Distributionsofregionallandsurfacevariables,vegetationvariablesandlandsurfaceheat fluxes over the AECMP’95 area were analyzed using a new parameterized method of combining satellite remote sensing with field observations. The results show that reasonable regional distribution of surface reflectance, surface temperature, modified soil adjusted vegetationindex,vegetationcoverage,netradiation,soilheatfluxandsensibleheatfluxover heterogeneous arid area in northwestern China can be obtained by using this method. This techniqueisstillinthedevelopmentstage,thederivedlatentheatfluxshowsabithighertrend thanthe observed values overthe whole study area. The recommendations of improving the scheme are also presented. r 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.