Comparison between energy balance and mass balance models for actual evapotranspiration assessment

The assessment of the water needs for a specific crop has a fundamental importance in the management of water resources. The application of empirical models able to retrieve estimates of the actual evapotranspiration (ETa) to assess the need for water could give a valid tool for the planning of water supply, avoiding unnecessary water losses. In this context, two independent models for estimating actual evapotranspiration were compared. The first model is based on an energy balance and uses remotely sensed data and ancillary data from weather stations to assess the ETa. The second model also uses remotely sensed data and climatic data on a daily basis from a weather network. Field measureme…