Quikscat backscatter sensitivity to landscape freeze/thaw state over ALECTRA sites in Alaska from 2000 to 2007: Application to SMAP validation planning

Andreas Colliander, Kyle McDonald, Reiner Zimmermann, Thomas Linke, Ronny Schroeder, John Kimball, Eni Njoku

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

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mapping of freeze/thaw state of the landscape is one of the main objectives of NASA's upcoming SMAP (Soil Moisture Active and Passive) mission. This study applies ALECTRA (Alaska Ecological Transect) biophysical network and QuikSCAT scatterometer data to evaluate some of the validation issues regarding the SMAP freeze/thaw measurements. Although the QuikSCAT data is at Ku-band frequency, rather than the L-band of the SMAP instrument, the data is utilized due to its uniquely high temporal resolution over the ALECTRA sites. The results show that multiple temperature measurements representative of individual landscape (soil, snow cover, vegetation and atmosphere) elements and spatial heterogeneity within the satellite field-of-view are important for understanding the radar backscatter process and aggregate freeze/thaw signal. The backscatter temporal dynamics and relative contribution of these landscape elements to the freeze-thaw signal varies with land cover type, seasonal weather and climate conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2010 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2010
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1269-1272
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)9781424495658, 9781424495665
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Event2010 30th IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2010 - Honolulu, United States
Duration: Jul 25 2010Jul 30 2010

Publication series

NameInternational Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)

Conference

Conference2010 30th IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHonolulu
Period07/25/1007/30/10

Keywords

  • ALECTRA
  • Freeze/thaw state
  • QuikSCAT
  • SMAP

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