficit of water for crops - agricultural drought index CDI and the potential reduction of final yield - yield reduction ratio YR. Results of the monitoring and forecasts are presented as tables and maps in the Internet.