Abstract—Circular 1483
For accurate prediction of weather and near-term climate, root-zone soil moisture is one of the most crucial components driving the surface hydrological processes. Soil moisture in the top meter is also very important because it governs moisture and energy fluxes at the land-atmosphere interface and it plays a significant role in partitioning of the precipitation into runoff and infiltration.
Energy and moisture fluxes at the land surface can be estimated by Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere-Transfer (SVAT) models. These models are typically used in conjunction with climate prediction models and hydrological models. Even though the biophysics of moisture and energy transport is well-captured in most current SVAT models, the computational errors accumulate over time and the model estimates of soil moisture diverge from reality. One promising way to improve significantly the model estimates of soil moisture is by assimilating remotely sensed data that is sensitive to soil moisture, for example microwave brightness temperatures, and updating the model state variables.
The microwave brightness at low frequencies (< 10 GHz) is very sensitive to soil moisture in the top few centimeters in most vegetated surfaces. It is also sensitive to soil surface roughness.
Surface roughness was measured as part of the Fourth Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-4). More details regarding observations during the MicroWEX-4 can be found at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/AE/AE36200.pdf
This publication contains the detailed information regarding the soil surface roughness measurements conducted as part of the MicroWEX-4. To view the entire publication, see the accompanying PDF file on EDIS: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/AE/AE36300.pdf
For related documents, please visit:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE288
Field Data Report for the First Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-1), July 17–December 16, 2003, Citra, Florida
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/AE/AE36000.pdf
Field Data Report for the Second Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MIcroWEX-2): from March 17 through June 3, 2004
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/AE/AE36100.pdf
Field Observations During the Third Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-3): June 16–December 21, 2004
http:/edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/AE/AE36200.pdf
Field Observations During the Fourth Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-4): March 10–June 14, 2005