Effects of vegetation and soil texture on surface soil moisture retrieval using multi-temporal optical and thermal infrared observations

To retrieve surface soil moisture (SSM) content over natural surfaces quantitatively, the effects of vegetation and soil texture on a previously developed bare SSM retrieval model are evaluated using simulated data from the common land model (CoLM). The results indicate that (1) both the accuracy and the five model parameters of the previous SSM retrieval model show relatively consistent variations when the fractional vegetation cover (FVC) varies from 0 to 0.7; and (2) the SSM exhibits a generally significant and exponential relationship with the rotation angle when the clay content is lower than 30%, with the FVC ranging from 0 to 0.7. These findings make it possible to estimate SSM directly under the conditions that the underlying surface is in the presence of spatially variable FVC and soil texture. On this basis, we further confirm the feasibility of using the previous bare SSM retrieval model to estimate SSM for FVC varying from 0 to 0.7 with a clay content lower than 30%. For the simulated data on eight cloud-free days, the total root mean square error (RMSE) of the retrieved SSM and the coefficient of determination (R²) are 0.033 m³m^?3 and 0.758, respectively. Ultimately, a preliminary validation is conducted using the ground measurements at the Bondville site; an R² = 0.328 and a RMSE = 0.058 m³m^?3 are obtained for 14 cloud-free days.     

Potential of Dubois model for soil moisture retrieval in prairie areas using SAR and optical data

Soil moisture retrieval is often confounded by the influence of vegetation and surface roughness on the backscattered radar signal in vegetated areas. In this study, a semi-empirical methodology is proposed to retrieve soil moisture in prairie areas. The effect of vegetation is eliminated by the ratio vegetation method and water cloud model (WCM), respectively. The conditions of vegetation are characterized by leaf area index (LAI), vegetation water content (VWC), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and enhanced vegetation index (EVI), respectively. To remove the dependence on surface roughness, the dielectric constant is explicitly expressed as the function of co-polarization backscattering coefficients and sensor parameters based on the Dubois model. The ground measurements and satellite data collected from the Ruoergai and Wutumeiren prairies of China allow for validating the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methodology. From the perspective of soil moisture retrieval accuracy, the ratio vegetation method performs better than WCM. In the Ruoergai prairie, the best soil moisture retrieval result is obtained when EVI is used, with correlation coefficient (r) and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.87 and 3.50 vol.%, respectively. While in the Wutumeiren prairie, the lowest retrieval error is obtained when LAI is used, with r and RMSE values of 0.79 and 5.73 vol.%, respectively. These results demonstrate that the Dubois model has a potential for enhancing soil moisture retrieval in prairie areas using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical data.     

Evaluation of hyperspectral indices for retrieval of canopy equivalent water thickness and gravimetric water content

There are two main parameters describing the amount of water in vegetation: the gravimetric water content (GWC) and the equivalent water thickness (EWT). In this study, we investigated the applicability of hyperspectral water-sensitive indices from canopy spectra for estimating canopy EWT (CEWT) and GWC. First, the spectral reflectance’s response to different levels of canopy water content was analysed and a noticeable increase in the slope of the near-infrared (NIR) shoulder of the canopy spectrum was observed. Next, the correlation between the CEWT and various hyperspectral water-sensitive indices was investigated. It was found that all of the indices could retrieve the CEWT of winter wheat well, with the coefficients of determination (R²) all being higher than 0.80. Finally, the retrieval performance of these indices for canopy GWC was evaluated and no significant correlation was observed between canopy GWC and the water-sensitive indices except for the spectral ratio index in the NIR shoulder region (NSRI). These results showed that the traditional water-sensitive vegetation indices are more sensitive to CEWT than to GWC, especially when the LAI is not highly correlated with the GWC, and that the NSRI is a potential vegetation index for use in the retrieval of GWC.     

