Materials and Methods
This study focuses on Iowa, utilizing secondary atmospheric and spatial
data to analyze the effects of drought on corn and soybean yields.
Statistical analyses and GIS tools were combined to examine numerical
data and geographical patterns. Detailed justifications for data
selection, preprocessing steps, and analysis methods are provided to
enhance transparency and reproducibility.
Study Area
The study area includes Iowa, an agriculturally dominant region in the
U.S., where 85% of the land is dedicated to farming (Bell, 2010). The
state produces essential crops like corn and soybeans, supported by its
fertile loess soils, flat terrain, and a continental climate
characterized by hot summers and cold winters (Islam et al., 2024).