Wetland dynamics using a suite of satellite observations: A case study of application and evaluation for the Indian Subcontinent

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 33; no. 8
• Main Authors: Papa, Fabrice, Prigent, Catherine, Durand, Fabien, Rossow, William B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2006; American Geophysical Union
• Subjects: Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Sciences of the Universe; microwaves; