Application of the Reciprocal Analysis for Sensible and Latent Heat Fluxes with Evapotranspiration at a Humid Region

Evapotranspiration acts an important role in hydrologic cycle and water resources planning. But the estimation issue still remains until nowadays. This research attempts to make clear this problem by the following way. In a humid region, by applying the Bowen ratio concept and optimum procedure on the soil surface, sensible and latent heat fluxes are estimated using net radiation (Rn) and heat flux into the ground (G). The method uses air temperature and humidity at a single height by reciprocally determining the soil surface temperature (Ts) and the relative humidity (rehs). This feature can be remarkably extended to the utilization. The validity of the method is confirmed by comparing of observed and estimated latent (lE) and sensible heat flux (H) using the eddy covariance method. The hourly change of the lE, H, Ts and rehs on the soil surface, yearly change of lE and H and relationship of estimated lE and H versus observed are clarified. Furthermore, monthly evapotranspiration is estimated from the lE. The research was conducted using hourly data of FLUXNET at a site of Japan, three sites of the United States and two sites of Europe in humid regions having over 1000 mm of annual precipitation.