Application of the METRIC model for mapping evapotranspiration over the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, India

This study is an attempt to estimate the spatial distribution of daily evapotranspiration (ET) in the Indian part of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve by utilizing the (Mapping Evapo Transpiration at high resolution with internalized Calibration (METRIC) model. Landsat 8 OLI satellite image was used to run the METRIC model and calculate ET to explain the overall surface energy balance in the area under the present climatic conditions. The result obtained shows that, the ET minimum value ranges from 6.874 mm/day in cropland to a maximum of 12.321 mm/day in the forest and water bodies. We used a (ETrF) value of 1 for forests since the forest surface temperature was lower than the air temperature, resulting in a negative sensible heat flow. The use of METRIC energy balancing procedures for validation purposes using Landsat imagery shows that the per hourly, monthly, and yearly ET estimations acquired using MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro radiometer) data may be effectively reproduced. The research includes a novel component that verifies the efficacy of this technique for water conservation, as well as satellite-based technology, which offers effective and efficient tools for integrated evapotranspiration estimation.

Automated summary

This study utilizes the METRIC model to estimate the spatial distribution of daily evapotranspiration in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve in India. The results show that forests and water bodies have the highest evapotranspiration rates, while croplands have the lowest rates. The use of satellite imagery validates the accuracy of the METRIC model and highlights its significance in water conservation and evapotranspiration estimation using satellite technology.