Snow is a significant component of the ecosystem and water resources in high-mountain Asia (HMA). Therefore, accurate, continuous, and long-term snow monitoring is indispensable for the water resources management and economic development. The present study improves the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard Terra and Aqua satellites 8 d (“d” denotes “day”) composite snow cover Collection 6 (C6) products, named MOD10A2.006 (Terra) and MYD10A2.006 (Aqua), for HMA with a multistep approach. The primary purpose of this study was to reduce uncertainty in the Terra–Aqua MODIS snow cover products and generate a combined snow cover product. For reducing underestimation mainly caused by cloud cover, we used seasonal, temporal, and spatial filters. For reducing overestimation caused by MODIS sensors, we combined Terra and Aqua MODIS snow cover products, considering snow only if a pixel represents snow in both the products; otherwise it is classified as no snow, unlike some previous studies which consider snow if any of the Terra or Aqua product identifies snow. Our methodology generates a new product which removes a significant amount of uncertainty in Terra and Aqua MODIS 8 d composite C6 products comprising 46 % overestimation and 3.66 % underestimation, mainly caused by sensor limitations and cloud cover, respectively. The results were validated using Landsat 8 data, both for winter and summer at 20 well-distributed sites in the study area. Our validated adopted methodology improved accuracy by 10 % on average, compared to Landsat data. The final product covers the period from 2002 to 2018, comprising a combination of snow and glaciers created by merging Randolph Glacier Inventory version 6.0 (RGI 6.0) separated as debris-covered and debris-free with the final snow product MOYDGL06*. We have processed approximately 746 images of both Terra and Aqua MODIS snow containing approximately 100 000 satellite individual images. Furthermore, this product can serve as a valuable input dataset for hydrological and glaciological modelling to assess the melt contribution of snow-covered areas. The data, which can be used in various climatological and water-related studies, are available for end users at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.901821 (Muhammad and Thapa, 2019).
SHER Muhammad
The dataset of ground truth measurements synchronizing with Envisat ASAR was obtained in No.2 quadrate of the A'rou foci experimental area on Oct. 17, 2007 during the pre-observation period. The Envisat ASAR data were in AP mode and VV/VH polarization combinations, and the overpass time was approximately at 23:04 BJT. The quadrate was divided into 3×3 subsites, with each one spanning a 30×30 m2 plot. 25 sampling points were chosen, including centers and corners of each subsites. Simultaneous with the satellite overpass, numerous ground data were collected, soil volumetric moisture by ML2X; soil volumetric moisture, soil conductivity, soil temperature, and the real part of soil complex permittivity by WET soil moisture sensor; the surface radiative temperature by the hand-held infrared thermometer; soil gravimetric moisture, volumetric moisture, and soil bulk density after drying by the cutting ring (100cm^3). Meanwhile, vegetation parameters as height, coverage and water content were also observed. Surface roughness was detailed in the "WATER: Surface roughness dataset in the A'rou foci experimental area". Those provide reliable ground data for retrieval and validation of soil moisture and freeze/thaw status from active remote sensing approaches.
BAI Yunjie, HAO Xiaohua, LI Hongyi, LI Xin, LI Zhe
The dataset of fresh snow properties observations was obtained at the temporary sampling plot in the Qilian county on Mar. 20, 2008. Those provide reliable data for retrieval of snow parameters from remote sensing approaches. Observation items included: (1) Snow parameters such as snow depth, snow grain size by the handheld microscope, and snow density by the snow shovel (2) Fresh snow albedo by the total radiometer (3) Fresh snow spectrum by ASD Two files including raw data and preprocessed data were archived.
GE Chunmei, SHU Lele, WANG Xufeng, XU Zhen, ZHU Shijie, LIU Yan, ZHANG Pu
The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow synchronizing with EO-1 Hyperion and Landsat TM was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 17, 2008. Observation items included: (1) Snow parameters as snow depth by the ruler, the snow layer temperature by the probe thermometer, the snow grain size by the handheld microscope, the snow surface temperature and the snow-soil interface temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer simultaneous with the satellite in BG-A, BG-E, BG-F and BG-H. (2) Snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the Snowfork in BG-A, BG-E and BG-H. Besides, 25-hour fixed-point continuous observation was carried out at the Binggou cold region hydrometerological station. (3) The snow spectrum by ASD (Xinjiang Meteorological Administration) (4) Snow albedo by the total radiometer Two files including raw data and preprocessed data were archived.
