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JOURNAL OF DESERT RESEARCH ›› 2016, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (5): 1419-1425.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2015.00115

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Grass Crop Coefficient Based on the Estimated Evapotranspiration at the Subalpine Meadow of the Qilian Mountains

Gao Yunfei1,2, Zhao Chuanyan2,3, Wang Qingtao1, Ge Hongyuan4, Wang Hongyi4, Lin Mei4   

  1. 1. School of Life Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;
    2. State Key Laboratory of Grass land Agro-ecosystems, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;
    3. College of Pastoral Agriculture Scuebce, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;
    4. Sidalong Station, Zhangye Forestry Bureau, Zhangye 734000, Gansu, China
  • Received:2015-06-01 Revised:2015-07-07 Online:2016-09-20 Published:2016-09-20

Abstract: Tianlaochi catchment is located in the upper reaches of the Heihe River Basin. Evapotranspiration of subalpine meadow was observed by micro-lysimeter from 2011 to 2014. Reference evapotranspiration (ET0) of the grass was estimated using the FAO Penman-Monteith model. The daily crop coefficients were calculated by the improved crop coefficient formula in relation to the weather data and the height of the grass., The actual evapotranspiration was calculated by the estimated crop coefficient and reference evapotranspiration, which was tested by the observed evapotranspiration. The results show that the improved crop coefficient formula recommended by FAO is suitable to be used in the study area, the daily ET0 estimated by, FAO Penman-Monteith model ranges from 0.50 to 7.26 mm·d-1, the ET0 has inter-annual difference and the sequence of ET0 in the study period is 2011, 2014, 2012, 2013. From measurement data, we find soil evaporation having a little inter-annual change, that means the transpiration of grass is a key component to control inter-annual different of ET0. From the study, we can draw a conclusion that the actual evapotranspiration of grass in the subalpine meadow can be estimated by crop coefficients and reference evapotranspiration, both depending on weather data which are easily obtained by automatic weather station.

Key words: crop coefficient, evapotranspiration, subalpine meadow, Heihe River

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