1. What Is Actual Evapotranspiration?

Actual Evapotranspiration is the quantity of water that is actually removed from a surface due to the processes of evaporation and transpiration. It represents the real water loss from land surfaces to the atmosphere.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( E_{act} \) — Actual Evapotranspiration (Cubic Meter per Second)
• \( PET \) — Daily Potential Evapotranspiration (Cubic Meter per Second)
• \( AI \) — Aridity Index (dimensionless)

Explanation: The formula calculates actual evapotranspiration by adjusting potential evapotranspiration based on the aridity index, which represents the degree of dryness of the climate.

3. Importance Of Actual Evapotranspiration Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation of actual evapotranspiration is crucial for water resource management, agricultural planning, irrigation scheduling, and climate studies. It helps in understanding the water balance of ecosystems and predicting water availability.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter Daily Potential Evapotranspiration in Cubic Meter per Second and Aridity Index as a dimensionless value. Both values must be valid (PET > 0, AI ≥ 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between potential and actual evapotranspiration?
A: Potential evapotranspiration represents the maximum possible water loss under ideal conditions, while actual evapotranspiration is the real water loss limited by water availability and environmental factors.

Q2: How is aridity index determined?
A: Aridity Index is a numerical indicator of the degree of dryness of the climate at a given location, typically calculated as the ratio of precipitation to potential evapotranspiration.

Q3: What are typical values for actual evapotranspiration?
A: Values vary widely depending on climate, vegetation, and soil conditions. In arid regions, actual evapotranspiration may be significantly lower than potential evapotranspiration.

Q4: What are the limitations of this calculation method?
A: This simplified approach may not account for all environmental factors affecting evapotranspiration, such as soil moisture content, vegetation type, and microclimatic variations.

Q5: How often should evapotranspiration be calculated?
A: Frequency depends on the application. For agricultural purposes, daily calculations are common, while for climate studies, monthly or seasonal averages may be more appropriate.