As a dominant consumer for solar radiation,evapotranspiration is a primary link for the surface energy balance and component of hydrologic cycle.In recent years,the new dynamics regarding reference evapotranspiration (ET_0)have been detected in some regions in the world.However,whether a new dynamics of ET_0 exist in Jialingjiang River Basin was not available in the literature.In addition,quantitative attribution of changes in ET_0 to key climatic factors was also not available in the literature.Temporal patterns in ET_0 and related driving factors over Jialingjiang Basin were investigated in the period 1960-2013 based on daily data from 30 standard meteorological stations.The non-parametric Mann-Kendal method was used to detect trend of mean annual ET_0.Some changepoint year detection including Pittett,moving T test and Cumulative Sum algorithm,were applied to identify abrupt year.For the purpose of ET_0 spatialization,Kringing interpolation method also was utilized.The results showed that:(1)the mean ET_0 reduced at the rate of 0.43 mm/year,and the mean ET_0 went through high-low-high phases;the mean ET_0 changed abruptly around 1981,the mean ET_0 slightly increasing by 0.4 mm/year between 1960-1981,while an obvious increasing trend at 2.62 mm/year appeared between 1982- 2013;(2)evaporation paradoxphenomenon was characterized by spatial and temporal disparities,evaporation paradoxphenomenon could be detected in the period 1960-2013 when comparing the mean ET_0 and air temperature trends;however,with respect to the period 1960-1981 and 1982-2013,the areas where Evaporation paradoxphenomenon could be detected were small;(3)in the period from 1960 to 1981,wind speed and solar radiation were the leading climatic variables to change ET_0;During 1982-2013,air temperature was the dominant factor to increase ET_0 because of climate warming.