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Distributed Estimation of Actual Evapotranspiration Through Remote Sensing Techniques

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Methods and Tools for Drought Analysis and Management

Part of the book series: Water Science and Technology Library ((WSTL,volume 62))

Abstract

Evapotranspiration (ET) is one of the main water balance components, and its actual value appears to be the most difficult to measure directly. Therefore, the choice of reliable models capable of predicting spatially distributed actual ET represents a drought monitoring fundamental aspect. This chapter presents a brief introduction to the main remote sensing methods for ET estimate and, by means of ground ET measurements carried out through eddy covariance systems at three different sites in southern Italy, analyzes the performance given by the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) model using images of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on areas characterized by different physiographic and vegetative conditions (sparse vegetation, crop canopy and high mountain vegetation). The distributed results obtained for different days from summer 2004 to summer 2006 on a wide southern Italian area pointed out generally good ET predictions in the eddy covariance sites, also if some differences arose depending on the type and density of vegetation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Conservation, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy

    G. Calcagno, G. Mendicino, A. Senatore & P. Versace

  2. APAT – Agency for Environmental Protection and Technical Services, Rome, Italy

    G. Monacelli

Authors
  1. G. Calcagno
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  2. G. Mendicino
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  3. G. Monacelli
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  4. A. Senatore
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  5. P. Versace
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Catania, Italy

    Giuseppe Rossi

  2. Sicilian Regional Agency for Waste and Water, Water Observatory, Palermo, Italy

    Teodoro Vega

  3. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Catania, Italy

    Brunella Bonaccorso

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Calcagno, G., Mendicino, G., Monacelli, G., Senatore, A., Versace, P. (2007). Distributed Estimation of Actual Evapotranspiration Through Remote Sensing Techniques. In: Rossi, G., Vega, T., Bonaccorso, B. (eds) Methods and Tools for Drought Analysis and Management. Water Science and Technology Library, vol 62. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5924-7_7

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