Evaluation of the heat stress index THI in the south-eastern area of Romania – Galati county case study

Abstract

Currently, the focus of research on the study of the effects of climate change is of increasing importance. It is  now recognized that climate change on the environment and on the living conditions of the population has  critical and long-lasting effects. In recent years, the southern region of Romania has been faced with an increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves, with prolonged drought periods and changes in the terminological and pluviometry regime, phenomena that contribute to the accentuation of discomfort and thermal stress.
The motivation for this research also derives from the need for a deeper understanding of the persistent  relationships between climatic elements and the thermal stress index, as well as from the need to contribute to recent climate trends at regional level. The analysis of the correlations between temperature, humidity and severe stress can provide relevant information on the vulnerability of the population to warming phenomena, and can 
contribute to the substantiation of adaptation measures to prevent the effects associated with extreme temperatures. In the present paper, the evolution of the thermal stress factor THI is studied. THI - Temperature-Humidity Index, measures the discomfort caused by heat combined with humidity. It quantifies the level of stress to which both animals and the human body are subjected, indicating the moment when the 
thermoregulatory capacity is exceeded.