Soil moisture estimation in a semiarid rangeland using ERS-2 and TM imagery

Soil moisture is important information in semiarid rangelands where vegetation growth is heavily dependent on the water availability. Although many studies have been conducted to estimate moisture in bare soil fields with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery, little success has been achieved in vegetated areas. The purpose of this study is to extract soil moisture in sparsely to moderately vegetated rangeland surfaces with ERS-2/TM synergy. We developed an approach to first reduce the surface roughness effect by using the temporal differential backscatter coefficient (Δσ_wet-dry⁰). Then an optical/microwave synergistic model was built to simulate the relationship among soil moisture, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Δσ_wet-dry⁰. With NDVI calculated from TM imagery in wet seasons and Δσ_wet-dry⁰ from ERS-2 imagery in wet and dry seasons, we derived the soil moisture maps over desert grass and shrub areas in wet seasons. The results showed that in the semiarid rangeland, radar backscatter was positively correlated to NDVI when soil was dry (m_v<10%), and negatively correlated to NDVI when soil moisture was higher (m_v>10%). The approach developed in this study is valid for sparse to moderate vegetated areas. When the vegetation density is higher (NDVI>0.45), the SAR backscatter is mainly from vegetation layer and therefore the soil moisture estimation is not possible in this study.     

Mapping tree distribution and LAI in peatlands using field methods and imaging spectroscopy: a case study for the Haaksbergerveen,the Netherlands

Leaf area index (LAI) is among the vegetation parameters that play an important role in climate, hydrological and ecological studies, and is used for assessing growth and expansion of vegetation. The main objective of this study was to develop a methodology to map the LAI distribution of birch trees (Betula pendula) in peatland ecosystems using field-based instruments and airborne-based remote-sensing techniques. The developed mapping method was validated using field-based LAI measurements using the LAI-2000 instrument. First vegetation indices, including simple ratio (SR), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and reduced simple ratio (RSR), were derived from HyMap data and related to ground-based measurements of LAI. LAI related better with RSR (R² = 0.68), followed by NDVI (R² = 0.63) and SR (R² = 0.58), respectively. Areas with birch were identified using Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) to classify the image into 11 end members of dominant species including bare soil and open water. Next, the relationship between LAI and RSR was applied to areas with birch, yielding a birch LAI map. Comparison of the map of the birch trees and field-based LAI data was done using linear regression, yielding an R² = 0.38 and an RMSE = 0.25, which is fairly accurate for a structurally highly diverse field situation. The method may prove an invaluable tool to monitor tree encroachment and assess tree LAI in these remote and poorly accessible areas.     

Monitoring soybean growth using L-, C-, and X-band scatterometer data

A ground-based fully polarimetric scatterometer operating at multiple frequencies was used to continuously monitor soybean growth over the course of a growing season. Polarimetric backscatter data at L-, C-, and X-bands were acquired every 10 min. We analysed the relationships between L-, C-, and X-band signatures, and biophysical measurements over the entire soybean growth period. Temporal changes in backscattering coefficients for all bands followed the patterns observed in the soybean growth measurements (leaf area index (LAI) and vegetation water content (VWC)). The difference between the backscattering coefficients for horizontally transmitted horizontally received (HH) and vertically transmitted vertically received (VV) polarizations at the L-band was apparent after the R2 stage (DOY 224) due to the double-bounce scattering effect. Results indicated that L-, C-, and X-band radar backscatter data can be used to detect different soybean growth stages. The results of correlation analyses between the backscattering coefficient for specific bands/polarizations and soybean growth data showed that L-band HH-polarization had the highest correlation with the vegetation parameters LAI (r = 0.98) and VWC (r = 0.97). Prediction equations for estimation of soybean growth parameters from the L-HH were developed. The results indicated that L-HH could be used for estimating the vegetation biophysical parameters considered here with high accuracy. These results provide a basis for developing a method to retrieve crop biophysical properties and guidance on the optimum microwave frequency and polarization necessary to monitor crop conditions. The results are directly applicable to systems such as the proposed NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite.     

