Which process can lead to drought due to climate change?

Increased rates of evaporation can significantly contribute to drought conditions as a result of climate change. When temperatures rise, the amount of moisture that can evaporate from the earth’s surface—including soil and water bodies—increases. This process leads to a reduction in surface water availability and can deplete soil moisture levels more quickly than they are replenished through precipitation. As plants and crops also require water to thrive, the combination of higher evaporation rates and potentially decreased rainfall can lead to water stress, ultimately resulting in drought conditions.

The other options present scenarios that do not directly contribute to drought under the influence of climate change. Increased planting of crops might demand more water but does not itself cause drought. Reduced evaporation rates would typically result in more available moisture, which is contrary to drought conditions. Increased groundwater levels, while possibly beneficial in some contexts, would not lead to drought; in fact, higher groundwater levels can provide a buffer against drought by maintaining some moisture in the ecosystem.