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Title: SCALING SURFACE SOIL MOISTURE IN THE WALNUT GULCH EXPERIMENTAL WATERSHED

Author
item Cosh, Michael
item Jackson, Thomas
item Moran, Mary
item BINDLISH, R - SSAI
item MLADENOVA, I - VRIJE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Geophysical Union
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2006
Publication Date: 5/23/2006
Citation: Cosh, M.H., Jackson, T.J., Moran, M.S., Bindlish, R., Mladenova, I. 2006. Scaling surface soil moisture in the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed [abstract]. 2006 American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting. Abstract H43B-04.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The estimation of surface soil moisture in semi-arid and arid regions is complicated by the inherent heterogeneous precipitation patterns and ephemeral surface water characteristics. Large-scale sampling is inefficient for long term monitoring of surface soil moisture, especially with the goal of calibration of a satellite soil moisture product such as that generated by the AMSR-E instrument for example. Statistical methods of accurately monitoring and scaling point and watershed estimates to satellite scale moisture values are explored. The location for this study is the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed in Tombstone, Arizona, which is also the location of the Soil Moisture Experiment in 2004 (SMEX04). The variability of radiometric temperature brightness data is also examined for its relationships to land surface parameters, climate variables, and insitu soil moisture measurements. Variability assessment is also evaluated for consistency and persistence over a three-year period.