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Regional Evaluation of Evapotranspiration in the Everglades

Fact Sheet 168-96
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs16896

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Abstract

Understanding the water budget of the Everglades system is crucial to the success of restoration and management strategies. Although the water budget is simple in concept, it is difficult to assess quantitatively. Models used to simulate changes in water levels and vegetation resulting from management strategies need to accurately simulate all components of the water budget.

One of the most important components of the Everglades water budget is evapotranspiration (ET). ET is water removed from the surface and soils by direct evaporation and plant transpiration. In South Florida, ET rates may exceed 40 in/yr (inches per year) on the average; during dry years, the ET could exceed rainfall (about 50 in/yr). Thus, most of the water that falls on the land surface as rainfall is returned to the atmosphere by ET. Despite the importance of ET in the Everglades water budget, our knowledge of ET is, at present, only semi-quantitative. Recent advances in instrumentation and measurement techniques have made it possible to continuously measure ET, so that an accurate evaluation of ET in the Everglades can be made.

Suggested Citation

German, E.R., 1996, Regional evaluation of evapotranspiration in the Everglades: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 1996–168, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs16896.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Issue
  • Methods
  • Location of Study Sites
  • Project Timeline
  • References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Regional evaluation of evapotranspiration in the Everglades
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 168-96
DOI 10.3133/fs16896
Year Published 1996
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) South Florida Information Access, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
Description 4 p.
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Everglades
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details