Large-Scale Water Productivity Assessments with MODIS Images in a Changing Semi-Arid Environment: A Brazilian Case Study

In the Brazilian semi-arid region, the intensification of agriculture results in a change of natural vegetation by irrigated crops. To quantify the contrast between these two ecosystems, the large-scale values of water productivity components were modelled in Petrolina (PE) and Juazeiro (BA) municip...

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Main Authors: Morris Scherer-Warren, Fernando B.T. Hernandez, Ricardo G. Andrade, Janice F. Leivas, Antônio H. de C. Teixeira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2013-11-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/5/11/5783
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author Morris Scherer-Warren
Fernando B.T. Hernandez
Ricardo G. Andrade
Janice F. Leivas
Antônio H. de C. Teixeira
author_facet Morris Scherer-Warren
Fernando B.T. Hernandez
Ricardo G. Andrade
Janice F. Leivas
Antônio H. de C. Teixeira
author_sort Morris Scherer-Warren
collection DOAJ
description In the Brazilian semi-arid region, the intensification of agriculture results in a change of natural vegetation by irrigated crops. To quantify the contrast between these two ecosystems, the large-scale values of water productivity components were modelled in Petrolina (PE) and Juazeiro (BA) municipalities. The SAFER (Simple Algorithm For Evapotranspiration Retrieving) algorithm was used to acquire evapotranspiration (ET), while the Monteith's radiation model was applied for estimating the biomass production (BIO). Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite images were used together with agro-meteorological data. In Petrolina and Juazeiro, the mean monthly ET values for irrigated crops were 938 and 739 mm∙month−1, with the corresponding ones for natural vegetation of 385 and 194 mm∙month−1.Water productivity (WP) was analysed by the ratio of BIO to ET, defined here as the ratio of the net benefits from the mixed agricultural systems to the amount of water required for producing those benefits. The highest incremental WP values, as a result of the irrigated crops introduction, happened outside the rainy period. More spatial WP uniformity occurred in natural vegetation, when comparing with irrigated crops. The most frequent WP values in Petrolina were between 1.6 and 2.2 kg∙m−3 while in Juazeiro this range was from 1.0 to 1.6 kg∙m−3. The differences between the municipalities can be mainly explained by differences in precipitation and soil water storages conditions, promoting better rainfall use efficiency by the natural vegetation in the first one. The results of the current research are important for appraising the land use change impacts in situations of expanding irrigation areas.
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spelling doaj.art-d6494fcde9694265983504a9297602152022-12-21T23:49:51ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922013-11-015115783580410.3390/rs5115783Large-Scale Water Productivity Assessments with MODIS Images in a Changing Semi-Arid Environment: A Brazilian Case StudyMorris Scherer-WarrenFernando B.T. HernandezRicardo G. AndradeJanice F. LeivasAntônio H. de C. TeixeiraIn the Brazilian semi-arid region, the intensification of agriculture results in a change of natural vegetation by irrigated crops. To quantify the contrast between these two ecosystems, the large-scale values of water productivity components were modelled in Petrolina (PE) and Juazeiro (BA) municipalities. The SAFER (Simple Algorithm For Evapotranspiration Retrieving) algorithm was used to acquire evapotranspiration (ET), while the Monteith's radiation model was applied for estimating the biomass production (BIO). Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite images were used together with agro-meteorological data. In Petrolina and Juazeiro, the mean monthly ET values for irrigated crops were 938 and 739 mm∙month−1, with the corresponding ones for natural vegetation of 385 and 194 mm∙month−1.Water productivity (WP) was analysed by the ratio of BIO to ET, defined here as the ratio of the net benefits from the mixed agricultural systems to the amount of water required for producing those benefits. The highest incremental WP values, as a result of the irrigated crops introduction, happened outside the rainy period. More spatial WP uniformity occurred in natural vegetation, when comparing with irrigated crops. The most frequent WP values in Petrolina were between 1.6 and 2.2 kg∙m−3 while in Juazeiro this range was from 1.0 to 1.6 kg∙m−3. The differences between the municipalities can be mainly explained by differences in precipitation and soil water storages conditions, promoting better rainfall use efficiency by the natural vegetation in the first one. The results of the current research are important for appraising the land use change impacts in situations of expanding irrigation areas.http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/5/11/5783evapotranspirationbiomass productionnet radiationsurface resistance
spellingShingle Morris Scherer-Warren
Fernando B.T. Hernandez
Ricardo G. Andrade
Janice F. Leivas
Antônio H. de C. Teixeira
Large-Scale Water Productivity Assessments with MODIS Images in a Changing Semi-Arid Environment: A Brazilian Case Study
Remote Sensing
evapotranspiration
biomass production
net radiation
surface resistance
title Large-Scale Water Productivity Assessments with MODIS Images in a Changing Semi-Arid Environment: A Brazilian Case Study
title_full Large-Scale Water Productivity Assessments with MODIS Images in a Changing Semi-Arid Environment: A Brazilian Case Study
title_fullStr Large-Scale Water Productivity Assessments with MODIS Images in a Changing Semi-Arid Environment: A Brazilian Case Study
title_full_unstemmed Large-Scale Water Productivity Assessments with MODIS Images in a Changing Semi-Arid Environment: A Brazilian Case Study
title_short Large-Scale Water Productivity Assessments with MODIS Images in a Changing Semi-Arid Environment: A Brazilian Case Study
title_sort large scale water productivity assessments with modis images in a changing semi arid environment a brazilian case study
topic evapotranspiration
biomass production
net radiation
surface resistance
url http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/5/11/5783
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