Estimation of evaporation from arid-irrigated region using MODIS satellite imagery

For sustainable development of irrigated agriculture in arid regions, improvement of water use efficiency is essentially required to maintain current production levels and meet food and fiber for population growth in future. To achieve high water use efficiency, a key consideration is to reduce unnecessary soil water loss due to evaporation. In this article, regional daily evaporation over Hetao Irrigation District in a typical arid region during the irrigation period of 2009 was determined by a developed maximum surface temperature model combining Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite imagery. The results showed that maximum land surface temperature (LST) from MODIS satellite imagery was relatively higher in the western and middle parts than that of the eastern part of the district. At the same time, the mean minimum LST was shown somewhat higher in the eastern part. Mean daily evaporation was relatively higher in the eastern part, which showed water consuming is higher in the eastern part of the district. During the irrigation period of 2009, the total income water (irrigation water and rainfall) amount is 590.3 mm, and the outcome water (drainage discharge and evaporation) amount is 497.5 mm. The surplus of 92.8 mm in the irrigated season is considered to be consumed in winter season. Throughout the irrigated season, income and outcome almost equals each other. The daily evaporation distribution map could specify particular water consuming areas over the district where high daily evaporation may be occurred.