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Title: Examples of USDA-ARS contributions to the advancement of remote sensing tools for ET estimation

Author
item Kustas, William - Bill
item Anderson, Martha
item Evett, Steven - Steve
item Trout, Thomas

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2011
Publication Date: 11/2/2011
Citation: Kustas, W.P., Anderson, M.C., Evett, S.R., Trout, T.J. 2011. Examples of USDA-ARS contributions to the advancement of remote sensing tools for ET estimation. 2011 Western States Reomote Sensing of Evapotranspiration Workshop. http://www.westernstatesetworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/western_RS_ET_2011_ARS_Kustas.pdf.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Estimating evapotranspiration (ET) is critical in assessing crop growth, development, stress and ultimately yield and in managing water to achieve greater crop water productivity. With irrigated agriculture estimated to consume 70-80% of freshwater resources not only in the western U.S. but worldwide, there are major efforts directed towards developing water conservation and water use efficiency tools and techniques that can sustain yield but reduce water use. To address this problem, ARS scientists have conducted research over the last several decades in developing remote sensing methods for quantifying ET from canopy and field to watershed/landscape and regional scales. Algorithms based on the use of crop coefficients with reflectance-based indices as well as thermal-based methods will be presented and discussed. Methods to reliably estimate daily ET for operational applications will also be presented.