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A Comparison Between Conventional and M5 Model Tree Methods for Converting Pan Evaporation to Reference Evapotranspiration for Semi-Arid Region

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Abstract

In this study, the performance of M5 model tree and conventional method for converting pan evaporation data (Ep) to reference evapotranspiration (ET0) were assessed in semi-arid regions. Conventional method uses pan coefficient (Kp) as a factor to convert Ep to ET0. Two common Kp equations for pans with dry fetch (Allen et al. 1998; Abdel-Wahed and Snyder in J Irrig Drain Eng 134(4):425–429, 2008) were considered for the comparison. The values of ET0 derived using these three methods were compared to those estimated using the reference FAO Penmane Monteith (FAO-PM) method under semi-arid conditions of the Khuzestan plain (Southwest Iran). The results showed that the M5 model is the best one to estimate ET0 over test sites (0.5 mm d−1 of root mean square error (RMSE) and 0.98 of coefficient of determination (R 2). Conversely, the performance of the two Kp equations was poor.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Irrigation and drainage Engineering, abouraihan Campus, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Ali Rahimikhoob, Maryam Asadi & Mahmood Mashal

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  1. Ali Rahimikhoob
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  2. Maryam Asadi
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  3. Mahmood Mashal
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Correspondence to Ali Rahimikhoob.

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Rahimikhoob, A., Asadi, M. & Mashal, M. A Comparison Between Conventional and M5 Model Tree Methods for Converting Pan Evaporation to Reference Evapotranspiration for Semi-Arid Region. Water Resour Manage 27, 4815–4826 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-013-0440-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-013-0440-y

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