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Evaluation of Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Snow Albedo Product (MCD43A) over TundraThis study assesses the MODIS standard Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF)/Albedo product, and the daily Direct Broadcast BRDF/Albedo algorithm at tundra locations under large solar zenith angles and high anisotropic diffuse illumination and multiple scattering conditions. These products generally agree with ground-based albedo measurements during the snow cover period when the Solar Zenith Angle (SZA) is less than 70deg. An integrated validation strategy, including analysis of the representativeness of the surface heterogeneity, is performed to decide whether direct comparisons between field measurements and 500- m satellite products were appropriate or if the scaling of finer spatial resolution airborne or spaceborne data was necessary. Results indicate that the Root Mean Square Errors (RMSEs) are less than 0.047 during the snow covered periods for all MCD43 albedo products at several Alaskan tundra areas. The MCD43 1- day daily albedo product is particularly well suited to capture the rapidly changing surface conditions during the spring snow melt. Results also show that a full expression of the blue sky albedo is necessary at these large SZA snow covered areas because of the effects of anisotropic diffuse illumination and multiple scattering. In tundra locations with dark residue as a result of fire, the MODIS albedo values are lower than those at the unburned site from the start of snowmelt.
Document ID
20120008712
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Wang, Zhuosen
(Boston Univ. Boston, MA, United States)
Schaaf, Crystal B.
(Boston Univ. Boston, MA, United States)
Chopping, Mark J.
(Montclair State Univ. Montclair, NJ, United States)
Strahler, Alan H.
(Boston Univ. Boston, MA, United States)
Wang, Jindi
(State Key Lab. of Remote Sensing Science Beijing, China)
Roman, Miguel O.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Rocha, Adrian V.
(Marine Biological Lab. Woods Hole, MA, United States)
Woodcock, Curtis E.
(Boston Univ. Boston, MA, United States)
Shuai, Yanmin
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
February 15, 2012
Publication Information
Publication: Remote Sensing of Environment
Volume: 117
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.JA.5991.2012
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNSF 40871163
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX11AD58G
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF DEB-0423385
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF OPP-0856853
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX09AL03G
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX08AE94A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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