Gonçalves et al. (2025) Assessing Riparian Evapotranspiration Dynamics in a Water Conflict Region in Nebraska, USA

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Water
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-10-13
• Authors: Ivo Zution Gonçalves, J. Burdette Barker, Christopher M. U. Neale, Derrel L. Martin, Sami Akasheh
• DOI: 10.3390/w17202949

Research Groups

[Information not provided in the paper text.]

Short Summary

This study applied a remote sensing-based two-source energy balance model (SETMI) to estimate actual evapotranspiration (ETa) for riparian vegetation in Nebraska, demonstrating its accuracy against eddy covariance field data and its utility for water management. The model successfully quantified ETa, highlighting significant water usage by irrigated crops like corn and soybeans, which directly impacts local water resources.

Objective

• To apply and validate a remote sensing-based methodology, specifically the Spatial EvapoTranspiration Modeling Interface (SETMI) utilizing a two-source energy balance (TSEB) model, for estimating actual evapotranspiration (ETa) in riparian vegetation zones of Nebraska, US, to assist water management and decision-making.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Riparian vegetation in Nebraska, US, focusing on agricultural land covers (e.g., corn, soybeans).
• Temporal Scale: Daily ETa estimations over a six-year period (2008–2013).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Two-source energy balance model (TSEB), implemented through the Spatial EvapoTranspiration Modeling Interface (SETMI).
• Data sources: Remote sensing data for ETa estimation; field data from an eddy covariance system (EC) for validation of energy balance components and ETa.

Main Results

• Modeled energy balance components showed a strong correlation with ground data from the eddy covariance system, with ET exhibiting an R² of 0.96 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.73 mm·d⁻¹.
• The lowest adjusted crop coefficient (Kcadj) values were observed in 2012 across all land covers, with a mean value of 0.49.
• The years 2013 and 2012, characterized by dry conditions, recorded the highest accumulated ETa values of 706 mm and 664 mm, respectively.
• Soybeans and corn exhibited the highest ETa values, recording 699 mm and 773 mm, respectively, significantly impacting the Republican River's water source due to irrigation.
• The SETMI model effectively generated appropriate estimated daily ETa values, confirming its utility as a tool for water management.

Contributions

• Presents a validated remote sensing-based methodology (SETMI with TSEB) for accurate daily actual evapotranspiration (ETa) estimation in riparian agricultural regions, offering a practical tool for water resource management.
• Provides quantitative insights into ETa dynamics and crop water use in Nebraska's riparian zones, particularly for major irrigated crops, which is crucial for mitigating water conflicts.
• Demonstrates the high accuracy of the SETMI model against eddy covariance field data, affirming its reliability for operational water management and decision-making.

Funding

[Information not provided in the paper text.]

Citation

@article{Gonçalves2025Assessing,
  author = {Gonçalves, Ivo Zution and Barker, J. Burdette and Neale, Christopher M. U. and Martin, Derrel L. and Akasheh, Sami},
  title = {Assessing Riparian Evapotranspiration Dynamics in a Water Conflict Region in Nebraska, USA},
  journal = {Water},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.3390/w17202949},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/w17202949}
}