Surface Flux Equilibrium Theory‐Derived Evapotranspiration Estimate Outperforms ECOSTRESS, MODIS, and SSEBop Products
Abstract Evapotranspiration (ET) is a critical process influencing energy, water, and carbon cycles. Numerous methods have been developed to estimate ET accurately and robustly across diverse scales. Many of these methods are constrained by reliance on remote sensing data, which is prone to gaps, or...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Geophysical Research Letters |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL114822 |
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| _version_ | 1849725209220743168 |
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| author | Hitesh Thakur Pushpendra Raghav Mukesh Kumar Fitsume Wolkeba |
| author_facet | Hitesh Thakur Pushpendra Raghav Mukesh Kumar Fitsume Wolkeba |
| author_sort | Hitesh Thakur |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Evapotranspiration (ET) is a critical process influencing energy, water, and carbon cycles. Numerous methods have been developed to estimate ET accurately and robustly across diverse scales. Many of these methods are constrained by reliance on remote sensing data, which is prone to gaps, or by the need for model calibration and training. This study evaluates the performance of the calibration‐free surface flux equilibrium theory (SFET) for ET estimation at 33 Ameriflux sites in the continental USA. SFET‐derived ET estimates are intercompared with widely used continental remote sensing products, including ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, and SSEBop. Results indicate that SFET consistently outperforms these ET products. SFET's performance is found to be better under wet conditions and clear skies, with reduced accuracy under arid and high evaporative stress conditions. Overall, SFET exhibits significant potential for providing accurate, continuous, long‐term ET estimates, paving the way for operational application in uninstrumented regions over large scales. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aab2a9247e08405cb5737d4b1a882864 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 0094-8276 1944-8007 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geophysical Research Letters |
| spelling | doaj-art-aab2a9247e08405cb5737d4b1a8828642025-08-20T03:10:31ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072025-05-015210n/an/a10.1029/2025GL114822Surface Flux Equilibrium Theory‐Derived Evapotranspiration Estimate Outperforms ECOSTRESS, MODIS, and SSEBop ProductsHitesh Thakur0Pushpendra Raghav1Mukesh Kumar2Fitsume Wolkeba3Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering University of Alabama Tuscaloosa AL USADepartment of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering University of Alabama Tuscaloosa AL USADepartment of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering University of Alabama Tuscaloosa AL USADepartment of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering University of Alabama Tuscaloosa AL USAAbstract Evapotranspiration (ET) is a critical process influencing energy, water, and carbon cycles. Numerous methods have been developed to estimate ET accurately and robustly across diverse scales. Many of these methods are constrained by reliance on remote sensing data, which is prone to gaps, or by the need for model calibration and training. This study evaluates the performance of the calibration‐free surface flux equilibrium theory (SFET) for ET estimation at 33 Ameriflux sites in the continental USA. SFET‐derived ET estimates are intercompared with widely used continental remote sensing products, including ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, and SSEBop. Results indicate that SFET consistently outperforms these ET products. SFET's performance is found to be better under wet conditions and clear skies, with reduced accuracy under arid and high evaporative stress conditions. Overall, SFET exhibits significant potential for providing accurate, continuous, long‐term ET estimates, paving the way for operational application in uninstrumented regions over large scales.https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL114822 |
| spellingShingle | Hitesh Thakur Pushpendra Raghav Mukesh Kumar Fitsume Wolkeba Surface Flux Equilibrium Theory‐Derived Evapotranspiration Estimate Outperforms ECOSTRESS, MODIS, and SSEBop Products Geophysical Research Letters |
| title | Surface Flux Equilibrium Theory‐Derived Evapotranspiration Estimate Outperforms ECOSTRESS, MODIS, and SSEBop Products |
| title_full | Surface Flux Equilibrium Theory‐Derived Evapotranspiration Estimate Outperforms ECOSTRESS, MODIS, and SSEBop Products |
| title_fullStr | Surface Flux Equilibrium Theory‐Derived Evapotranspiration Estimate Outperforms ECOSTRESS, MODIS, and SSEBop Products |
| title_full_unstemmed | Surface Flux Equilibrium Theory‐Derived Evapotranspiration Estimate Outperforms ECOSTRESS, MODIS, and SSEBop Products |
| title_short | Surface Flux Equilibrium Theory‐Derived Evapotranspiration Estimate Outperforms ECOSTRESS, MODIS, and SSEBop Products |
| title_sort | surface flux equilibrium theory derived evapotranspiration estimate outperforms ecostress modis and ssebop products |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL114822 |
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