Empirical modeling and spatio-temporal patterns of urban evapotranspiration for the Phoenix metropolitan area, Arizona

In this study, an empirical model for predicting urban evapotranspiration (ET) is examined for the Phoenix metropolitan area that is in a subtropical desert climate using in situ ET measurements from a local flux tower and remotely sensed moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer land products. Annual ET maps of Phoenix are then created for the period from 2001 to 2015 using the empirical model developed. A time-series trend analysis is finally performed using predicted ET maps to discover the spatio-temporal patterns of ET changes during the study period. Results suggest that blue-sky albedo and land surface temperature are two statistically significant variables explanatory to model urban ET for Phoenix. Areas that have experienced significant increases of ET are highly spatially clustered, and are mainly found on the outskirts of the city, while areas of decreasing ET are generally associated with highly developed areas, such as downtown Phoenix.