Inverting a forest canopy reflectance model to retrieve the overstorey and understorey leaf area index for forest stands

In this article, the Kuusk–Nilson forest reflectance and transmittance (FRT) model was inverted to retrieve the overstorey and understorey leaf area index (OU-LAI) of forest stands in the Longmenhe forest nature reserve in China. Data from detailed sample sites were collected in 30 forest stands representing the typical vegetation community in the study area. An uncertainty and sensitivity matrix (USM) was used to analyse the sensitivity of the FRT model parameters based on these data. The results indicated that overstorey LAI strongly influenced stand reflectance, whereas understorey LAI had a much lower impact. To predict OU-LAI in forest stands, FRT model inversion is carried out by minimizing a merit function that provides a measure of the difference between the reflectance simulated by the FRT model and the reflectance originating from optimal band selection of Hyperion data. Various combinations of Hyperion bands were tested to evaluate the most effective wavelengths for the inversion of OU-LAI. The best estimates from 17 Hyperion bands (5 VIS, 8 NIR, 4 SWIR) by the FRT model inversion showed an R ²?=?0.41 and RMSE/mean?=?0.21 for overstorey LAI and R ²?=?0.49 and RMSE/mean?=?0.91 for understorey LAI. Advantages and disadvantages of FRT inversion for retrieval OU-LAI combined with Hyperion data are discussed.     

Analysis of in-situ soil moisture data and validation of SMOS soil moisture products at selected agricultural sites over a tropical region

Calibration and validation activities on Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS)-derived soil moisture products have been conducted worldwide since the data became available, but this has not been the case over tropical regions. This study focuses on the setting up of a soil moisture data collection network over an agricultural site in a tropical region in Peninsular Malaysia and on the validation of SMOS soil moisture products. The in-situ data over a one-and-a-half-year period was analysed and the validation of the SMOS soil moisture products with this in-situ data was conducted. Bias and root mean square error (RMSE) were computed between the SMOS soil moisture products and the in-situ surface soil moisture collected at the satellite passing times (6 am and 6 pm local time). Due to the known limitations of SMOS soil moisture retrieval over vegetated areas with a vegetation water content higher than 5 kg m^?2, an overestimation of SMOS soil moisture products to in-situ data was noticed in this study. The bias ranged from 0.064 to 0.119 m³ m^?3 and the RMSE was from 0.090 to 0.158 m³ m^?3, when both ascending and descending mode data were measured. This RMSE was found to be similar to those of a number of studies conducted previously at different regions. However, a wet bias was found during the validation, while previous validation activities at other locations showed dry biases. The result of this study is useful to support the continuous development and improvement of the SMOS soil moisture retrieval model, aiming to produce soil moisture products with higher accuracy, especially in tropical regions.     

Physical-based soil moisture retrieval method over bare agricultural areas by means of multi-sensor SAR data

The main objective of this research is to develop, test and validate soil moisture retrieval method based on multi-source SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data for bare agricultural areas. The Radardat-2, TerraSAR-X and Sentinel-1A SAR data were applied to retrieve soil moisture content in combination with the integral equation model (IEM) or calibrated integral equation model (CIEM). A straightforward inversion scheme was developed, which does not require the prior knowledge of surface roughness. The soil moisture content can be directly estimated using a look-up table (LUT) optimization method with multi-source SAR data as inputs. For validation purpose, in situ soil moisture content was measured during the period of SAR data acquisitions. The effectiveness and reliability of the soil moisture retrieval methods were evaluated based on the in situ measurements and cost function distribution graph. The experimental results indicate that the developed approach provided accurate soil moisture estimates with root mean square errors (RMSE) ranging from 0.047 cm³ cm^?3 to 0.079 cm³ cm^?3 over the experimental areas. The distribution graphs of the cost function demonstrate the uniqueness and convergence of the estimated results based on multi-source SAR data. Either IEM or CIEM was employed to estimate soil moisture content, more accurate results were obtained with Radarsat-2, TerraSAR-X and Sentinel-1A data as inputs. The experimental results preliminary illustrate that the multi-source SAR data are promising for soil moisture retrieval over bare agricultural areas. The novelty of the presented research can be summarized as two aspects. Firstly, the multi-sensor SAR with different incidence angle, different frequency and different polarization were combined to estimate soil moisture content by means of the physical-based methods. The combination of the multi-sensor SAR data can effectively solve the ill-posed problem of soil moisture retrieval using physical models. Secondly, the CIEM was utilized to establish the soil moisture retrieval model, which transforms the three unknown parameters to two unknown parameters. Furthermore, the convergence and uniqueness of the estimated soil moisture were validated through distribution graphs of the cost function.     

