Estimation of spatial surface energy fluxes and actual evapotranspiration over Ghataprabha river basin using remote sensing data

Abstract

Accurately measuring Actual Evapotranspiration (AET) in spatial scale is a crucial yet challenging task within the hydrological cycle, playing a pivotal role in determining the water requirements of diverse crops. Consequently, precise estimation of Evapotranspiration (ET) at a spatial scale is imperative for regions characterized by arid and semiarid conditions, such as the Ghataprabha river basin. In current study, actual evapotranspiration was estimated using SEBAL algorithm utilizing Landsat-8 satellite data and meteorological data, focusing on the Ghataprabha river basin situated in Karnataka, India. The paper also presents the spatial divergence of Surface Energy Fluxes and Actual Evapotranspiration in correlation with various land use and land cover patterns within the study region. Notably, the ET fraction derived from the SEBAL algorithm demonstrates a commendable correlation with the ET fraction derived from EEFlux (R2= 0.9). As a result, this study highlights the significance of accurately capturing surface energy fluxes and actual evapotranspiration within heterogeneous field conditions in regional scale.