Estimation of the regional evaporative fraction over the Tibetan Plateau area by using Landsat-7 ETM data and the field observations

This study proposed a parameterization methodology based on Landsat-7 ETM data and field observations and tested it for deriving an evaporative fraction (EF) over a heterogeneous landscape. As a case study, the methodology was applied to the experimental area of CAMP/Tibet located on the central Tibetan Plateau. Four scenes of Landsat-7 ETM data were used in the study. Scenes of 9 June 2002 and 28 August 2002 were selected as case examples of summer and autumn, respectively; the scene of 2 December 2002 was selected as a winter case; and 24 March 2003 was selected as a spring case (or pre-monsoon period). To validate the proposed methodology, the Landsat-7 ETM derived EFs were compared to ground-measured values in four different months that spanned a wide range of surface conditions and surface features. This comparison revealed that the predictions were in good accordance with the ground measurements with absolute percent differences of less than 9.5%. It was concluded that the proposed methodology successfully facilitates the retrieval of EF using Landsat-7 ETM data and field observations over the study area.