Bare surface soil moisture retrieval from the synergistic use of optical and thermal infrared data

Land surface soil moisture (SSM) is crucial to research and applications in hydrology, ecology, and meteorology. To develop a SSM retrieval model for bare soil, an elliptical relationship between diurnal cycles of land surface temperature (LST) and net surface shortwave radiation (NSSR) is described and further verified using data that were simulated with the Common Land Model (CoLM) simulation. In addition, with a stepwise linear regression, a multi-linear model is developed to retrieve daily average SSM in terms of the ellipse parameters x₀ (horizontal coordinate of the ellipse centre), y₀ (vertical coordinate of the ellipse centre), a (semi-major axis), and θ (rotation angle), which were acquired from the elliptical relationship. The retrieval model for daily average SSM proved to be independent of soil type for a given atmospheric condition. Compared with the simulated daily average SSM, the proposed model was found to be of higher accuracy. For eight cloud-free days, the root mean square error (RMSE) ranged from 0.003 to 0.031 m³ m^?3, while the coefficient of determination (R²) ranged from 0.852 to 0.999. Finally, comparison and validation were conducted using simulated and measured data, respectively. The results indicated that the proposed model showed better accuracy than a recently reported model using simulated data. A simple calibration decreased RMSE from 0.088 m³ m^?3 to 0.051 m³ m^?3 at Bondville Companion site, and from 0.126 m³ m^?3 to 0.071 m³ m^?3 at the Bondville site. Coefficients of determination R² = 0.548 and 0.445 were achieved between the estimated daily average SSM and the measured values at the two sites, respectively. This paper suggests a promising avenue for retrieving regional SSM using LST and NSSR derived from geostationary satellites in future developments.     

Effects of corn on C- and L-band radar backscatter: A correction method for soil moisture retrieval

This paper discusses the effects of vegetation on C- (4.75 GHz) and L- (1.6 GHz) band backscattering (σ^o) measured throughout a growth cycle at incidence angles of 15, 35 and 55°. The utilized σ^o data set was collected by a truck mounted scatterometer over a corn field and is supported by a comprehensive set of ground measurements, including soil moisture and vegetation biomass. Comparison of σ^o measurement against simulations by the Integral Equation Method (IEM) surface scattering model (Fung et al., 1992) shows that the σ^o measurements are dominated either by an attenuated soil return or by scattering from vegetation depending on the antenna configuration and growth stage. Further, the measured σ^o is found to be sensitive to soil moisture even at peak biomass and large incidence angles, which is attributed to scattering along the soil-vegetation pathway.For the simulation of C-band σ^o and the retrieval of soil moisture two methods have been applied, which are the semi-empirical water cloud model (Attema & Ulaby, 1978) and a novel method. This alternative method uses the empirical relationships between the vegetation water content (W) and the ratio of the bare soil and the measured σ^o to correct for vegetation. It is found that this alternative method is superior in reproducing the measured σ^o as well as retrieving soil moisture. The highest retrieval accuracies are obtained at a 35° incidence angle leading to RMSD's of 0.044 and 0.037 m³ m^− 3 for the HH and VV-polarization, respectively. In addition, the sensitivity of these soil moisture retrievals to W and surface roughness parameter uncertainties is investigated.     

Monitoring surface water content using visible and short-wave infrared SPOT-5 data of wheat plots in irrigated semi-arid regions

