Estimation of evaporation using the surface energy balance system (SEBS) and numerical models

Ali Ershadi Esmaeilabadi, M. F. Mccabe, J. P. Evans, J. P. Walker, R. Pipunic

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

This study estimates evaporation using the Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS) method over an agricultural region in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area of NSW, Australia. Evaporation is estimated as latent heat flux using the standard Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory (MOST) equations of SEBS and meteorological observations form an eddy-covariance system. Landsat and MODIS satellite data coincident with the period of in-situ flux measurements are used to examine the spatial variability of evaporation measurements. To extend the investigation, atmospheric forcing data from recent simulations of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are used. A comparison at the point scale is made between observed eddy-covariance, modeled WRF predictions, and calculated SEBS values. In addition, the spatial variability of evaporation from the Landsat and MODIS images are compared against WRF results. Results show good estimation of the sensible heat flux using Landsat, MODIS, and WRF data, but estimation of the latent heat flux are not comparable with observations due to non-closure issues.

Original languageEnglish (US)
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
Event34th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment - The GEOSS Era: Towards Operational Environmental Monitoring - Sydney, NSW, Australia
Duration: Apr 10 2011Apr 15 2011

Other

Other34th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment - The GEOSS Era: Towards Operational Environmental Monitoring
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CitySydney, NSW
Period04/10/1104/15/11

Keywords

  • Evapotranspiration
  • NWP
  • Remote sensing
  • SEBS
  • Thermal images
  • WRF

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Environmental Engineering

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