Assessment of -- ote sensing SEBAL algorithm to estimate actual evapotranspiration from different land uses (Case study: Urmia Lake basin)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Abstract
Actual evapotranspiration (ETa) is one of the important factors for agricultural water management. However, its estimation is not easy, especially in vast areas with different land uses. In the recent decades, many studies have been conducted for estimating Eta using remote sensing technology, which are mainly based on the surface energy balance concept. The SEBAL model is one of the well-known methods for this task. Nevertheless, application of such a model needs more insights about its capabilities, advantages and weaknesses. In this study, the SEBAL algorithm was applied to estimate monthly ETa using images of the Terra satellite (MODIS sensor) for the period of 2002 to 2008. The Urmia Lake basin is selected as the study area, which has a variety of land uses, including agriculture lands, water bodies and salty areas. The results revealed an acceptable agreement between estimated values of ETa and observed values in irrigated areas (R2= 0.84) and water bodies (R2= 0.84). But, the performance of SEBAL in the cases of the salty area, dry farming and grasslands was not enough good.

Volume 9, Issue 1 - Serial Number 16
Spring 2015
Pages 101-110

  • Receive Date 03 October 2012
  • Revise Date 21 December 2012
  • Accept Date 19 January 2013