Gamage, Nilantha, Smakhtin, V and Perera, B. J. C (2011) Estimation of Actual Evapotranspiration using Remote Sensing data. In: MODSIM2011, 19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Chan, F, Marinova, D and Anderssen, RS, eds. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, Australia, pp. 3356-3362.

Abstract

Estimation of actual evapotranspiration (AET) and its spatial distribution are important to understanding of catchment hydrology. The AET is driven by net energy available to evaporate water from soil and vegetation surfaces, and to transpirate water from vegetation. However, estimating AET is difficult as the evapotranspiration process involves complex physical and biological processes. It is further complicated when there is lack of measured meteorological variables data which are required for estimation. These data are essential to quantify the availability of net energy and the aerodynamic effects of the evapotranspiration process. Remote sensing (RS) data, which are widely available and easily accessible than the measured ground data, can be used to estimate the availability of net energy for AET. However, still some measured ground data are required to quantify the aerodynamic effects on AET. In this study, remote sensing data and readily available climate datasets were used as inputs to an energy balance technique to estimate AET, as an alternative to the traditional ET estimation procedures, which require measured hydrometeorological data. The Macalister subcatchment in the Thomson catchment in Victoria (Australia) was used as the case study considering the study period from January 2003 to December 2008.

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