Snow-Free Gap-Filled MODIS Reflectance Anisotropy, Nadir Reflectance and Albedos for Land Modeling Applications

Crystal Schaaf, Environmental Earth and Ocean Sciences, schaaf@bu.edu (Presenter)
Qingsong Sun, Boston University, sqs@bu.edu
Qingling Zhang, Yale University, qingling.zhang@yale.edu
Zhuosen Wang, Boston University, wangzhs@bu.edu
Feng Zhao, UC Berkeley, fengbjfu@gmail.com
Alan Strahler, Boston University, alan@bu.edu
Michael King, LASP/University of Colorado, michael.king@lasp.colorado.edu
Steven Platnick, NASA/GSFC, steven.e.platnick@nasa.gov
Eric Burroughs-Moody, NASA/GSFC, eric.g.moody@gmail.com
Feng Gao, USDA/ARS, feng.gao@ars.usda.gov

The operational reflectance anisotropy or BRDF (Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function) products developed from the MODIS sensors aboard NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites are used to create global spatially and temporally complete snow-free Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) models, surface albedo quantities and Nadir BRDF-Adjusted Reflectances (NBAR) to support global climate modeling efforts. These V005 global 30 arc-sec products (CMG or climate modeling grid products in geographic lat-lon) are provided at a 8 day time-step (based on a 16-day window). Although more than a decade of operational MODIS BRDF and albedo products now exist, inclusion in global climate models has been somewhat limited due to the extensive gaps caused by consistent cloud cover and ephemeral snow cover. The focus of this effort has been to realistically bridge these gaps in the high quality operational MODIS BRDF products with the application of rigorous temporal interpolation techniques based on per-pixel vegetation development curves computed with the Timesat methodology. These higher spatial and temporal resolution products are also being prepared to replace and extend the earlier V004 gap-filled albedo products produced in collaboration with the MODIS Atmosphere Team (Moody et al., 2008; 2005). The availability of the underlying BRDF information also allows modelers to use MODIS albedo and NBAR data at solar illumination angles other than the local solar noon results traditionally provided.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  Coupled Processes at Land-Atmosphere-Ocean Interfaces   (Mon 4:00 PM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Schaaf, Crystal: MODIS Albedo, Nadir Reflectance, and Reflectance Anisotropy for Environmental Modeling and Monitoring ...details

Poster Location ID: 78