Synergy of L-band and Optical Data for Soil Moisture Monitoring
O. Merlin, J.P. Walker and R. Panciera
Both passive microwave and optical data can be used for soil moisture monitoring. The combination of both data types potentially leads to soil moisture products at improved spatial resolution and accuracy. On one hand, passive microwave data are more directly linked to near-surface soil moisture than optical data. On the other hand, satellite data have a higher spatial resolution in the optical domain than from passive microwave. The synergy of L-band and optical data is first illustrated with the PLMR and MODIS data acquired during NAFE'06. An example of deterministic downscaling of passive microwave derived soil moisture is next developed based on optical derived evaporative fraction.