Sensitivity Analysis of FAO Penman-Monteith Equation

Several factors affecting evapotranspiration rate of a region include temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation. The FAO Penman-Monteith method uses all the above four climatic parameters to estimate the potential evapotranspiration. Sensitivity of these parameters is the best tool to find out which parameter has highest effect on evapotranspiration in a specific location in order to take great care in the data collection of such parameters. Sensitivity analysis of FAO Penman-Monteith equation to climatic parameters is very significant to examine the predictable change in evapotranspiration in response to a known change in one of the climatic parameters. Evapotranspiration is monitored by hydrologists, meteorologists and agriculture engineers for future planning. Researchers who working on environment, energy, water, land, earth sciences and climatic change has keen interest in evapotranspiration modeling. Drought is a serious concern for many parts of the world and potential evapotranspiration is a significant consideration for water management specialists.