Estimating vegetation properties for hydrological or climate modelling
Satellite(s)
e.g., MODIS. | Monitoring elementSurface reflectance of multispectral near-infrared and red bands. |
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Description techniqueThe MCD15A3H V6 level 4, Combined Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR), and Leaf Area Index (LAI) product is a 4-day composite data set with 500 meter pixel size. The algorithm chooses the "best" pixel available from all the acquisitions of both MODIS sensors located on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites from within the 4-day period. | Accuracy / Resolution500 m. |
Case studyWesterhoff et al (2018) used MODIS-based LAI estimates as one of the datasets in their recharge model to incorporate the effect of vegetation transpiration in New Zealand. | |
Also fits domainLand | LimitationsSteep learning curve for a non-satellite expert, e.g., using the Google Earth Engine requires some investment in time. |
BenefitsSub-weekly, free. | |
Applicability for NorthlandYes, applicable as regionwide dynamic coverage of vegetation properties for use in hydrologic modeling. Techniques applying optical data will be limited in coverage and temporal granularity by the persistent cloud cover in the region, particularly during the winter months. Mature cloud-masking techniques are directly available for open access multispectral data (e.g. Landsat and Sentinel-2). When using commercial data, care must be taken to ensure that there is sufficiently cloud free imagery available, as cloud masking is not as mature, and ordering a large volume of imagery to ensure complete cloud free coverage between multiple observations can become cost prohibitive. | |
Publication referencesWesterhoff, R., White, P., Rawlinson, Z., 2018. Incorporation of Satellite Data and Uncertainty in a Nationwide Groundwater Recharge Model in New Zealand. Remote Sensing 10, 58. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/10/1/58/htm
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2018RG000608 | |
Other comments or informationDatset available from 2002-2021. | |
Other references or linkshttps://developers.google.com/earth-engine/datasets/catalog/MODIS_006_MCD15A3H |