Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research and evaluation of Open Evapotranspiration (OpenET) capabilities to enhance the validation, application, and integration of remote sensing ET data products for hydrological and agricultural assessments in the southeastern United States. This research will provide an independent evaluation of OpenET’s accuracy across diverse land-use conditions as well as for estimating irrigation demand critical for improving water allocation and drought response strategies. In coordination with the USGS, objectives will support integration of OpenET into drought and water resource management frameworks to provide actionable insights for decision-makers and the development of more resilient and data-driven approaches for water sustainability in the Southeast. Research Objectives: Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of satellite-based OpenET data in the southeastern U.S. through model intercomparison, in situ validation, and uncertainty analysis with respect to cloud-affected conditions. Assess OpenET’s potential for real-time irrigation monitoring by comparing its ET estimates with soil water balance-derived ET and modeled irrigation demand. Improve drought monitoring capabilities by integrating OpenET into high-resolution Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) calculations and effective precipitation metrics. Develop applied science tools, including high-resolution irrigation maps and enhanced flash drought detection methods using OpenET.Establish regional stakeholder capacity and expand data-sharing efforts by incorporating OpenET into state and Southeast Drought Early Warning System (SE DEWS) drought monitoring and facilitating collaboration on irrigation and crop data.