Application of Eddy Covariance Technique on Estimation of Seasonal Evapotranspiration in Dry Dipterocarp Forest, Northern Thailand

Abstract

Evapotranspiration (ET) play an important role for water and energy balance in the ecosystem. Understanding of ET pattern and precise estimation are needed for supporting decision-making in water resource and forested watershed management. This study aims to estimate seasonal ET in dry dipterocarp forest catchment, northern Thailand during January to December 2017 by eddy covariance technique. Results reveal the ET was 954.7 mm accounting for 90% of annual rainfall. The ET in wet and dry seasons were 54% and 36% of annual rainfall, respectively. The daily ET in wet and dry seasons were 3.1?0.6 and 2.1?0.5 mm day-1. The soil water content and rainfall were the main factors regulating ET in the dry dipterocarp forest ecosystem.

Keywords: Ecosystem evapotranspiration, Eddy covariance method, Dipterocarp forest

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