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Category: Biophysical ECVs

Posted on Posted in Atmospheric ECVs, Biophysical ECVs, Level 1 satellite traceability, MetEOC-4, Radiation ECVs, Updates

The last few months are seen something of a flurry of papers related to MetEOC-4 published in peer-reviewed journals, each featuring innovative and impactful outcomes we encourage you to view and download. Four papers have been published so far this year out of a total of 15 to date. In addition, ahead of publication, the paper Traceability of surface longwave irradiance measurements to SI using the IRIS radiometers is available as a pre-print for rapid dissemination. Accessible papers freely viewable online are tabulated below. Dive in!   Lead author Title Journal Publication date Veronica Escober Ruiz A novel C-band radar-drone for forest canopy profile characterization International Journal of Remote Sensing 21 April 2023 Ilaria Cazzaniga AERONET-OC LWN uncertainties: revisited Journal of Atmospheric and …

Round-up of recently published papers authored by MetEOC-4 participants Read more »

Posted on Posted in Biophysical ECVs, MetEOC-4, Updates

Long term operation of network supporting the validation of satellite ocean colour observations contributing to the quantification of these natural ‘sinks’ of carbon. Marking the twentieth anniversary of the Ocean Colour component of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET-OC), Frédéric Mélin, of MetEOC-4 External Funded Partner JRC, summarises ‘fruitful encounters’ between the AERONET-OC ocean colour network and MetEOC projects. But first, some background. An objective of the MetEOC series of projects is to develop satellite derived SI-traceable measurement methods to measure greenhouse gases emissions and carbon sinks. The context for that requirement is that knowledge of the amounts of greenhouse gases absorbed by such sinks will be a critical part of the equation for any workable net zero strategy. Currently, the earth’s oceans …

Guest post: Twenty years of AERONET-OC provision of ocean colour calibration and validation data Read more »

Posted on Posted in Biophysical ECVs, MetEOC-4, Updates

New evidence suggests assumptions of tree size-to-mass scale-invariance is not well-justified for this kind of forest, which has wider implications for climate mitigation actions. UK forests could store almost double the amount of carbon than previous calculations suggest, with consequences for the understanding of carbon stocks and climate actions, according to a paper published today based on data produced in MetEOC. The paper, Laser scanning reveals potential underestimation of biomass carbon in temperate forest, published in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence presents new empirical evidence showing that the fundamental assumption of tree size-to-mass scale-invariance is not well-justified for this kind of forest. The article goes on to suggest that testing the underlying assumptions of allometric models more generally is an urgent priority …

Laser scanning reveals underestimation of above-ground biomass in Wytham Woods test site Read more »

Posted on Posted in Atmospheric ECVs, Biophysical ECVs, Level 1 satellite traceability, MetEOC-4, Radiation ECVs, TRUTHS, Updates

Marking a halfway reporting milestone, on 14 September 2022 EURAMET published its MetEOC-4 Publishable Summary that highlights significant recent progress made toward the long-term objective of the MetEOC series: development of an SI-traceable climate observation system. As with preceding projects in this series, MetEOC-4 encompasses a diverse range of research activities, structured according to four themes matching a set of predefined objectives. It continues existing, and initiates new, lines of research, developing tools, methods, and infrastructure capable of assigning metrologically (SI) traceable uncertainties to data products derived from Earth Observations, with a focus on climate change. More than half of the 54 atmosphere, land, and ocean Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) rely on measurements from space. These are physical, chemical, biological, or …

Roundup of progress in first eighteen months of MetEOC-4 Read more »

Posted on Posted in Biophysical ECVs, meteoc-3, Updates

The European Union’s Earth Observation program, Copernicus, provides accurate, timely and easily accessible information regarding our planet and its environment. A key component of the program is the Sentinel family of satellites, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). There are currently five missions in orbit comprising of 8 Sentinel satellites, which have objectives ranging from measuring sea levels to monitoring air pollution. One of these missions is Sentinel-3, (see figure 1), which has a primary focus to monitor the ocean and coastal areas. Currently, there are two Sentinel-3 satellites in orbit, with the first, Sentinel-3A, launched in February 2016 followed by Sentinel-3B in April 2018. A key payload carried by Sentinel-3 is the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI), an …

MetEOC-3 provides Metrological uncertainty analysis of OLCI sensor onboard Sentinel-3 satellite Read more »

Posted on Posted in Biophysical ECVs, meteoc-3, Updates

One of the goals of MetEOC-3 is to provide  traceability for estimating terrestrial biophysical Essential Climate Variable (ECV) products through in situ, airborne and satellite measurements. Satellite-derived ECV products and the algorithms they use depend on empirical in situ measurements collected on the ground, which requires long term monitoring at field sites. However, ground data collection can be highly laborious and time consuming and thus more efficient methods to produce in situ measurements are required. Drones offer a convenient measurement platform between those done on foot and from manned aircrafts. They also have the potential to provide autonomous test site monitoring and reduce laborious ground measurements requiring humans. MetEOC-3 continues the work started in the previous MetEOC projects in developing traceable …

Drone-based laser scanning and hyperspectral imaging conducted at Wytham Woods test site Read more »