Evaluation of ECOSTRESS Collection 2 Evapotranspiration Products: Strengths and Uncertainties for Evapotranspiration Modeling

Evaluation of ECOSTRESS Collection 2 Evapotranspiration Products: Strengths and Uncertainties for Evapotranspiration Modeling

Abstract The ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) collects thermal observations from the International Space Station to support evapotranspiration (ET) research at fine spatial resolutions (70 m × 70 m). Initial ET from ECOSTRESS Collection 1 was used in sc...

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Main Authors: Zoe Amie Pierrat, Adam J. Purdy, Gregory Halverson, Joshua B. Fisher, Kanishka Mallick, Madeleine Pascolini‐Campbell, Youngryel Ryu, Martha C. Anderson, Claire Villanueva‐Weeks, Margaret C. Johnson, Brenna Hatch, Evan Davis, Yun Yang, Kerry Cawse‐Nicholson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Water Resources Research
Subjects:
evapotranspiration
ECOSTRESS
thermal infrared radiation
PT‐JPL
latent energy
eddy covariance flux
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039404
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Summary:Abstract The ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) collects thermal observations from the International Space Station to support evapotranspiration (ET) research at fine spatial resolutions (70 m × 70 m). Initial ET from ECOSTRESS Collection 1 was used in scientific research and applications, though subsequent analyses identified areas for improvement. This study outlines updates to ECOSTRESS Collection 2 ET and presents an accuracy assessment of ET and auxiliary variables validated against in situ data from AmeriFlux. Key updates in Collection 2 include use of four independent model estimates of instantaneous latent energy (LE) and improved auxiliary forcing data. We find the multi‐model ensemble achieves a root mean square error (RMSE) of 106 Wm−2 for instantaneous observations (reported as LE) and 1.2 mm day−1 for daily retrievals (reported as ET). When considering uncertainty in energy balance closure approaches for site‐level data, the RMSE improves to 50 Wm−2 for instantaneous LE. We observe variable performance based on the solar time of ECOSTRESS acquisition, climate, and vegetation type. Evaluation of auxiliary data highlights limitations in downscaled net radiation and relative humidity, contributing to a diurnal hysteresis in LE. We provide accuracy metrics and model sensitivity to auxiliary data to facilitate user confidence, data adoption, interpretation, and applications. ECOSTRESS is the only instrument capable of providing ET at different times of day at fine spatial scales; thus, this work is an important step toward enhancing the capabilities of satellite‐driven ET models in resolving diurnal ET variations and guiding directions for future improvements.
ISSN:0043-1397
1944-7973

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