BAI Yanfen, BAI Yunjie, GE Chunmei, HAO Xiaohua, LIANG Ji, SHU Lele, WANG Xufeng, XU Zhen, ZHU Shijie, MA Mingguo, CHANG Cun, DOU Yan, MA Zhongguo, JIANG Tenglong, XIAO Pengfeng , LIU Yan, ZHANG Pu
The dataset of snow spectral reflectance observations was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area from Dec. 5 to Dec. 15, 2007 during the pre-observation period. The aims of the measurements were to verify feasibility of the predetermined observation schemes and to collect data for retrieval from remote sensing approaches. All data were acquired by ASD spectrometer from Xinjiang Meteorological Administration. Observation items included: (1) Random observations on snow spectrum in the chosen snowpack at the Binggou cold region hydrometeorological station on Dec. 5, 6 and 7, 2007 (2) Snow spectrum observations in BG-A simultaneous with MODIS and Terra MISR on Dec. 10, 2007 (3) The pure and the mixed snow pixel spectrum in BG-A on Dec. 15, 2007 (4) Multi-angle snow spectrum in the chosen snowpack in BG-A on Dec. 15, 2007 Seven subfolders including raw data and pre-processed data are named after the acquisition time, Dec. 5, 2007, Dec. 6, 2007, Dec. 7, 2007, Dec. 10, 2007, Dec. 13, 2007, Dec. 15, 2007 and Dec. 15, 2007, respectively.
ZHANG Pu, LIU Yan
The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow synchronizing with the airborne PHI mission was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 24, 2008. Observation items included: (1) Snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the Snowfork in BG-A. (2) Snow parameters as the snow surface temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer, the snow layer temperature by the probe thermometer, the snow grain size by the handheld microscope, and snow density by the aluminum case in BG-A1, BG-A2, BG-B, BG-D, BG-E and BG-F5 (three sampling units each) from 11:11-12:35 (BJT) with the airplane overpass. 64 points were selected by four groups. (3) Snow albedo by the total radiometer in BG-A. (4) The snow spectrum by ASD (Xinjiang Meteorological Administration) in BG-A11 Two files including raw data and preprocessed data were archived.
GE Chunmei, GU Juan, HAO Xiaohua, LI Hongyi, LI Zhe, LIANG Ji, MA Mingguo, SHU Lele, WANG Jianhua, WANG Xufeng, WU Yueru, XU Zhen, ZHU Shijie, LIANG Xingtao, LIU Zhigang, QU Wei, REN Jie, FANG Li, LI Hua, CHANG Cun, DOU Yan, MA Zhongguo, JIANG Tenglong, XIAO Pengfeng , LIU Yan, ZHANG Pu
The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow was obtained, synchronizing with airborne microwave radiometers (K&Ka bands) mission in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 29, 2008. Those provide reliable ground data for retrieval of snow properties and parameters, especially snow depth and snow water equivalent study. Observation items include (1) snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the snowfork in BG-A; (2) snow parameters in BG-A (18 points), BG-B (20 points), BG-EF (20 points) and BG-I (20 points): snow depth by the ruler, the snow temperature (mean of two measurements) by the probe thermometer, snow grain size by the handheld microscope, snow density by the cutting ring for each snow layer, and the snow surface temperature and the snow-soil interface temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer. For each snow pit, the snowpack was divided into several layers with 10-cm intervals of snow depth. Two files including raw data and pre-processed data were archived.
BAI Yanfen, BAI Yunjie, CAO Yongpan, GE Chunmei, GU Juan, HAN Xujun, HAO Xiaohua, LI Hongyi, LI Zhe, LIANG Ji, MA Mingguo, SHU Lele, WANG Xufeng, XU Zhen, ZHU Shijie, CHANG Cun, DOU Yan, MA Zhongguo, JIANG Tenglong, LIU Yan, ZHANG Pu
The dataset of ground-based microwave scatterometer and snow parameter observations was obtained in the Binggou watershed experimental area on Mar. 16, 2008. Observation items included: (1) Snow backscattering coefficient by the scatterometer (2) Snow parameters as the snow surface temperature by the probe thermometer, snow grain size by the handheld microscope, snow density by the snow shovel, the snow surface temperature and the snow-soil interface temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer in BG-I. (3) The snow spectrum by the portable ASD (Xinjiang Meteorological Administration) at the Dadongshu mountain pass; the major and minor axis and shape of the snow layer grain through the snow sieve. (4) Snow albedo by the total radiometer from 10:29 to 15:00 (5) Snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the Snowfork at the Dadongshu mountain pass Two subfolders including raw data and preprocessed data were archived.
