Estimation of areal distribution of evapotranspiration using remotely sensed data during vegetation period in Hungary Original Research Article

The surface temperature measured by satellite can be the basis of evapotranspiration (ET) computation. The possibility of calculation of daily sum of the regional ET using surface temperature was examined under Hungarian weather conditions. A simplified relationship, namely ETd−Rnd = a + b (Tc−Ta), which relates the daily ET to daily net radiation with one measurements of surface and air temperature was used for the calculation. Using NOAA/AVHRR satellite data, no information about the surface inhomogeneity was obtained. The distribution of surface temperature was investigated by infrared thermometer scanning the surface from a board a hang-glider, ultra-light-aeroplane, and light aeroplane. Field observation trials were made during the vegetation period of 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995. In eastern part of the country a homogeneous field (1 km × 1 km) was scanned before noon and afternoon. In the western part of the country, a much larger area (45 km × 45 km) was investigated. Cultivated area, forest and a large water surface were included in the investigated surface. The problems of calibration of hand-held infrared thermometer and the time shifting are discussed too. Comparison of model output with data from field experiment has played a crucial role in model development and suggested evaluation method.