Exploitation of angular effects in land surface observations from satellites

Background

Remote sensing approaches using wide field of view scanners such as the AVHRR have often obviated the angular dependence of reflected and emitted radiation. Therefore the accuracy of the geophysical products derived does not meet the requested requirements for user communities concerned with climate change, carbon and water cycles, etc. With the advent of a new generation of global imaging spectroradiometers capable of acquiring simultaneous multi-angle observations, both qualitatively new approaches as well as quantitative improvements in accuracy are achievable that exploit the multi-angle signals as unique and rich sources of diagnostic information.

Objectives

The objectives of the project are the following ones:

-	EVALUATION-CORRECTION: To evaluate and to reduce the associated uncertainty with the angular effects in the historical (by means of a retrospective study of Europe, using Pathfinder NOAA Land data from 1981 to present) and current (ATSR, SEVIRI/MSG, MODIS, MERIS) sensors.

-	MODELLING: To propose improved algorithms using the available multi-angular measurements so that to permit generating sensors independent bio-geophysical products.

-	DEMONSTRATION: To provide a demonstration of improvements in biophysical parameters obtained with the proposed algorithms.

-	VALIDATION: To validate models and products using in situ field data.

-	APPLICATION: To provide a dynamical biophysical map of Europe that will be continuously updated by comparing modelling results with actual observations from the various sensor systems.

-	RECOMMENDATION: To indicate the new algorithms and sensor configurations that should be considered in the future to improve the estimations of the biophysical parameters.

The research intends to create strong interfaces with the user community and with operational production services to be implemented in Europe in the GMES framework and this will contribute to the establishment of a European Capacity for global monitoring of environment.