Hydrological Remote Sensing
Principal Investigator: Berg, Aaron A (3)
Licence Number: 16119
Organization: University of Guelph
Licensed Year(s): 2018 2017 2016
Issued: Jun 29, 2017
Project Team: Tracy Rowlandson, Simon Zwieback, Christopher Derksen, Philip Marsh

Objective(s): To monitor the spatial variability of soil moisture at the scale of a Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) 36km pixel centered around the Trail Valley Creek (TVC) watershed; and to evaluate the current soil moisture algorithms and products currently utilized by SMAP.

Project Description: This research has two main objectives: 1) to monitor the spatial variability of soil moisture at the scale of a Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) 36km pixel centered around the Trail Valley Creek (TVC) watershed; and, 2) to evaluate the current soil moisture algorithms and products currently utilized by SMAP. To achieve the first objective, the research team will install soil moisture monitoring probes at 10 locations within a 36km pixel centered around TVC. At each location sensors will be placed at depths of 5cm and 10cm and connected to a data-logger and solar panel. These stations will be installed in early to mid-June, depending on the depth of the permafrost. The monitoring sites will remain installed until the beginning to mid-September when they will be removed. The installation process involves digging a hole to a depth suitable for the installation of the 20cm sensor. Soil cores will also be extracted at each depth and will be used to create a site-specific calibration of the sensors (calibration will be conducted at the University of Guelph). Each monitoring site has little to no influence on the natural environment. To evaluate the soil moisture retrieval algorithms, the data collected from the network will be compared to the satellite derived soil moisture estimates. The results of this study will mainly be communicated through peer-reviewed journal articles and through national and international conference presentations. Publications will be made available to all parties interested. There is also the possibility of local presentations made to interested parties. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from June 29, 2017 to September 4, 2017.