LIU Zengcan, LIU Zengcan, QIN Wei, SHU Lele, WANG Xufeng, XU Zhen, ZHU Shijie, MA Mingguo, CHANG Cun, DOU Yan, MA Zhongguo, ZHANG Pu, JIANG Tenglong
The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow synchronizing with MODIS was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 14, 2008. Those provide reliable data for snow-cover extent mapping and the retrieval of the snow surface temperature from MODIS remote sensing approaches. Observation items included: (1) Snow parameters including the snow surface temperature, the snow-soil interface temperature, the land surface (ground surface) temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer, the snow layer temperature by the probe thermometer, snow depth by the ruler, snow density by the snow shovel, the snow grain size by the handheld microscope and the snow surface temperature synchronizing with MODIS. (2) Snow albedo by the total radiometer in BG-A from 11:10-13:24 on Mar. 14, 2008. (3) The snow spectrum by the portable ASD (Xinjiang Meteorological Administration) synchronizing with MODIS in BG-A and BG-I. Two files including raw data and the preprocessed data were archived.
BAI Yanfen, BAI Yunjie, GE Chunmei, GU Juan, HAO Xiaohua, LI Hongyi, LIANG Ji, SHU Lele, WANG Xufeng, XU Zhen, MA Mingguo, CHANG Cun, DOU Yan, MA Zhongguo, LIU Yan, ZHANG Pu
The dataset of ground truth measurement synchronizing with ALOS PALSAR was obtained in the Linze grassland foci experimental area on Jun. 10, 2008. The data were in FBS mode and HH/HV polarization combinations, and the overpass time was approximately at 23:39 BJT. Observations were carried out in plots A, B, C, D and E, which were divided into 6×6 subsites, with each one spanning a 120×120 m2 plot. Soil gravimetric moisture, volumetric moisture, and soil bulk density after drying by the cutting ring and the mean soil temperature from 0-5cm by the probe thermometer were measured in A, B and C; the soil temperature, soil moisture, the loss tangent, soil conductivity, the real part and the imaginary part of soil complex permittivity by the POGO soil sensor, and the mean soil temperature from 0-5cm by the probe thermometer in D and E. Data were archived in Excel file. See WATER: Dataset of setting of the sampling plots and stripes in the foci experimental area of Linze station for more information.
BAI Yanfen, CAO Yongpan, GE Chunmei, HU Xiaoli, WANG Shuguo, Wang Weizhen, WU Yueru, ZHU Shijie, FENG Lei
The dataset of ground truth measurements synchronizing with Envisat ASAR was obtained in No. 1 and 2 quadrates of the A'rou foci experimental area on Oct. 18, 2007 during the pre-observation period. The Envisat ASAR data were in AP mode and VV/VH polarization combinations, and the overpass time was approximately at 11:17 BJT. Both the quadrates were divided into 3×3 subsites, with each one spanning a 30×30 m2 plot. 25 sampling points were chosen, including centers and corners of each subsites. Simultaneous with the satellite overpass, numerous ground data were collected, soil volumetric moisture, soil conductivity, the soil temperature, and the real part of soil complex permittivity by the WET soil moisture sensor; the surface radiative temperature by the hand-held infrared thermometer; soil gravimetric moisture, volumetric moisture, and soil bulk density after drying by the cutting ring (100cm^3). Meanwhile, vegetation parameters as height, coverage and water content were also observed. Surface roughness was detailed in the "WATER: Surface roughness dataset in the A'rou foci experimental area". Those provide reliable ground data for retrieval and validation of soil moisture and freeze/thaw status from active remote sensing approaches.
BAI Yunjie, HAO Xiaohua, LI Hongyi, LI Xin, LI Zhe
Contact Support
Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS
0931-4967287
poles@itpcas.ac.cn
Links
National Tibetan Plateau Data CenterFollow Us
A Big Earth Data Platform for Three Poles © 2018-2020 No.05000491 | All Rights Reserved
｜ 
No.11010502040845
Tech Support: westdc.cn
