From Standard Weather Stations to Virtual Micro-Meteorological Towers in Ungauged Sites: Modeling Tool for Surface Energy Fluxes, Evapotranspiration, Soil Temperature, and Soil Moisture Estimations

One of the benefits of training a process-based, land surface model is the capacity to use it in ungauged sites as a complement to standard weather stations for predicting energy fluxes, evapotranspiration, and surface and root-zone soil temperature and moisture. In this study, dynamic (i.e., time-evolving) vegetation parameters were derived from remotely sensed Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery and coupled with a physics-based land surface model (tin-based Real-time Integrated Basin Simulator (tRIBS)) at four eddy covariance (EC) sites in south-central U.S. to test the predictability of micro-meteorological, soil-related, and energy flux-related variables. One cropland and one grassland EC site in northern Oklahoma, USA, were used to tune the model with respect to energy fluxes, soil temperature, and moisture. Calibrated model parameters, mostly related to the soil, were then transferred to two other EC sites in Oklahoma with similar soil and vegetation types. New dynamic vegetation parameter time series were updated according to MODIS imagery at each site. Overall, the tRIBS model captured both seasonal and diurnal cycles of the energy partitioning and soil temperatures across all four stations, as indicated by the model assessment metrics, although large uncertainties appeared in the prediction of ground heat flux, surface, and root-zone soil moisture at some stations. The transferability of previously calibrated model parameters and the use of MODIS to derive dynamic vegetation parameters enabled rapid yet reasonable predictions. The model was proven to be a convenient complement to standard weather stations particularly for sites where eddy covariance or similar equipment is not available.

Automated summary

This study utilized dynamic vegetation parameters derived from MODIS imagery and coupled with a physics-based land surface model to predict micro-meteorological, soil-related, and energy flux-related variables. The model showed reasonable predictions for energy fluxes, soil temperature, and moisture, making it a convenient complement to standard weather stations in ungauged sites.