Testing the maximum entropy production approach for estimating evapotranspiration from closed canopy shrubland in a low‐energy humid environment. Issue 25 (26th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Hailong; Tetzlaff, Doerthe; Soulsby, Chris
• Is Part Of: Hydrological processes. Volume 31:Issue 25(2017)
• Page Start: 4613
• Page End: 4621
• Publication Date: 2017-10-26
• Subjects: climate change -- evapotranspiration -- interception -- maximum entropy production -- northern uplands -- water balance; Hydrology -- Periodicals; Hydrology -- Research -- Periodicals; Hydrologic models -- Periodicals; Hydrological forecasting -- Periodicals; 631.432
• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.11363
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6087

Abstract

Abstract: Quantifying and partitioning evapotranspiration ( ET ) into evaporation and transpiration is challenging but important for interpreting vegetation effects on the water balance. We applied a model based on the theory of maximum entropy production to estimate ET for shrubs for the first time in a low‐energy humid headwater catchment in the Scottish Highlands. In total, 53% of rainfall over the growing season was returned to the atmosphere through ET (59 ± 2% as transpiration), with 22% of rainfall ascribed to interception loss and understory ET . The remainder of rainfall percolated below the rooting zone. The maximum entropy production model showed good capability for total ET estimation, in addition to providing a first approximation for distinguishing evaporation and transpiration in such ecosystems. This study shows that this simple and low‐cost approach has potential for local to regional ET estimation with availability of high‐resolution hydroclimatic data. Limitations of the approach are also discussed.