Measurement and estimation of actual evapotranspiration in the field under Mediterranean climate: a review

The Mediterranean regions are submitted to a large variety of climates. In general, the environments are arid and semi-arid with summers characterised by high temperatures and small precipitation. Due to the scarcity of water resources, the correct evaluation of water losses by the crops as evapotra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European Journal of Agronomy 2000-07, Vol.13 (2), p.125-153
Main Authors: Rana, G, Katerji, N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actual evapotranspiration
Agricultural and forest climatology and meteorology. Irrigation. Drainage
Agricultural and forest meteorology
Agricultural sciences
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Biological and medical sciences
Direct ET measurement methods
ET modelling
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General agronomy. Plant production
Indirect ET measurement methods
Life Sciences
Mediterranean climate
Water balance and requirements. Evapotranspiration
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Summary:The Mediterranean regions are submitted to a large variety of climates. In general, the environments are arid and semi-arid with summers characterised by high temperatures and small precipitation. Due to the scarcity of water resources, the correct evaluation of water losses by the crops as evapotranspiration (ET) is very important in these regions. In this paper, we initially present the most known ET measurement methods classified according to the used approach: hydrological, micrometeorological and plant physiological. In the following, we describe the methods to estimate ET, distinguishing the methods based on analytical approaches from the methods based on empirical approaches. Ten methods are reviewed: soil water balance, weighing lysimeter, energy balance/Bowen ratio, aerodynamic method, eddy covariance, sap flow method, chambers system, Penman–Monteith model, crop coefficient approach and soil water balance modelling approach. In the presentation of each method, we have recalled the basic principles, underlined the time and space scale of its application and analysed its accuracy and suitability for use in arid and semi-arid environments. A specific section is dedicated to advection. Finally, the specific problems of each method for correct use in the Mediterranean region are underlined. In conclusion, we focus attention on the most interesting new guidelines for research on the measurement and estimation of actual crop evapotranspiration.
ISSN:1161-0301
1873-7331
DOI:10.1016/S1161-0301(00)00070-8