Summary Results from:
Time-series validation of MODIS land biophysical products in a Kalahari woodland
As they relate to the validation of MOD13
Authors: Huemmrich, K.F., J. L. Privette, M. Mukelabai, R. B. Myneni, Y. Knyazikhin
Source: International Journal of Remote Sensing, 26(19), 4381-4398
Link to: Access Publication
Abstract:
Monthly measurements of leaf area index (LAI) and the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (ƒAPAR) taken at approximately monthly intervals were collected along three 750m transects in a Kalahari woodland near Mongu in western Zambia. These data were compared with MODIS NDVI (MOD13, Collection 3) and MODIS LAI and ƒAPAR products (MOD15, Collection 3) over a 2=year period (2000-2002). MODIS and ground-measured LAI values corresponded well, while there was a significant bias between MODIS and ground-measured ƒAPAR even though both MODIS variables are produced from the same algorithm. Solar zenith angle effects, differences between intercepted and absorbed photosynthetically active radiation, and differences in measurement of ƒAPAR (photon counts versus energy) were examined and rejected as explanations for the discrepancies between MODIS and ground-measured ƒAPAR. Canopy reflectance model simulations produced different values of ƒAPAR with the same LAI when canopy cover was varied, indicating that errors in the estimation of canopy cover in the MODIS algorithm due to the land cover classification used are a possible cause of the ƒAPAR discrepancy. This is one of the first studies of MODIS land product performance in a time-series context. Despite a bias in ƒAPAR, our results demonstrate that the woodland canopy phonology is captured in the MODIS product.