Development of S-NPP VIIRS surface type products

Rui Zhang, University of Maryland, zhangrui@umd.edu (Presenter)
Chengquan Huang, University of Maryland, cqhuang@umd.edu
Kuan Song, University of Maryland, songkuan@yahoo.com
Mark Friedl, Boston University, friedl@bu.edu
Damien Sulla-Menashe, Boston University, sullamenashe@gmail.com
Xiwu Zhan, NOAA/NESDIS, xiwu.zhan@noaa.gov

The accurate representation of actual terrestrial surface types from regional to global scales is critical for many carbon cycle and ecosystem studies. S-NPP VIIRS surface type classification map, which inherited the development of NASA’s MODIS land cover products, has been generated using acquired VIIRS surface reflectance data. The original VIIRS surface type classification follows the legend of International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), which is primarily designed for global carbon cycle studies and climate modelling at global scale. The VIIRS surface type classification map in IGBP types has been validated against high resolution imagery, and satisfactory classification accuracy has been achieved. Meanwhile, for some other studies, different classification types are required. For instance, the retrieval of global leaf area index (LAI) and fraction of photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by the vegetation (fAPAR) relies on accurate discrimination of surface type map in six major biome classes based on their canopy structures, which include: Grass/Cereal Crops, Shrubs, Broadleaf Crops, Savannas, Broadleaf Forests, and Needleleaf Forests. Therefore, in this study, the original VIIRS surface type classification map in IGBP types is further being developed into different classification legends, and the global map in biome types have been generated based on a LUT conversion from IGBP legend data with the ancillary data. In this study, the creation of S-NPP surface type classification map in IGBP legend and conversions to the biome types are presented. The validation of IGBP legend map is briefly introduced. The global biome classification map is under evaluation and comprehensive validations will be conducted in future studies.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  General Contributions   (Tue 4:35 PM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Huang, Cheng: Role of Forest Disturbance and Regrowth in the US Carbon Budget ...details

Poster Location ID: 264