Irrigated agriculture is an important strategic sector in arid and semi-arid regions. Given the large spatial coverage of irrigated areas, operational tools based on satellite remote sensing can contribute to their optimal management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of two spectral indices, calculated from SPOT-5 high-resolution visible (HRV) data, to retrieve the surface water content values (from bare soil to completely covered soil) over wheat fields and detect irrigation supplies in an irrigated area. These indices are the normalized difference water index (NDWI) and the moisture stress index (MSI), covering the main growth stages of wheat. These indices were compared to corresponding in situ measurements of soil moisture and vegetation water content in 30 wheat fields in an irrigated area of Morocco, during the 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 cropping seasons. NDWI and MSI were highly correlated with in situ measurements at both the beginning of the growing season (sowing) and at full vegetation cover (grain filling). From sowing to grain filling, the best correlation (R² = 0.86; p < 0.01) was found for the relationship between NDWI values and observed soil moisture values. These results were validated using a k-fold cross-validation methodology; they indicated that NDWI can be used to estimate and map surface water content changes at the main crop growth stages (from sowing to grain filling). NDWI is an operative index for monitoring irrigation, such as detecting irrigation supplies and mitigating wheat water stress at field and regional levels in semi-arid areas.     

An evaluation of EO-1 hyperspectral Hyperion data for chlorophyll content and leaf area index estimation

Estimation of chlorophyll content and the leaf area index (LAI) using remote sensing technology is of particular use in precision agriculture. Wavelengths at the red edge of the vegetation spectrum (705 and 750 nm) were selected to test vegetation indices (VIs) using spaceborne hyperspectral Hyperion data for the estimation of chlorophyll content and LAI in different canopy structures. Thirty sites were selected for the ground data collection. The results show that chlorophyll content and LAI can be successfully estimated by VIs derived from Hyperion data with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 7.20–10.49 μg cm^?2 for chlorophyll content and 0.55–0.77 m² m^?2 for LAI. The special index derived from three bands provided the best estimation of the chlorophyll content (RMSE of 7.19 μg cm^?2 for the Modified Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index/Optimized Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (MCARI/OSAVI₇₀₅)) and LAI (RMSE of 0.55 m² m^?2 for a second form of the MCARI (MCARI2₇₀₅)). These results demonstrate the possibilities for analysing the variation in chlorophyll content and LAI using hyperspectral Hyperion data with bands from the red edge of the vegetation spectrum.     

Inversion of a radiative transfer model with hyperspectral observations for LAI mapping in poplar plantations

The potential of radiative transfer modelling and inversion techniques for operational uses is investigated in order to retrieve leaf area index in a poplar plantation. The 1-D bidirectional canopy reflectance model SAIL, coupled with the leaf optical properties model PROSPECT, was inverted with hyperspectral airborne DAIS data by means of an iterative method. The root mean square error in LAI estimation was determined against in situ measurements in order to evaluate the impact of different inversion strategies on the LAI retrieval accuracy. These included the selection of an optimal spectral sampling set, the exploitation of prior knowledge in the inversion process and the use of multiview angle data. We claim that the best configuration is achieved by exploiting multiview DAIS data and prior knowledge information about the model variables (RMSE of 0.39 m² m⁻²). It is also shown that the use of prior knowledge and the selection of a limited number of bands forming the optimal spectral sampling are instrumental in increasing the accuracy of the inversion process. Our analysis confirms the operational potential of model inversion for biophysical parameter retrieval.     

Estimate of extended long-term LAI data set derived from AVHRR and MODIS based on the correlations between LAI and key variables of the climate system from 1982 to 2009

The global long-term leaf area index (LAI) series is a critical variable to validate the terrestrial ecological processes of simulation by Earth system models (ESMs) and ESM input. However, the lack of long-term LAI data restricts studies on the interaction between atmosphere and biosphere. This study focuses on obtaining a robust long-term LAI data set through combining Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR; available from August 1981 to May 2001) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS; available from January 2000 to December 2009) data sets, and on investigating the relationship between LAI data and the key variables of the climate system. Regional discrepancies in LAI exist between these two data sets. In high northern latitudes, there are significant differences (>1.7 m² m^?2) between AVHRR- and MODIS-derived LAI during the overlapping period from January 2000 to May 2001 because of effects of vegetation structure, low saturation threshold of remote-sensing data and cloud contamination, and the effects of aerosols and atmospheric water vapour on the AVHRR sensor. Using the LAI data set derived from MODIS as the benchmark, AVHRR-derived LAI data from the same periods as those of MODIS were first calibrated through a region-based linear regression method. Then the regression relationship was employed to other periods of AVHRR-derived LAI, resulting in a complete long-term LAI data set. The results showed that the data set has a better convergence and continuity than the original data set, with the regional discrepancies in LAI significantly reduced. Further analyses of correlations between LAI and variables of the climate system demonstrate that the modified LAI is more suitable to describe the response of vegetation to variables in the climate system. This is probably attributed to temperature as the main driver affecting vegetation and to the persistent presence of frozen soil in this region. In comparison with results from previous studies, the response to temperature, precipitation, and soil moisture in the long-term modified LAI data is more reasonable than for unmodified LAI.     

