Retrieval of seasonal dynamics of forest understory reflectance from semiarid to boreal forests using MODIS BRDF data

Jan Pisek*, Jing M. Chen, Hideki Kobayashi, Miina Rautiainen, Michael E. Schaepman, Arnon Karnieli, Michael Sprinstin, Youngryel Ryu, Maris Nikopensius, Kairi Raabe

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)
130 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Spatial and temporal patterns of forest background (understory) reflectance are crucial for retrieving biophysical parameters of forest canopies (overstory) and subsequently for ecosystem modeling. In this communication, we retrieved seasonal courses of understory normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from multiangular Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer bidirectional reflectance distribution function (MODIS BRDF)/albedo data. We compared satellite-based seasonal courses of understory NDVI to understory NDVI values measured in different types of forests distributed along a wide latitudinal gradient (65.12°N-31.35°N). Our results indicated that the retrieval method performs well particularly over open forests of different types. We also demonstrated the limitations of the method for closed canopies, where the understory signal retrieval is much attenuated.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)855–863
JournalJOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH: BIOGEOSCIENCES
Volume121
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2016
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • MODIS BRDF
  • Multiangle remote sensing
  • NDVI
  • Understory

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