Abstract
Temporal and spatial variations in reference evapotranspiration (ET0) from 1980 to 2012 were investigated for 33 meteorological stations in the three-river source region (TRSR). Penman–Monteith reference evapotranspiration in the TRSR significantly decreased at a rate of 0.91 mm a−2 from 1980 to 2012, and the decrease was actually an offset of the positive effect of increasing air temperature on ET0 and the negative effect of decreasing net radiation, wind speed, and actual vapor pressure. A differential equation method based on the Penman–Monteith formula was used to attribute the change in ET0. As for the decrease of reference evapotranspiration from 1980 to 2012, the contributions of net radiation, wind speed, actual vapor pressure, and air temperature were −0.57, −0.49, −0.26, +0.41 mm a−2, respectively. Thus, ‘net radiation decrease’ was the major reason for the decrease in ET0 for the TRSR. In addition, it appears that the change in ET0 was more sensitive to meteorological variables in high-elevation regions than in low-elevation regions.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
