Estimating Riparian and Agricultural ET through Remote Sensing in New Mexico

摘要

Evapotranspirarion (ET) by Riparian vegetation and agricultural crops are major components of hydrologic system along the Rio Grande River in New Mexico. ET data are used for hydrologic modeling, water management, water right adjudication and irrigation scheduling. Traditional methods of estimating ET are limited to small areas, and do not account for spatial variability in vegetation and soil moisture on large scale. The diversity of vegetation and the condition of low moisture availability in the dry climate of New Mexico create a circumstance where the use of traditional techniques in estimating ET in large scale, is economically and physically impossible. The recent innovations in remote sensing technologies have made it possible to create near real time, large scale regional ET maps which could be used for various water management activities.