This is the second part of the validation effort of the recently developed vector version of the 6S (Second Simulation of a Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum) radiative transfer code (6SV1), primarily used for the calculation of look-up tables in the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) atmospheric correction algorithm. The 6SV1 code was tested against a Monte Carlo code a...

We appreciate the comments on our recent study (1) from Wang et al. (2). Our study showed that the start of the growing season (SOS), derived from analysis of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), continued to advance in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) from 1982 to 2011. Wang et al. (2) agreed with this conclusion but stated that the SOS advancement rate could be overestimated after compariso...

[1] This work evaluates whether continuity between Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is achievable for monitoring phenological changes in Alaska. This work also evaluates whether NDVI can detect changes in start of the growing season (SOS) in this region. Six quadratic regressi...

Daily June-July melt fraction variations over the Greenland ice sheet (GIS) derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) (2000-2013) are associated with atmospheric blocking forming an omega-shape ridge over the GIS at 500 hPa height. Blocking activity with a range of time scales, from synoptic waves breaking poleward (<5 days) to full-fledged blocks (≥5 days), brings ...

Statistical correction methods, the Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) matching technique and Regional Statistics Method (RSM) are applied to adjust the limited temporal variability of Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer E (AMSR-E) data using the Common Land Model (CLM). The temporal variability adjustment between CLM and AMSR-E data was conducted for annual and seasonal periods for 2003...

This paper presents a study of examining the correlation between the satellite observations and the ground-based measurements of air quality in Ontario, Canada. Two atmospheric parameters-total ozone burden (TOB), and aerosol optical depth (AOD) data-were extracted from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) atmosphere data products. TOB and AOD were then compared with the co...

After long periods of deforestation, forest transition has occurred globally, but the causes of forest transition in different countries are highly variable. Conservation policies may play important roles in facilitating forest transition around the world, including China. To restore forests and protect the remaining natural forests, the Chinese government initiated two nationwide conservation ...

In this paper, an approach based on Binary Division Algorithm, to detect the Hotspots using Multi-resolution fusion of band 1, band 2, band 31 and band 32 of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), NASA Satellite, for the Jharia (India) Region with the aid of image analysis and change detection technique has been proposed.

[1] This paper compares seasonal and spatial variations of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) albedos with those from the Common Land Model (CLM) by land cover type. MODIS albedo data in the year 2001 were used to determine seasonal, spatial, and land cover dependence at 1 km resolution and to investigate the biases in CLM. Albedo dependence on vegetation type is smaller than...

[1] The evaluation of the relationship between satellitederived vegetation indices (normalized difference vegetation index and normalized difference water index) and soil moisture improves our understanding of how these indices respond to soil moisture fluctuations. Soil moisture deficits are ultimately tied to drought stress on plants. The diverse terrain and climate of Oklahoma, the extensive...