EvapoCalc: An Android Application to Estimate Evapotranspiration by Different Methods

Abstract

The evapotranspiration consists of counting all the water on the surface of the earth lost to the atmosphere, through evaporation and transpiration. The evapotranspiration can be estimated from evaporimeters and lysimeters (direct methods) and empirical and semi-empirical models (indirect methods). Some models have been developed for semiarid regions such as the Blaney-Criddle and the Hargreaves-Samani, and other models for temperate climates, such as the Thornthwaite model. The Penman-Monteith model, recommended by the UN-FAO, is the most accurate estimating method for evapotranspiration. A determination of evapotranspiration is essential for irrigation management, to plan system and develop irrigation schedules. The present work aims to develop a tool for mobile devices to estimate evapotranspiration through models, with the help of a GPS receiver, and that allows the comparison of the different models with the FAO standard estimation method. The app is available on Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thunkable.android.diogo_borbar.Eva poCalc.Engineering