Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2012GA314B

Monitoring Diurnal and Seasonal Cycle of Evapotranspiration over Georgia using Remote Sensing Observations

Institute: Georgia
Year Established: 2012 Start Date: 2012-03-01 End Date: 2014-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $60,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $120,000

Principal Investigators: Jingfeng Wang

Abstract: The objective of this project is to test and develop a new method of monitoring diurnal and seasonal variations of evapotranspiration over Georgia using satellite-based remote sensing observations. We propose to use a modeling tool based on the theory of maximum entropy production (MEP). The MEP model allows simultaneous solution of evapotranspiration and fluxes of sensible and ground heat as functions of surface variables (i.e. temperature, humidity, and net radiation) that are available from remote sensing observations. Preliminary test has shown that the MEP model is capable of estimating time-averaged regional evapotranspiration directly using the time-averaged surface variables from satellite remote sensing data including MODIS data from NASA TERRA/AQUA satellites supplemented, if needed, by the geostationary satellites (GOES). The MEP model is parameter-parsimonious using fewer and site-independent model parameters than the bulk transfer equations based models such as Penman-Monteith model without requiring parameters including stomatal and atmospheric conductance, surface roughness, vegetation type, etc. The MEP model is computationally efficient in monitoring and estimating diurnal and seasonal cycle of regional evapotranspiration. The outcome will provide an independent source of evapotranspiration data for evaluation and management of water resources in the state of Georgia.