6. Measurement of Evapotranspiration

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is a lysimeter used for?

   Hint

   Think about the purpose of measuring water loss from plants.

2. 2.

   Name one indirect method of measuring evapotranspiration.

   Hint

   Recall the methods discussed that use climatic data.

3. 3.

   What does a lysimeter measure?

   • Evaporation from lakes
   • Evapotranspiration from soil-vegetation units
   • Soil moisture

   Hint

   Remember its primary purpose.

4. 4.

   The Penman-Monteith equation is used for what?

   • Calculating soil moisture
   • Estimating reference evapotranspiration
   • Measuring rainfall

   Hint

   Think about what data is needed for this estimate.

5. 5.

   A researcher has data for temperature and crop coefficients over a growing season for a specific crop. Calculate the potential evapotranspiration using the Blaney-Criddle method.

   Hint

   Focus on how monthly averages could impact your calculations.

6. 6.

   Design a study that compares the effectiveness of lysimeter measurements versus Penman-Monteith estimations in a semi-arid region with limited climate data.

   Hint

   Consider how environmental variations might influence your findings.