Zhang et al. (2026) Contrasting Performance of Empirical Reference Evapotranspiration Models in Different Climatic Regions of China

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Identification

• Journal: International Journal of Climatology
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-08-25
• Authors: Yaling Zhang, Lu Zhao, Li Guo, Cun Zhan, Shouzheng Jiang, Qingyan He, Renjuan WEI, Chuan Liang
• DOI: 10.1002/joc.70565

Research Groups

• Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of China

Short Summary

This study evaluates and compares the performance of 35 empirical reference evapotranspiration (ET0) models across four climatic regions in China, identifying suitable models for ET0 estimation based on data availability.

Objective

• Investigate the applicability and accuracy of various empirical ET0 models under different climatic conditions

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Four climatic regions in China: temperate monsoon (I), temperate continental (II), mountain plateau (III), and subtropical monsoon (IV) regions.
• Temporal Scale: Daily data from 1994 to 2016.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: 35 empirical ET0 models, including temperature-based, radiation-based, mass transfer-based, and combined models.
• Data sources: Daily meteorological data, including global solar radiation (Rs), from the measured data during 1994–2016.

Main Results

• Combined models achieved the most accurate ET0 estimates, followed by radiation-, temperature-, and mass transfer-based models.
• Regionally, the best-performing models varied: FAO24 radiation formula in region I, combined Pen63 formula in regions II, III, and IV.

Contributions

• This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of empirical ET0 models under diverse climatic conditions, offering flexible choices for ET0 calculation based on data availability.
• The results contribute to the development of more accurate and reliable methods for agricultural irrigation design and regional water resources allocation.

Funding

• National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51579201)
• Chinese Ministry of Water Resources (Grant No. 201501012)

Citation

@article{Zhang2026Contrasting,
  author = {Zhang, Yaling and Zhao, Lu and Guo, Li and Zhan, Cun and Jiang, Shouzheng and He, Qingyan and WEI, Renjuan and Liang, Chuan},
  title = {Contrasting Performance of Empirical Reference Evapotranspiration Models in Different Climatic Regions of China},
  journal = {International Journal of Climatology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1002/joc.70565},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.70565}
}