Fractional cover metrics - MODIS, ABARES algorithm, Australia coverage

Fractional cover metrics - MODIS, ABARES algorithm, Australia coverage

Figure 1: Seasonal median ground cover for 2012 to 2013

Figure 2: Annual fractional cover and rainfall for the Nullarbor Plain from 2000 to 2012

Link to the data

We plan to copy to NetCDF-CF format.

Data licence and Access rights

Alternate title

MODIS-derived vegetation fractional cover metrics.

Abstract or Summary

The MODIS‐derived vegetation fractional cover metrics is a collection of image files which statistically summarise the time‐series vegetation fractional cover data set (Guerschman et al. 2009; Guerschman et al. 2012) for Australia from March 2000 to current. Considering user needs, the MODIS‐derived vegetation fractional cover metrics data set comprises the following rasters: mean, standard deviation, minimum value, maximum value, time of minimum and time of maximum, for the PV, NPV and BS themes, and; the percentage of each of the data quality flag classes (0, 1, 2 and 255) for the FLAG theme. The metrics summarise calendar years, seasons (three months) and each month from March 2000 to current.

Spatial and Temporal extents

Point of contact

Need to add position titles for Lucy and Rob.

Keywords

There are three main thesauri that AusCover recommends:

1. Global Change Master Directory (http://gcmd.nasa.gov)
2. Climate and Forecast (CF) convention standard names (http://cfconventions.org/standard-names.html).
3. Fields of Research codes (http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/6BB427AB9696C225CA2574180004463E?opendocument).

Data quality

The quality of the fractional cover product is dependant on the quality of the MODIS NBAR data, and subject to uncertainties and bias as described in Guerschman et al. (2009 and 2012). The phased production strategy of producing a 16-day composite every 8 days and the combination of the Terra and Aqua sensors in the MCD43A4 collection 5 enhances the chances of obtaining enough cloud-free data for each pixel in each date compared to the same data in collection 4. However, there are still areas with poor data availability, notably in the tropical areas during the monsoonal rains (November to April).
 
The quality of the metrics is further affected by the frequency of missing or constrained data, such as where FLAG classes 0 + 1 is less than 50 per cent. These pixels have been excluded from the analysis.  

Validation status

Detail procedures or work undertaken to validate the products. Include references to reports (full reference information can be added in the Reference section). If no validation has yet been done, detail how one might validate the product.

Related products

References

Algorithm summary

See the user guide documentation, available at https://rs.nci.org.au/u39/public/html/modis/fractionalcover-metrics-abares/.

Product version history

Metadata history