Developing a reference method for indirect measurement of pasture evapotranspiration at sub-meter spatial resolution

Abstract

To establish an indirect method for estimating and partitioning pasture evapotranspiration, it is vital to develop a direct reference method that aligns with the required temporal and spatial resolution. An evapotranspiration chamber offers an effective solution as it is easy to deploy and operates at an appropriate measurement scale. In this study, we prepared and tested a closed hemispherical chamber for on-site measurements of evaporation and/or transpiration. Advanced data monitoring and logging techniques were integrated to enhance the precision and reliability of direct in-field evapotranspiration measurements. During laboratory testing, vapor accumulation within the chamber was monitored to identify the best representative segment of the vapor accumulation curve. Results indicated that the instrument stabilizes its readings within 5 to 10 s post-deployment in laboratory settings. The subsequent 15 s produce stable readings that best represent actual vapor accumulation. The optimal fan speed, producing an air speed of 5.36 ms−1 at the vicinity of the fan within the chamber, paired with a wire mesh above the vapor-producing surface, yielded the best results. The study established a calibration factor (C) of 1.02 based on the actual water loss and vapor accumulation readings from the sensors at this fan speed. Advanced data analytics were applied to derive the calibration factor and to calculate the values of evapotranspiration from the changing microclimate within the chamber. Direction towards complete automation and the limitations of the chamber in field measurement are provided. The chamber was also tested under field conditions, and the paper examines its practical application and necessary adjustments for field measurements.