Title
Estimation of Surface Freeze-Thaw States Using Microwave Sensors
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Title
Encyclopedia of Hydrological Sciences
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date
2005
Volume
Chapter 53
Abstract
The transition of the landscape between predominantly frozen and nonfrozen conditions in seasonally frozen environments impacts climate, hydrological, ecological, and biogeochemical processes profoundly. Satellite microwave remote sensing is uniquely capable of detecting and monitoring a range of related biophysical processes associated with the measurement of landscape freeze/thaw status. This chapter provides an overview of the development, physical basis, current techniques, and selected hydrological applications of satellite-borne microwave remote sensing of landscape freeze/thaw states for the terrestrial cryosphere. Major landscape hydrological processes embracing the remotely sensed freeze/thaw signal include timing and spatial dynamics of seasonal snowmelt and associated soil thaw, runoff generation, and flooding, ice breakup in large rivers and lakes, and timing and length of vegetation growing seasons and associated productivity and trace gas exchange. This chapter also summarizes the physical principles of microwave sensitivity to landscape freeze/thaw state, recent progress in applying these principles towards satellite remote sensing of freeze/thaw processes over broad regions, and potential for future global monitoring of this significant phenomenon of the global cryosphere.
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/0470848944.hsa059a
Rights
© 2005 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Recommended Citation
McDonald, K. C. and Kimball, J. S. 2006. Estimation of Surface Freeze–Thaw States Using Microwave Sensors. Encyclopedia of Hydrological Sciences edited by M. G. Anderson. 5:53. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/0470848944.hsa059a