Influence of vegetation cover on evapotranspiration patterns in mountainous areas

Abstract

The study presents results of calculation of potential evapotranspiration based on vegetation cover and actual solar energy income modeling obtained in the Jalovecky creek experimental hydrological basin in the Western Tatra mountains. Vegetation cover in the basin is represented by Bare rock, Grass, Natural grassland, Coniferous forest and Dwarf pine. Spatial evapotranspiration patterns for vegetation cover were calculated with three different methods build in the SOLEI model. They are Simple regression model, Radiation model by FAO and Penman-Monteith model. Vegetation cover is represented in all mentioned methods by albedo maps derived from the land use grid map. Together with Digital elevation model (DEM) it is the main input value to the SOLEI model. Albedo coefficients influence mainly solar energy income to the slopes. Because the Simple regression model and Radiation model by FAO are mainly based on solar energy income, the shapes of calculated spatial evapotranspiration patterns are similar to solar energy spatial maps. Results obtained from PenmanMonteith model are more closed to vegetation maps.