NASA’s ECOSTRESS Satellite Highlights Midday Evapotranspiration Decline
NASA’s ECOSTRESS Satellite Highlights Midday Evapotranspiration Decline
India · Published Aug 25, 2026
NASA's ECOSTRESS satellite has revealed a global pattern of midday depression in ecosystem evapotranspiration, a process where plants release water vapour.
This phenomenon, which reflects plant water stress, is most prominent during peak growing seasons in temperate zones and during dry periods in tropical regions.

Impact & Risks

The midday depression in evapotranspiration indicates significant plant water stress, which can lead to reduced agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. Regions experiencing frequent droughts and heatwaves, such as parts of India during the summer months, may face heightened risks to crop yields and water resources. This phenomenon could also exacerbate the effects of climate change on food security and biodiversity, particularly in water-limited regions.

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