BODY OF KNOWLEDGE FOR THE EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION SECTOR – A BASIS FOR INNOVATIVE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Vegetation water observations from 272 field-based GNSS sensors and satellite-based vegetation optical depth are compared across the western U.S. We find significant positive correlations across the sites and identify common conditions that increase the correlations including less forest cover, more homogeneous vegetation across landscapes, and large seasonal amplitudes. These field-based sensors are thus useful tools to evaluate grass and shrub water stress and validate satellite signals.

This study compares established evapotranspiration products in central Europe and evaluates their multi-seasonal performance during wet and drought phases in 2017–2020 together with important soil–plant–atmosphere drivers. Results show that SEVIRI, ERA5-land, and GLEAM perform best compared to ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System) measurements. During moisture-limited drought years, ET (evapotranspiration) decreases due to decreasing soil moisture and increasing vapor pressure deficit, while in other years ET is mainly controlled by VPD (vapor pressure deficit).

The cloud occurrence over the Antarctic Plateau is characterized using ground-based interferometric data from 2012 to 2020. The results show a yearly pattern, and a six-month cycle linked to atmospheric oscillations. The cloud radiative forcing at far infrared doubles during cloud occurrence oscillation peaks. Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) Level 2 products are compared to ground data, showing an improved agreement in cloud identification from year 2020.

This is a concept study of water dynamics across winter wheat starting from ground-based L-band radiometry in combination with on-site measurements of soil and atmosphere. We research the feasibility of estimating water potentials and seasonal flux rates of water (water uptake from soil and transpiration rates into the atmosphere) within the soil-plant-atmosphere system (SPAS) of a winter wheat field. The main finding is that L-band radiometry can be integrated into field-based SPAS assessment.