Evapotranspiration (ET) in woodlands consisted of overstorey transpiration (tree canopy), understorey ET (ground vegetation and soil), and canopy interception evaporation. These components differed in spatial and temporal patterns, particularly in riverine woodlands where understorey ET varied significantly with overstorey density. A recent MDBA project mapped understorey ET in River Red Gum (RRG) and Black Box (BB) woodlands on the River Murray floodplain using a thermodynamically based MEP model. Sap flow monitoring was conducted concurrently to estimate overstorey transpiration. This project developed a new method to map spatially distributed overstorey transpiration by upscaling sap flow data and integrating it with high-resolution thermal imagery. The aim was to produce comprehensive all-storey ET maps that accounted for water stress variability across the floodplain. Key objectives included modelling tree transpiration under varying water availability, mapping overstorey transpiration, comparing seasonal ET dynamics, and assessing flood responses in RRG and BB woodlands.
