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Title: Validating the BERMS in situ soil moisture network with a large scale temporary network

Author
item Cosh, Michael
item JACKSON, THOMAS
item SMITH, CRAIG - ENVIRONMENT CANADA
item TOTH, BRENDA - ENVIRONMENT CANADA

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/30/2011
Publication Date: 2/19/2012
Citation: Cosh, M.H., Jackson, T.J., Smith, C., Toth, B. 2012. Validating the BERMS in situ soil moisture network with a large scale temporary network [abstract]. American Geophysical Union Chapman Conference on Remote Sensing of the Terrestrial Water Cycle. 19-22:49.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Calibration and validation of soil moisture satellite products requires data records of large spatial and temporal extent, but obtaining this data can be challenging. These challenges can include remote locations, and expense of equipment. One location with a long record of soil moisture data is the Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERMS) in Saskatchewan Canada. In and around the BERMS study area, there are five long term soil moisture profile stations. These stations provide a critical but incomplete view of the soil moisture patterns across the domain of study of 10,000 square kilometers. In coordination with the Canadian Experiment-Soil Moisture 2010 (CANEX-SM10), a temporary network of surface soil moisture sensors was installed during the summer of 2010 to enhance the data resources of the BERMS network. During the 3-month deployment, 20 stations recorded surface information for use in validating the network and the recently launched Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) Satellite. Using temporal stability analysis, this network was able to scale the BERMS network to a satellite scale footprint which can be extrapolated beyond the time period of the installation. The accuracy of the network as compared to gravimetric sampling is also being evaluated for the summer months.