Work

Use of Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CyGNSS) Observations for Estimation of Soil Moisture

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: Using the first full annual cycle of Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CyGNSS) observations, we investigated the limitations and capabilities of CyGNSS observations for soil moisture (SM) estimates (0–5 cm). A relative signal‐to‐noise ratio (rSNR) value from a CyGNSS‐derived delay‐Doppler map is introduced to improve the temporal resolution of SM derived from Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) data. We then evaluated the CyGNSS‐derived rSNR using ground‐based SM measurements and the triple collocation method with SMAP and modeled SM products. We found that CyGNSS can provide useful SM estimates over moderately vegetated regions (correlation coefficient of the individual data: 0.77) but shows degraded performance over arid and densely vegetated regions (correlation coefficient of the individual data: 0.68 and 0.67). However, when rSNR data is combined with SM data from SMAP, daily SM estimates can be achieved. These results show that synergistic use of CyGNSS observations can improve on SM estimates from current satellite systems.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2018gl078923

Authors: Hyunglok Kim, Venkat Lakshmi

Institution: University of South Carolina

Language: English

Topic: Soil Moisture and Remote Sensing

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, University of Michigan, U.S. Geological Survey

Award: SOIL MOISTURE DERIVED USING PASSIVE MICROWAVE REMOTE SENSING IS A RELIABLE HYDROLOGICAL PRODUCT THAT IS USED IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HYDROLOGY, LAND-AT