Characteristics of the spatial and temporal distribution for regional evapotranspiration in the Yellow River Delta based on MODIS data

Estimation of land surface evapotranspiration (ET) is one of the most difficult tasks in the field of hydrology and water resources. In this study, ET in the Yellow River Delta is estimated using remote sensing techniques, which own the characteristics of high efficiency, precision, large-scale and visualization. The Yellow River Delta has a specific geographic feature and it is an important petroleum production base in China. However, the health of ecosystem in this region is just enduring severe water resources stress. Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS）model being an applicable model with good theoretic basis to estimate land surface ET with less meteorological data requirement, is used to estimate land surface ET in the Yellow River Delta on the basis of MODIS data. Results show that annual ET is single-peak distributed in month scale with a well seasonal variation. Spatially, ET in southern areas is generally greater than that in northern areas remarkably influenced by human-being activities. Results of water deficit analysis show that ET in spring and autumn is relatively higher than that in natural precipitation with greater irrigation requirement, and water supply in this period has greater importance for both agriculture and ecology development.