A Review of Current Methodologies for Regional Evapotranspiration Estimation from Remotely Sensed Data

doi:10.3390/s90503801

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Sensors 2009, 9(5), 3801-3853; doi:10.3390/s90503801

Review

A Review of Current Methodologies for Regional Evapotranspiration Estimation from Remotely Sensed Data

Zhao-Liang Li^{1, 2,}* , Ronglin Tang^{1, 2, 3}, Zhengming Wan⁴, Yuyun Bi^{2, 5}, Chenghu Zhou¹, Bohui Tang¹, Guangjian Yan⁶ and Xiaoyu Zhang⁷

¹ Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Beijing 100101, China ² LSIIT, Bld Sebastien Brant, BP10413, 67412 Illkirch, France ³ Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China ⁴ ICESS, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA ⁵ Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Beijing 100081, China ⁶ Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China ⁷ Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 15 March 2009; in revised form: 27 April 2009 / Accepted: 18 May 2009 / Published: 19 May 2009

(This article belongs to the Section Remote Sensors)

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Abstract: An overview of the commonly applied evapotranspiration (ET) models using remotely sensed data is given to provide insight into the estimation of ET on a regional scale from satellite data. Generally, these models vary greatly in inputs, main assumptions and accuracy of results, etc. Besides the generally used remotely sensed multi-spectral data from visible to thermal infrared bands, most remotely sensed ET models, from simplified equations models to the more complex physically based two-source energy balance models, must rely to a certain degree on ground-based auxiliary measurements in order to derive the turbulent heat fluxes on a regional scale. We discuss the main inputs, assumptions, theories, advantages and drawbacks of each model. Moreover, approaches to the extrapolation of instantaneous ET to the daily values are also briefly presented. In the final part, both associated problems and future trends regarding these remotely sensed ET models were analyzed to objectively show the limitations and promising aspects of the estimation of regional ET based on remotely sensed data and ground-based measurements.

Keywords: remote sensing; evapotranspiration; methodology; review; temporal scaling

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Cite This Article

MDPI and ACS Style

Li, Z.-L.; Tang, R.; Wan, Z.; Bi, Y.; Zhou, C.; Tang, B.; Yan, G.; Zhang, X. A Review of Current Methodologies for Regional Evapotranspiration Estimation from Remotely Sensed Data. Sensors 2009, 9, 3801-3853.

AMA Style

Li Z.-L., Tang R., Wan Z., Bi Y., Zhou C., Tang B., Yan G., Zhang X. A Review of Current Methodologies for Regional Evapotranspiration Estimation from Remotely Sensed Data. Sensors. 2009; 9(5):3801-3853.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Li, Zhao-Liang; Tang, Ronglin; Wan, Zhengming; Bi, Yuyun; Zhou, Chenghu; Tang, Bohui; Yan, Guangjian; Zhang, Xiaoyu. 2009. "A Review of Current Methodologies for Regional Evapotranspiration Estimation from Remotely Sensed Data." Sensors 9, no. 5: 3801-3853.

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