Estimating sensible heat flux from radiometric temperature over crop canopy

The model devised by Lhommeet al. (1988) allows one to calculate the sensible heat flux over a homogeneous crop canopy from radiometric surface temperature by adding a so-called canopy aerodynamic resistance to the classical aerodynamic resistance calculated above the canopy. This model is reformulated in order to simplify the mathematical procedure needed to calculate this additional resistance. Analytical expressions of micrometeorological profiles within the canopy are introduced. Assuming a constant leaf area density, an analytical expression of canopy aerodynamic resistance is inferred, which is a function of wind velocity, inclination angle of the radiometer and crop characteristics such as crop height, leaf area index, inclination index of the foliage and leaf width. Sensitivity of this resistance to the different parameters is investigated. The most significant are wind velocity and LAI. Finally, the predictions of the model are tested against two sets of measurements obtained for two different crops, potato and maize.