Surface energy balance and 24-h evapotranspiration on an agricultural landscape with SRF willow in central New York

Abstract

Surface energy balance and 24-h evapotranspiration were mapped on an agricultural landscape with SRF willows using a remote sensing-based model to provide information on the water use by different land cover types. The results demonstrate the influence of land cover and vegetation type on surface energy balance and water losses. The evapotranspiration from forests was much higher than for other land cover types, corresponding to the significant cooling of the land surface. The SRF willow plantings were on average 3.6 °C cooler than the surrounding grassy areas; the 24-hour evapotranspiration from willows was 1.6 times higher than the evapotranspiration from surrounding grass, but lower than evapotranspiration from the forests. The possibility of changes in evapotranspiration patterns, local climate, and regional water balance with increasing acreage in SRF crop are discussed.