An ensemble mean method for remote sensing of actual evapotranspiration to estimate water budget response across a restoration landscape
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Release: USGS data release - Monthly Ensemble Mean Evapotranspiration (EMET) Product for the Los Planes basin in Baja California Sur, Mexico from January 2006 through December 2021: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
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Abstract
Estimates of actual evapotranspiration (ETa) are valuable for effective monitoring and management of water resources. In areas that lack ground-based monitoring networks, remote sensing allows for accurate and consistent estimates of ETa across a broad scale—though each algorithm has limitations (i.e., ground-based validation, temporal consistency, spatial resolution). We developed an ensemble mean ETa (EMET) product to incorporate advancements and reduce uncertainty among algorithms (e.g., energy-balance, optical-only), which we use to estimate vegetative water use in response to restoration practices being implemented on the ground using management interventions (i.e., fencing pastures, erosion control structures) on a private ranch in Baja California Sur, Mexico. This paper describes the development of a monthly EMET product, the assessment of changes using EMET over time and across multiple land use/land cover types, and the evaluation of differences in vegetation and water distribution between watersheds treated by restoration and their controls. We found that in the absence of a ground-based monitoring network, the EMET product is more robust than using a single ETa data product and can augment the efficacy of ETa-based studies. We then found increased ETa within the restored watershed when compared to the control sites, which we attribute to increased plant water availability.
Suggested Citation
Petrakis, R., Norman, L., Villarreal, M.L., Senay, G.B., Friedrichs, M., Cassassuce, F., Gomis, F., Nagler, P.L., 2024, An ensemble mean method for remote sensing of actual evapotranspiration to estimate water budget response across a restoration landscape: Remote Sensing, v. 16, no. 12, 2122, 35 p.; Data Release, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16122122.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | An ensemble mean method for remote sensing of actual evapotranspiration to estimate water budget response across a restoration landscape |
| Series title | Remote Sensing |
| DOI | 10.3390/rs16122122 |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Publication Date | June 12, 2024 |
| Year Published | 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Geographic Science Center |
| Description | 2122, 35 p.; Data Release |
| Country | Mexico |
| State | Baja California Sur |
| Other Geospatial | Los Planes Basin |