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A model of evapotranspiration based on the theory of maximum entropy production
Author(s) -
Wang Jingfeng,
Bras R. L.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2010wr009392
Subject(s) - evapotranspiration , latent heat , sensible heat , environmental science , transpiration , entropy production , potential evaporation , energy balance , bowen ratio , principle of maximum entropy , soil science , hydrology (agriculture) , atmospheric sciences , mathematics , thermodynamics , physics , photosynthesis , geotechnical engineering , chemistry , geology , ecology , statistics , biology , biochemistry
Building on a proof‐of‐concept study of energy balance over dry soil, a model of evapotranspiration is proposed based on the theory of maximum entropy production (MEP). The MEP formalism leads to an analytical solution of evaporation rate (latent heat flux), together with sensible and ground heat fluxes, as a function of surface soil temperature, surface humidity, and net radiation. The model covers the entire range of soil wetness from dry to saturation. The MEP model of transpiration is formulated as a special case of bare soil evaporation. Test of the MEP model using field observations indicates that the model performs well over bare soil and canopy.