Retrieval of soil moisture from passive and active L/S band sensor (PALS) observations during the Soil Moisture Experiment in 2002 (SMEX02)

The Soil Moisture Experiments in 2002 (SMEX02) were conducted in Iowa between June 25th and July 12th, 2002. A major aim of the experiments was examination of existing algorithms for soil moisture retrieval from active and passive microwave remote sensors under high vegetation water content conditions. The data obtained from the passive and active L and S band sensor (PALS) along with physical variables measured by in situ sampling have been used in this study to demonstrate the sensitivity of the instrument to soil moisture and perform soil moisture retrieval using statistical regression and physical modeling techniques. The land cover conditions in the region studied were predominantly soybean and corn crops with average vegetation water contents ranging from 0 to ∼5 kg/m². The PALS microwave sensitivity to soil moisture under these vegetation conditions was investigated for both passive and active measurements. The performance of the PALS instrument and retrieval algorithms has been analyzed, indicating soil moisture retrieval errors of approximately 0.04 g/g gravimetric soil moisture. Statistical regression techniques have been shown to perform satisfactorily with soil moisture retrieval error of around 0.05 g/g gravimetric soil moisture. The retrieval errors were higher for the corn than for the soybean fields due to the higher vegetation water content of the corn crops. However, the algorithms performed satisfactorily over the full range of vegetation conditions.     

Preliminary validation of two temporal parameter-based soil moisture retrieval models using a satellite product and in situ soil moisture measurements over the REMEDHUS network

This study aims to preliminarily validate two newly developed temporal parameter-based surface soil moisture (SSM) retrieval models, namely the mid-morning model and daytime model, using both microwave satellite soil moisture product and in situ SSM measurements over a well-organized soil moisture network named REd de MEDición de la HUmedad del Suelo (REMEDHUS) in Spain. Ground SSM measurements and geostationary satellite observations were primarily implemented to obtain the model coefficients for the two SSM retrieval models for each cloud-free day. These model coefficients were subsequently used to estimate SSM using the Meteosat Second Generation products over the study area. Preliminary verification using both a satellite product and in situ SSM measurements demonstrated that SSM variation can be well detected by both SSM retrieval models. Specifically, a generally similar accuracy (coefficient of determination R²: 0.419–0.379, root mean square error: 0.046–0.051 m³ m^?3, Bias: ?0.020 to ?0.025 m³ m^?3) was found for the mid-morning model and the daytime model with the microwave missions based climate change initiative SSM product, respectively. Moreover, except for the comparable R² (0.614–0.675), a better accuracy (Bias: 0.032–0.044 m³ m^?3, RMSE: 0.043–0.050 m³ m^?3) are achieved for the daytime model and the mid-morning model with network SSM measurements, respectively. These results indicate that the daytime model exhibited generally comparable or better accuracy than that of the mid-morning model over the study area. This study has strengthened the feasibility of using multi-temporal information derived from the geostationary satellites to estimate SSM in future research.     

