Regional-Specific Numerical Models of Evapotranspiration Using Gene-Expression Programming Interface in Sahel

An accurate and simple Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) numerical model eases to use for supporting irrigation planning and its effective management is highly desired in Sahelian regions. This paper investigates the performance ability of the Gene-expression Programming (GEP) for modeling ETo using decadal climatic data from a Sahelian country; Burkina Faso. For the study; important data are collected from six synoptic meteorological stations located in different regions; Gaoua, Pô, Boromo, Ouahigouya, Bogandé and Dori. The climatic data combinations are used as inputs to develop the GEP models at regional-specific data basis for estimating ETo. GEP performances are evaluated with the root mean square error (RMSE), and coefficient of correlation (R) between estimated and targeted Penman-Monteith FAO56 set as the true reference values. Obviously; from the statistical viewpoint; GEP computing technique has showed a good ability for providing numerical models on a regional data basis. The performances of GEP based on temperatures data are quite good able to substitute empirical equations at regional level to some extent. It is found that the models with wind velocity yield high accuracies by causing radical improve of the performances with R<Superscript>2</Superscript> (0.925-0.961) and RMSE (0.131-0.272 mm day<Superscript>-1</Superscript>); while relative humidity may cause only (R<Superscript>2</Superscript> = 0.801-0.933 and RMSE = 0.370-0.578 mm day<Superscript>-1</Superscript>). Statistically; GEP is an effectual modeling tool for computing successfully evapotranspiration in Sahel. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2012