title: Uncertainties in transpiration estimates.
abstract: arising from S. Jasechko et al. Nature 496, 347-350 (2013)10.1038/nature11983How best to assess the respective importance of plant transpiration over evaporation from open waters, soils and short-term storage such as tree canopies and understories (interception) has long been debated. On the basis of data from lake catchments, Jasechko et al. conclude that transpiration accounts for 80-90% of total land evaporation globally (Fig. 1a). However, another choice of input data, together with more conservative accounting of the related uncertainties, reduces and widens the transpiration ratio estimation to 35-80%. Hence, climate models do not necessarily conflict with observations, but more measurements on the catchment scale are needed to reduce the uncertainty range. There is a Reply to this Brief Communications Arising by Jasechko, S. et al. Nature 506, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature12926 (2014).
authors: Water Resources Section, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands.
authors: A M J
authors: AM
authors: Coenders-Gerrits
authors: Water Resources Section, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands.
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: van der Ent
authors: Water Resources Section, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands.
authors: T A
authors: TA
authors: Bogaard
authors: 1] Water Resources Section, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands [2] Stockholm Resilience Centre, Kräftriket 2, SE 10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Wang-Erlandsson
authors: Water Resources Section, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hrachowitz
authors: Water Resources Section, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands.
authors: H H G
authors: HH
authors: Savenije
mesh_terms: D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis*; D018526:Plant Transpiration / Q000502:physiology*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D014872:Water Movements