This study investigated the spatial distribution and driving factors of evapotranspiration (ET) in the Kuye River Basin during the 2023 growing season. Landsat 8 remote sensing imagery and meteorological data were used to estimate ET based on the surface energy balance system (SEBS) model, and the results were evaluated against reference evapotranspiration calculated using the Penman-Monteith model. The results revealed pronounced spatial and temporal variations in ET throughout the growing season. Spatially, ET generally increased from the northwest to the southeast of the basin. Temporally, ET exhibited a typical unimodal pattern, reaching its peak in July with a maximum daily value of 6.7 mm/d. Significant differences in ET were observed among land use types, with higher values in cropland and forest land, moderate values in built-up land, and lower values in grassland and unused land. Single-factor analysis showed that wind speed (q = 0.336), sunshine duration (q = 0.334), specific humidity (q = 0.323), and temperature (q = 0.301) were the dominant factors controlling the spatial variability of ET. Interaction analysis further indicated that the interaction between vegetation cover and wind speed exerted the strongest enhancing effect on ET. These findings provide a scientific basis for water resource management and ecological restoration zoning in the Kuye River Basin.
Fan et al. (Thu,) studied this question.