U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            ZHAO, TIANJIE - Collaboratoritem
                                            Jackson, Thomasitem
                                            BINDLISH, RAJAT - Science Systems, Incitem
                                            Cosh, Michael
  Submitted to: BARC Poster Day
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 3/22/2011
                                    Publication  Date: 4/27/2011
                                    Citation: Zhao, T., Jackson, T.J., Bindlish, R., Cosh, M.H. 2011. Validation of soil moisture ocean salinity (SMOS) satellite soil moisture products [abstract]. Abs. 62. BARC Poster Day.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: The surface soil moisture state controls the partitioning of precipitation into infiltration and runoff. High-resolution observations of soil moisture will lead to improved flood forecasts, especially for intermediate to large watersheds where most flood damage occurs. Soil moisture is also key in determining plant productivity and yield. The use of validated soil moisture estimates in agriculture prediction models will lead to significant improvements in operational crop productivity. The European Space Agency Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite was launched in November 2009 to obtain passive microwave measurements at a wavelength that is optimal for soil moisture retrieval. It uses the first-ever, space-borne, two-dimensional interferometric radiometer operating at 1.4 GHz. L-band observations provide enhanced sensitivity to surface soil moisture as compared to higher frequency satellite radiometers. SMOS footprints have a spatial resolution of 40 km. We are currently in validation phase of this satellite project. Conventional ground-based measurements of soil moisture are made at a point whereas satellite sensors provide an integrated value for a much larger spatial extent (~40 km for SMOS). This makes the validation of soil moisture challenging. Our efforts focus on the use of a set of dense in situ soil moisture observing networks distributed across the US. These sites approximate the size of a SMOS footprint, with relatively uniform surface conditions. Measurement data have been calibrated and verified through field campaigns and applied to validating other satellite products. In the current study, one-year of SMOS soil moisture products are compared with the in situ data. It was found that SMOS products are very close to meeting the satellite project goal of a root mean square error less than 0.04 m3/m3. The analysis of individual sites revealed important insights on the impact of vegetation and related seasonal effects on the retrieval. These results will contribute to refinements in the algorithms and the wider acceptance of the data for applications.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov