Energy Balance in Terms of Land Use Changes in the Southern of Mato Grosso State

Abstract The conversion of native vegetation to agricultural areas modifies the dynamics of energy exchange in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect in energy balance and evapotranspiration in the southern state of Mato Grosso due to the conversion of a Cerrado area in agronomic crops. The study was leading in areas of Cerradão, Cerrado strictu sensu, mango grove, teak culture, coconut trees and pasture. The energy balance was estimated by SEBAL (Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land) using weather station data and images from Landsat 5 TM sensor obtained in 2010. The net radiation showed lower values in pasture than in the Cerrado. The latent heat flux in the Cerrado was higher by 60% in relation to agronomic crops. The sensible heat flux in agricultural areas were 50% higher than Cerrado areas. The Cerradão and Mangueiral showed lower heat flux values on the ground. Although this study does not represent the entire Cerrado of Mato Grosso, the results showed the impact of the Cerrado into agricultural areas in the energy balance.