Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #188526
Title: LONG-TERM EVALUATION OF AMSR-E SOIL MOISTURE PRODUCT OVER THE WALNUT GULCH WATERSHED, AZ

Author
item Bolten, John
item Jackson, Thomas
item LAKSHMI, V - UNIV OF SOUTH CAROLINA
item Cosh, Michael
item DRUSCH, M - EUROPEAN CENTRE MED RG WE

Submitted to: American Geophysical Union
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2005
Publication Date: 12/5/2005
Citation: Bolten, J.D., Jackson, T.J., Lakshmi, V., Cosh, M.H., Drusch, M. 2005. Long-term evaluation of AMSR-E soil moisture product over the Walnut Gulch Watershed, AZ [abstract]. EOS Transactions, American Geophysical Union. 86(52), Fall Meeting Supplements, Abstract H13J-04.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer -Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) was launched aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite on May 4th, 2002. Quantitative estimates of soil moisture using the AMSR-E provided data have required routine radiometric data calibration and validation using comparisons of satellite observations, extended targets and field campaigns. The currently applied NASA EOS Aqua ASMR-E soil moisture algorithm is based on a change detection approach using polarization ratios (PR) of the calibrated AMSR-E channel brightness temperatures. To date, the accuracy of the soil moisture algorithm has been investigated on short time scales during field campaigns such as the Soil Moisture Experiments in 2004 (SMEX04). Results have indicated self-consistency and calibration stability of the observed brightness temperatures; however the performance of the moisture retrieval algorithm has been poor. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of the current version of the AMSR-E soil moisture product for a three year period over the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (150 km2) near Tombstone, AZ; the northern study area of SMEX04. This watershed is equipped with hourly and daily recording of precipitation, soil moisture and temperature via a network of raingages and a USDA-NRCS Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) site. Surface wetting and drying are easily distinguished in this area due to the moderately-vegetated terrain and seasonally intense precipitation events. Validation of AMSR-E derived soil moisture is performed from June 2002 to June 2005 using watershed averages of precipitation, and soil moisture and temperature data from the SCAN site supported by a surface soil moisture network. Long-term assessment of soil moisture algorithm performance is investigated by comparing temporal variations of moisture estimates with seasonal changes and precipitation events. Further comparisons are made with a standard soil dataset from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The results of this research will contribute to a better characterization of the low biases and discrepancies currently observed in the AMSR-E soil moisture product.