Evaluation of daily crop reference evapotranspiration and sensitivity analysis of FAO Penman-Monteith equation using ERA5-Land reanalysis database in Sicily, Italy

• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108732
• Publication Date: 2024-02-26T17:05:14Z
• Authors: Matteo Ippolito; Dario De Caro; Marcella Cannarozzo; Giuseppe Provenzano; Giuseppe Ciraolo
• Keywords: Penman–Monteith equation

Crop evapotranspiration (ET) is one of the most important components in many hydrological processes. The crop reference (ETo) represents atmospheric water demand each type, development stage, and management practices. Penman-Monteith equation version suggested by Food Agriculture Organization (FAO56-PM), used methods to estimate ETo. In several regions world, meteorological observations are not always available. recent reanalysis database ERA5-Land, released 2019, can be useful overcome this limit. provides, with a spatial grid 0.1° latitude longitude, hourly climate data such as air temperature, dew point solar radiation, wind speed all at 2.0 m above soil surface, except 10 m, apply FAO56-PM equation. objective research assess quality ERA5-Land variables daily ETo Sicily, Italy. effect weather station's elevation associated statistical indicators was also evaluated verify how morphology affects measurements. Finally, sensitivity analysis carried out identify which have influence on estimation. For period 2006–2015, comparison between global speed, relative humidity, measured from 39 ground stations then, through values were estimated using both databases. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) Bias (MBE) confirm possibility considering suitable solution showed that good estimation depends mainly accuracy humidity temperature data.