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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #320136
Title: Validation of the Soil Moisture Active Passive mission using USDA-ARS experimental watersheds

Author
item Cosh, Michael
item Jackson, Thomas
item BINDLISH, R. - Science Systems, Inc
item COLLIANDER, ANDREAS - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
item KIM, S. - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
item DAS, N. - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
item YUEH, S. - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
item Bosch, David
item Goodrich, David - Dave
item Prueger, John
item Starks, Patrick
item Livingston, Stanley
item Seyfried, Mark
item Coopersmith, Evan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2015
Publication Date: 12/15/2015
Citation: Cosh, M.H., Jackson, T.J., Bindlish, R., Colliander, Andreas, Kim, S., Das, N., Yueh, S., Bosch, D.D., Goodrich, D.C., Prueger, J.H., Starks, P., Livingston, S., Seyfried, M.S., Coopersmith, E. 2015. Validation of the Soil Moisture Active Passive mission using USDA-ARS experimental watersheds. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. December 14-18, 2015, San Francisco, CA. Abstract #H13K-1728.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The calibration and validation program of the Soil Moisture Active Passive mission (SMAP) relies upon an international cooperative of in situ networks to provide ground truth references across a variety of landscapes. The USDA Agricultural Research Service operates several experimental watersheds which contribute to the validation of SMAP soil moisture products. These watersheds consist of a network of in situ sensors that measure soil moisture at a variety of depths including the 5 cm depth, which is critical for satellite validation. Comparisons of the in situ network estimates to the satellite products are ongoing, but initial results have shown strong correlation between satellite estimates and in situ soil moisture measurements once scaling functions were applied. The scaling methodologies for the in situ networks are being reviewed and evaluated. Results from the Little Washita, Fort Cobb, St. Joseph’s and Little River Experimental Watersheds show good agreement between the satellite products and in situ measurements. Walnut Gulch show high accuracy, although with the caveat that these domains are semi-arid with a substantially lower dynamic range. The South Fork Watershed is examined more closely for its detailed scaling function development as well as an apparent bias between satellite and in situ values.