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
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039404
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author 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
author_facet 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
author_sort Zoe Amie Pierrat
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-7819915eb2154fbab39b17f960fe8fa12025-08-20T03:31:27ZengWileyWater Resources Research0043-13971944-79732025-06-01616n/an/a10.1029/2024WR039404Evaluation of ECOSTRESS Collection 2 Evapotranspiration Products: Strengths and Uncertainties for Evapotranspiration ModelingZoe Amie Pierrat0Adam J. Purdy1Gregory Halverson2Joshua B. Fisher3Kanishka Mallick4Madeleine Pascolini‐Campbell5Youngryel Ryu6Martha C. Anderson7Claire Villanueva‐Weeks8Margaret C. Johnson9Brenna Hatch10Evan Davis11Yun Yang12Kerry Cawse‐Nicholson13Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA USADepartment of Applied Environmental Science California State University Monterey Bay Seaside CA USAJet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA USASchmid College of Science and Technology Chapman University Orange CA USARemote Sensing and Natural Resources Modeling ENVISION Unit Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) Belvaux LuxembourgJet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA USADepartment of Landscape Architecture and Rural Systems Engineering Seoul National University Seoul South KoreaHydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture Beltsville MD USAJet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA USAJet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA USAJet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA USAJet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA USASchool of Integrative Plant Science Cornell University Ithaca NY USAJet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA USAAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039404evapotranspirationECOSTRESSthermal infrared radiationPT‐JPLlatent energyeddy covariance flux
spellingShingle 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
Evaluation of ECOSTRESS Collection 2 Evapotranspiration Products: Strengths and Uncertainties for Evapotranspiration Modeling
Water Resources Research
evapotranspiration
ECOSTRESS
thermal infrared radiation
PT‐JPL
latent energy
eddy covariance flux
title Evaluation of ECOSTRESS Collection 2 Evapotranspiration Products: Strengths and Uncertainties for Evapotranspiration Modeling
title_full Evaluation of ECOSTRESS Collection 2 Evapotranspiration Products: Strengths and Uncertainties for Evapotranspiration Modeling
title_fullStr Evaluation of ECOSTRESS Collection 2 Evapotranspiration Products: Strengths and Uncertainties for Evapotranspiration Modeling
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of ECOSTRESS Collection 2 Evapotranspiration Products: Strengths and Uncertainties for Evapotranspiration Modeling
title_short Evaluation of ECOSTRESS Collection 2 Evapotranspiration Products: Strengths and Uncertainties for Evapotranspiration Modeling
title_sort evaluation of ecostress collection 2 evapotranspiration products strengths and uncertainties for evapotranspiration modeling
topic evapotranspiration
ECOSTRESS
thermal infrared radiation
PT‐JPL
latent energy
eddy covariance flux
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039404
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