Evapotranspiration partitioning using an optimality-based ecohydrological model in a semiarid shrubland

Lajiao Chen, Liying Sun, Weijiang Liu, Lizhe Wang, Hui Wu, A. Xing Zhu, Yiqi Luo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Partitioning of evapotranspiration (ET) into biological component transpiration (T) and non-biological component evaporation (E) is crucial in understanding the impact of environmental change on ecosystems and water resources. However, direct measurement of transpiration is still challenging. In this paper, an optimality-based ecohydrological model named Vegetation Optimality Model (VOM) is applied for ET partitioning. The results show that VOM model can reasonably simulate ET and ET components in a semiarid shrubland. Overall, the ratio of transpiration to evapotranspiration is 49% for the whole period. Evaporation and plant transpiration mainly occur in monsoon following the precipitation events. Evaporation responds immediately to precipitation events, while transpiration shows a lagged response of several days to those events. Different years demonstrate different patterns of T/ET ratio dynamic in monsoon. Some of the years show a low T/ET ratio at the beginning of monsoon and slowly increased T/ET ratio. Other years show a high level of T/ET ratio for the whole monsoon. We find out that spring precipitation, especially the size of the precipitation, has a significant influence on the T/ET ratio in monsoon.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1423-1440
Number of pages18
JournalInternational Journal of Digital Earth
Volume12
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2 2019

Keywords

  • ET partitioning
  • VOM
  • optimality-based ecohydrological model
  • semiarid shrubland

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Computer Science Applications
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Evapotranspiration partitioning using an optimality-based ecohydrological model in a semiarid shrubland'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this