Fixed versus variable bulk canopy resistance for reference evapotranspiration estimation using the Penman-Monteith equation under semiarid conditions

In this paper, daily ET0 estimates at two semiarid locations, Zaragoza and Córdoba, were obtained with the Penman-Monteith equation using either fixed (70 s m-1) or variable rc values. Variable rc values were computed with two models, Katerji and Perrier, and Todorovic. Daily ET0 estimates were computed from 24-hour meteorological averages or from the sum of hourly estimates. Daily ET0 measured values were obtained with a weighing lysimeter (Zaragoza) and an eddy covariance system (Córdoba). There was a good agreement at both locations between estimated and measured ET0 values using a fixed rc value and 24-hour meteorological averages. Estimates obtained from the sum of hourly estimates were somewhat worse. When 24-hour meteorological averages were used, the Katerji and Perrier model for variable rc slightly improved ET0 estimates at both locations. But that improvement does not support the effort to locally calibrate that model. When daily ET0 estimates were obtained from the sum of hourly estimates, the Todorovic model improved the estimation at Zaragoza and, at a lesser degree, at Córdoba. Under the semiarid conditions of the two studied locations, the use of the Todorovic model is recommended to get hourly ET0 estimates from which daily estimates can be obtained. If 24-hour meteorological averages are used, a fixed rc value as proposed by Allen et al. (1998) should be enough for accurate ET0 estimates.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Lecina Brau, Sergio, Martínez-Cob, Antonio, Villalobos, Francisco J., Baselga Yrisarry, Javier
Format:	artículo biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier 2003-01-22
Subjects:	Canopy Resistance, Evapotranspiration, Penman-Monteith Equation,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/10261/4190
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