Assessing deficiencies in remotely sensed actual evapotranspiration (AET): introducing AET signatures

Abstract

Abstract. Hydrological signatures are statistical metrics useful to quantify and infer behaviours of hydrological processes, but there has been limited use of signatures for non-streamflow variables, such as actual evapotranspiration (AET). AET signatures can assist in tasks such as evaluating remotely sensed products, diagnosing deficiencies in hydrological models, and improving understanding of hydrological processes, such as the role of AET in driving hydrological drought. This study focuses on first of these three applications. To achieve this, the study proposes eight AET signatures defined at temporal scales from daily to annual. Two remotely sensed AET (AETRS) products are assessed ag..