Ceramic atmometers were tested to determine their usefulness for measu
ring evaporation in water resources applications. Field experiments we
re used to evaluate the precision, responsiveness to a range of potent
ial evaporation conditions in a forested catchment, and interpretation
of water loss of Bellani plate atmometers. The experiments, conducted
from April to October in a warm, humid climate in the southeastern Un
ited States, indicate that atmometers can be reliable monitoring instr
uments for estimating potential evaporation. The small size, portabili
ty, low internal thermal mass, low cost, and ability to integrate the
effect of radiation, air temperature, humidity and windspeed into one
direct measurement of potential evaporation, make atmometers a useful
instrument for certain water resources applications.