title: Performance evaluation of the SITE® model to estimate energy flux in a tropical semi-deciduous forest of the southern Amazon Basin.
abstract: The SITE® model was originally developed to study the response of tropical ecosystems to varying environmental conditions. The present study evaluated the applicability of the SITE model to simulation of energy fluxes in a tropical semi-deciduous forest of the southern Amazon Basin. The model was simulated with data representing the wet and dry season, and was calibrated according to each season. The output data of the calibrated model [net radiation (Rn), latent heat flux (LE) and sensible heat flux (H)] were compared with data observed in the field for validation. Considering changes in parameter calibration for a time step simulation of 30 min, the magnitude of variation in temporal flux was satisfactory when compared to observation field data. There was a tendency to underestimate and overestimate LE and H, respectively. Of all the calibration parameters, the soil moisture parameter presented the highest variation over the seasons, thus influencing SITE model performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. luciana.sanches@pq.cnpq.br
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanches
authors.forename: Nara Luísa Reis
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.forename: Marcos Heil
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Marcelo de Carvalho
authors.initials: Mde C
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Denilton
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaio
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D002138:Calibration; D017753:Ecosystem; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006813:Humidity; D008954:Models, Biological; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014197:Trees / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D012987:Soil