Complementary-relationship-based evapotranspiration mapping (cremap) technique for Hungary

Abstract

Monthly areal evapotranspiration (ET) rates for 2000-2008 are mapped for Hungary at a spatial scale of about 1-km with the help of MODIS daytime land surface temperature as well as sunshine duration, air temperature and humidity data. Mapping is achieved by a linear transformation of the MODIS daytime land surface temperature values employing the complementary relationship of evaporation. Validation of the ET rates has been performed with the help of eddy-covariance measurements. The calibration-free CREMAP method is very simple, easy to implement, requires minimal data and works accurately when conditions for the complementary relationship are met. The resulting maps testify that the spatial structure of ET is much more intricate than what has been captured in previous generalized ET maps.