An energy budget analysis of water use by Saltcedar

Abstract

Bowen ratio estimates of evapotranspiration (ET) over a stand of saltcedar (Tamarix chinensis) on the Rio Grande floodplain in central New Mexico provide (1) estimates of water use by saltcedar during hot, dry weather, (2) comparisons of ET measured at two different locations within the same stand, and (3) comparison of ET over natural stands with results obtained from four constant‐level lysimeters. The mean ET for 5 consecutive days (June 14–18, 1977) was 8.2 mm d −1 by the Bowen ratio and 7.9 mm d −1 by the lysimeters. Vegetation on the lysimeters and at the Bowen ratio sites differed in density and vigor in a manner consistent with the evapotranspiration measurements. Given these differences, the agreement between methods is judged excellent.