Review of approaches for the estimation of sensible heat flux in remote sensing-based evapotranspiration models

We recapitulate the approaches of sensible heat flux (H) estimation, which is a critical parameter in the remote sensing (RS)-based evapotranspiration (ET) models. We propose a classification scheme for the ET models considering their distinctions in approaches for the estimation of H. Adhering to the proposed classification scheme, the theoretical backgrounds of H estimation in the single-source and two-source RS-based ET models are discussed in brief, along with their unique characteristics. We addressed the role of critical parameters that influenced the H computation under each model and presented the related progress in the research. The importance of data assimilation techniques, as well as the application of un-manned aerial vehicles for the uninterrupted estimation of turbulent heat flux, are discussed in the context of single-source and two-source models. The influence of scale on the validation of the models and the impact of the aggregation methods are discussed. We compared the performance of the popular ET models for the estimation of H, utilizing the information obtained from peer-reviewed articles. The limitations related to the RS datasets in terms of spatial and temporal resolution and the scope of alleviating the shortcomings using the future satellite missions are discussed. We conclude by pointing toward the current challenges and the prospective domain of research, which needs to be addressed critically in the future. (C) 2020 Society of PhotoOptical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)