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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #204874
Title: Modeling Evapotranspiration in Subtropical Climate

Author
item Savabi, M
item COCHRANE, THOMAS - UNIV OF NEW ZEALAND
item GERMAN, E - USGS
item IKIZ, C - FORMERLY ARS-SHRS
item Cockshutt, Nicholas

Submitted to: International Soil Conservation Organization (ISCO)
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2006
Publication Date: 5/20/2006
Citation: Savabi, M.R., Cochrane, T., German, E., Ikiz, C., Cockshutt, N.R. 2006. Modeling Evapotranspiration in Subtropical Climate. International Soil Conservation Organization Conference Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: Evapotranspiration loss is estimated at about 80% of annual precipitation in south Florida. Accurate prediction of evapotranspiration is important during and beyond the implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration (CERP). In the USDA’s Everglades Agro-Hydrology Model (EAHM) the soil water intake is linked with the soil water redistribution, soil evaporation, plant transpiration, subsurface lateral flow and subsurface drainage to calculate daily root zone soil water content. Hydrometeorological data from three sites with different soil and vegetal cover were used to evaluate the EAHM- Evapotranspiration routine. In general, the EAHM water balance sub-model simulated the daily evapotranspiration with acceptable accuracy in the area with standing water (Everglades). More information about the effect of albedo in a land surface with grass vegetation during the growing season could help explain this discrepancy.

Technical Abstract: Evapotranspiration loss is estimated at about 80% of annual precipitation in south Florida. Accurate prediction of evapotranspiration is important during and beyond the implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project(CERP). In the USDA’s Everglades Agro-Hydrology Model (EAHM) the soil water intake is linked with the soil water redistribution, soil evaporation, plant transpiration, subsurface lateral flow and subsurface drainage to calculate daily root zone soil water content. Hydrometeorological data from three sites with different soil and vegetal cover were used to evaluate the EAHM- Evapotranspiration routine. In general, the EAHM water balance sub-model simulated the daily evapotranspiration with acceptable accuracy in the area with standing water (Everglades). However, in the area with grass cover, there was a significant discrepancy between the model simulated and measured ET. More information about the effect of albedo in a land surface with grass vegetation during the growing season could help explain this discrepancy.