Estimation of vegetation parameters from MODIS FPAR time series, Landsat TM and ETM+ products, and ICESat for soil erosion modelling

This study builds on results from our analysis of a time series of the global MODIS Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active radiation that a plant canopy absorbs, and a relationship between the product to Landsat TM and ETM+ green and non-green fractions of ground cover and vegetation structural categories in the dry tropical savannas in Queensland, Australia. In a multiple regression analysis (including interaction terms) 75% of the variability in dry season MODIS FPAR was explained by the Landsat datasets. The vegetation structural categories were determined through classes of Landsat woody foliage projective cover. Based on those findings, we developed three schemes to derive high temporal, remotely sensed cover factor estimates integrating the MODIS FPAR with the Landsat products, and ICESat canopy height estimates for potential use in future erosion modelling. Those cover factor schemes are the first of their kind, and a future study will enable their validation.