U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Anderson, Marthaitem
                                            Kustas, William

                                                         - *Bill*item
                                            HAIN, CHRISTOPHER - University Of Alabamaitem
                                            MECIKALSKI, JOHN - University Of Alabama
  Submitted to: Association of American Geographers
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 3/26/2010
                                    Publication  Date: 4/14/2010
                                    Citation: Anderson, M.C., Kustas, W.P., Hain, C.H., Mecikalski, J.R. 2010. A satellite-based drought product using theermal remote sensing of evapotranspiration [abstract]. Association of American Geographers. Abstract 31486.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: 
Thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing of land-surface temperature (LST) provides valuable information about the sub-surface moisture status: soil surface temperature increases with decreasing water content, while moisture depletion in the plant root zone leads to stomatal closure, reduced transpiration, and elevated canopy temperatures.  In this paper, a satellite-based methodology for routine drought monitoring will be described using continental-scale maps of evapotranspiration (ET) obtained with a TIR-based surface energy balance model.  In this approach, moisture stress is quantified in terms of the reduction of ET from the potential rate (PET) expected under non-moisture limiting conditions.  

The Atmosphere-Land Exchange Inverse (ALEXI) model is used to map land-surface water and energy fluxes across the continental U.S. at 5-10km resolution using TIR imagery from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES).  A derived Evaporative Stress Index (ESI), given by 1-ET/PET, shows good correspondence with standard drought metrics and with patterns of antecedent precipitation, but at significantly higher spatial resolution due to limited reliance on ground observations. The ALEXI ESI algorithm does not require precipitation or soil texture information, unlike the Palmer Drought Index, the Standardized Precipitation Index, and other drought indices based on rainfall or soil water balance.  Being an independent means for assessing drought conditions, the ESI has significant potential for enhancing the existing suite of drought monitoring products. Work is underway to further evaluate multi-scale ESI implementations over the U.S. and other continents with geostationary satellite coverage.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov