65
4
Comparative Analysis of
Surface Energy Balance
Models for Actual
Evapotranspiration
Estimation through
Remotely Sensed Images
Carmelo Cammalleri, Giuseppe Ciraolo,
Antonino Maltese, and Mario Minacapilli
4.1 INTRODUCTION
A correct estimation of both the temporal and spatial distribution of evapotranspiration (ET) is essential to manage water resources, in particular, in Mediterranean areas,
where water scarcity and a semiarid climate often cause fragility and severe damage to
agro-ecosystems. The determination of ET is not simple due to the heterogeneity and
complexity of hydrological processes. Following these needs, recently, the scientific
community has developed detailed mathematical models for simulating land surface
fluxes by integrating essential climatic data and remote sensing images to estimate
CONTENTS
4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 65
4.2 Model Descriptions ......................................................................................... 67
4.3 Study Area ...................................................................................................... 70
4.4 Remote Sensing Data Acquisition and Processing ......................................... 72
4.5 Applications and Results ................................................................................ 74
4.5.1 Model Performance Comparison ........................................................ 74
4.5.2 Analysis of the Pixel-Size Effect ........................................................ 79
4.5.2.1 SEBAL versus TSEB: NERC Data ...................................... 79
4.5.2.2 SEBAL versus TSEB: ASTER Data ....................................80
4.6 Conclusions ..................................................................................................... 81
Acknowledgments .................................................................................................... 83
References ................................................................................................................ 83
4
Comparative Analysis of
Surface Energy Balance
Models for Actual
Evapotranspiration
Estimation through
Remotely Sensed Images
Carmelo Cammalleri, Giuseppe Ciraolo,
Antonino Maltese, and Mario Minacapilli
4.1 INTRODUCTION
A correct estimation of both the temporal and spatial distribution of evapotranspiration (ET) is essential to manage water resources, in particular, in Mediterranean areas,
where water scarcity and a semiarid climate often cause fragility and severe damage to
agro-ecosystems. The determination of ET is not simple due to the heterogeneity and
complexity of hydrological processes. Following these needs, recently, the scientific
community has developed detailed mathematical models for simulating land surface
fluxes by integrating essential climatic data and remote sensing images to estimate
CONTENTS
4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 65
4.2 Model Descriptions ......................................................................................... 67
4.3 Study Area ...................................................................................................... 70
4.4 Remote Sensing Data Acquisition and Processing ......................................... 72
4.5 Applications and Results ................................................................................ 74
4.5.1 Model Performance Comparison ........................................................ 74
4.5.2 Analysis of the Pixel-Size Effect ........................................................ 79
4.5.2.1 SEBAL versus TSEB: NERC Data ...................................... 79
4.5.2.2 SEBAL versus TSEB: ASTER Data ....................................80
4.6 Conclusions ..................................................................................................... 81
Acknowledgments .................................................................................................... 83
References ................................................................................................................ 83