Active and Passive multi-scale microwave remote sensing of the Alaska Ecological Transect: Application to SMAP freeze/thaw state validation planning

Andreas Colliander, Kyle McDonald, Reiner Zimmerman, Erika Podest, Ronny Schroeder, John Kimball, Eni Njoku

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The calibration and validation of the freeze/thaw product of NASA's proposed L-band SMAP (Soil Moisture Active and Passive) radar and radiometer mission requires execution of a strategy for characterization of thermal regime of the relevant landscape elements in terms of freeze/thaw state and the associated relationship to the microwave remote sensing signature. The goal of this study is to improve the understanding of the L-band radar backscatter processes over boreal landscapes by comparing ALOS PALSAR high resolution L-band backscatter images with Ku-band backscatter from the SeaWinds QuikSCAT scatterometer and C-, X- and Ka-band brightness temperatures from the Aqua AMSR-E radiometer. The results show that landscape elements driving the L-band backscatter are different from those at higher (Ku-band) frequencies and establishment of an optimal validation strategy for SMAP requires investigation of L-band measurements at spatial scales and temporal fidelity commensurate with landscape freeze/thaw variability.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2011 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2011 - Proceedings
Pages3156-3159
Number of pages4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Event2011 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2011 - Vancouver, BC, Canada
Duration: Jul 24 2011Jul 29 2011

Publication series

NameInternational Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)

Conference

Conference2011 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2011
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVancouver, BC
Period07/24/1107/29/11

Keywords

  • ALECTRA
  • AMSR-E
  • PALSAR
  • QuikSCAT
  • SMAP

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