Evapotranspiration Estimation for Data‐Short Environment

Abstract

Evapotranspiration (ET) estimation has not been made for certain parts of the world, partially because some basic climatological data are not available. One alternative is to adopt the available ET data directly from other areas where crop and climatic conditions are similar. Another is to use synthetic data to estimate the ET using the conventional methods of Penman (PEMM), the original Blaney‐Criddle (BCOF), Blaney‐Criddle modified by Shih (BCMS), Blaney‐Criddle modified by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (BCMF), or Thornthwaite (THNM). The Everglades Agricultural Area and Puerto Rico were used to exemplify the application. The results showed that both alternatives are feasible to estimate the ET for an area that is short on data. If the generated climatic data are still insufficient to implement the PEMM in Puerto Rico, the preferred conventional methods are, in descending order, BCMS, BCMF, BCOF, and THNM.