Evaluation of the potential evapotranspiration in an Atlantic Forest area, Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga, São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

This paper aims to determine evapotranspiration in an Atlantic Forest area located in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, based on measurements obtained by conventional and automatic meteorological stations installed on the Fontes do Ipiranga State Park in São Paulo city in Brazil. The potential evapotranspiration was calculated based on the energy balance partition method using Bowen ratio and Penman-Monteith method, as recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization method. The values obtained were 3.1 mm for energy balance and 3.0 mm by the Penman-Monteith method, resulting in a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.9467). The values were similar to those obtained in other Atlantic Forest areas, such as Ilha do Cardoso (2.8 mm) and Cunha (2.8 mm), both in the State of São Paulo.