An intercomparison of three remote sensing-based energy balance models using Large Aperture Scintillometer measurements over a wheat–corn production region

This paper compares three remote sensing-based models for estimating evapotranspiration (ET), namely the Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS), the Two-Source Energy Balance (TSEB) model, and the surface temperature–vegetation index Triangle (TVT). The models used as input MODIS/TERRA products and ground measurements collected during the wheat and corn growth period in a subhumid climate at a measurement station in Yucheng, China. MODIS land surface temperature (LST) and leaf area index (LAI) products, corrected using ground-truth observations, were used in the three models. The TSEB model output of sensible (H) and latent (LE) heat fluxes were in good agreement with Large Aperture Scintillometer (LAS)-measured H and LE derived by residual (RMSD < 45 W/m2). Reasonable agreement was also obtained with the SEBS model output yielding RMSD for H of ~ 40 W/m2 and LE ~ 55 W/m2. However, the TVT model output resulted in poor agreement with the LAS-estimated H and LE with RMSD-values > 110 W/m2. Using the uncorrected MODIS LST and LAI products resulted in a deterioration of the agreement in H and LE with LAS-estimated values for both the TSEB and SEBS models, whereas TVT performance improved marginally. These results indicate that the TSEB model yielded the closest agreement with the LAS-estimated fluxes using either the corrected or uncorrected MODIS inputs (LST and LAI). The SEBS model also computed reasonable H and LE values but was significantly more sensitive to errors in MODIS LST and LAI inputs than the TSEB model. In the TVT model, output of H and LE was unacceptable in either scenario of MODIS input which was attributable to errors in selection of the dry edge. With the TVT method, accurate determination of the dry edge end member is critical in regional ET estimation, but for humid and subhumid regions this end member may often be quite difficult to identify or encompass within a satellite scene.

► TSEB, SEBS and TVT models are compared with LAS measurements at MODIS pixel scale.
► Data used cover a wide range of vegetation cover and soil moisture conditions.
► Footprints of LAS and EC over 33 MODIS clear sky days are estimated.
► TSEB is sensitive to errors in MODIS LAI and LST but has the least sensitivity.
► Ill-defined dry edge in subhumid region causes significant bias in TVT estimation.