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
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
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.
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 |