Intercomparison of multisource actual evapotranspiration satellite products in Bilate watershed, Ethiopia

Abstract

Recent advancements in satellite remote sensing have led to increased spatial and temporal resolution of actual evapotranspiration (AET) estimates across scales. Yet, the accuracy of AET products remains unknown for many regions, prompting further investigation to guide selection. This study intercompares five AET products within Ethiopia’s Bilate watershed, focusing on the 2009-2018 period. The products assessed include TerraClimate, Food and Agriculture Organization Water Productivity (FAO WaPOR), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance (ModisSSEBop), and Synthesis of Global AET. Reference evapotranspiration estimated using ground station climate data served as a basis for comparing the Satellite Products (SP). The intercomparison was conducted using descriptive statistics, scatter plots and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient to assess correlation, standard deviation, and root mean square error. Additional error statistics were also considered. Findings reveal higher AET values in the highlands compared to the lowlands of the Bilate watershed. A weak correlation (<0.35) exists between ETo and satellite-derived AET, potentially due to the averaging of AET values across diverse land cover classes, contrasting with point-scale reference measurements. The variance among AET products was varied across seasons and elevation ranges. While the annual patterns of AET were consistent across the products, large discrepancies in magnitude (average AET varies from 25 to 83 mm per month in the lower part) were detected. The ModisSSEBop global and continental products showed minimal mismatches, whereas the Synthesis of Global and FAO WaPOR products displayed slight differences. Notably, the FAO WaPOR’s AET estimates showed relatively closer agreement with many products in terms of magnitude and variability of AET. In conclusion, the study highlights significant random and systematic differences between the AET products. The substantial mismatch between the products underscores the necessity for continued research to refine AET product accuracy through improved input dataset and revisiting the algorithms.