Validation of a practical normalized soil moisture model with in situ measurements in humid and semi-arid regions

Soil moisture is an important parameter that influences the exchange of water and energy fluxes between the land surface and the atmosphere. Through the simulation by a Soil–Vegetation–Atmosphere Transfer model, Carlson proposed the universal spatial information-based method to determine soil moisture that is insensitive to the initial atmospheric and surface conditions, net radiation, and atmospheric correction. In this study, a practical normalized soil moisture model is established to describe the relationship among the normalized soil moisture (M), the normalized land surface temperature (T*), and the fractional vegetation cover. The dry and wet points are determined using the surface energy balance principle, which has a robust physical basis. This method is applied to retrieve soil moisture for the Soil Moisture-Atmosphere Coupling Experiment campaign in the Walnut Creek watershed, which has a humid climate, and at the Linzestation, which has a semi-arid climate. The validation data are obtained on days of year (DOYs) 182 and 189 in 2002 in the humid region and on DOYs 148 and 180 in 2008 for the semi-arid region; these data collection days are coincident with the overpass of the Landsat Thematic Mapper/Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus. When the estimates are compared with the in situ measurements of soil water content, the root mean square error is approximately 0.10 m³ m^?3 with a bias of 0.05 m³ m^?3 for the humid region and 0.08 m³ m^?3 with a bias of 0.03 m³ m^?3 for the semi-arid region. These results demonstrate that the practical normalized soil moisture model is applicable in both humid and semi-arid regions.     

Mapping leaf area index over a mixed natural forest area in the flooding season using ground-based measurements and Landsat TM imagery

Leaf area index (LAI) is an important structural parameter in terrestrial ecosystem modelling and management. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an investigation on using moderate-resolution satellite imagery to estimate and map LAI in mixed natural forests in southeastern USA. In this study, along with ground-measured LAI and Landsat TM imagery, the potential of Landsat 5 TM data for estimating LAI in a mixed natural forest ecosystem in southeastern USA was investigated and a modelling method for mapping LAI in a flooding season was developed. To do so, first, 70 ground-based LAI measurements were collected on 8 April 2008 and again on 1 August 2008 and 30 July 2009; TM data were calibrated to ground surface reflectance. Then univariate correlation and multivariate regression analyses were conducted between the LAI measurement and 13 spectral variables, including seven spectral vegetation indices (VIs) and six single TM bands. Finally, April 08 and August 08 LAI maps were made by using TM image data, a multivariate regression model and relationships between April 08 and August 08 LAI measurements. The experimental results indicate that Landsat TM imagery could be used for mapping LAI in a mixed natural forest ecosystem in southeastern USA. Furthermore, TM4 and TM3 single bands (R ² > 0.45) and the soil adjusted vegetation index, transformed soil adjusted vegetation index and non-linear vegetation index (R ² > 0.64) have produced the highest and second highest correlation with ground-measured LAI. A better modelling result (R ²?=?0.78, accuracy?=?73%, root mean square error (RMSE)?=?0.66) of the 10-predictor multiple regression model was obtained for estimating and mapping April 08 LAI from TM data. With a linear model and a power model, August 08 LAI maps were successfully produced from the April 08 LAI map (accuracy?=?79%, RMSE?=?0.57), although only 58–65% of total variance could be accounted for by the linear and non-linear models.     

Thermal infrared inverse model for component temperatures of mixed pixels

Multiangular remote sensing data can be used to retrieve land surface component temperatures, which will have a broad application in the future. For higher resolution pixels of satellite radiometers, the component temperatures may be separated adequately by some methods. However, for coarse resolution pixels that contain a mixture of vegetation and bare soil, the component temperatures may not be retrieved robustly by traditional inversion methods. In this study, a thermal model-based algorithm was developed for mixed pixels. A simulation method was implemented to assess the performance of the algorithm. The method consisted of extensive radiative transfer simulations under a wide variety of Leaf Area Index (LAI) values in the vegetation part of directional thermal infrared (TIR) radiation, vegetation and soil emissivity, vegetation and soil temperatures, bare soil area ratio and downwelling longwave atmospheric radiation. The results indicate that the inversion error of the component temperatures does not exceed 0.5° when LAI values are less than 6.0. A field experiment was also conducted to assess the accuracy of the model. The experimental results indicate that even if the differences between the nadir and off-nadir radiative temperatures over a mixed pixel are small, the model can still determine the component temperatures accurately. A sensitivity analysis shows that an accuracy of less than 10% for LAI in the vegetation part and the bare soil area ratio is required to achieve a precision of 1 K for the component temperatures derived. An error of 1 K in the radiometric temperature leads to an error of 1 K in the component temperatures retrieved.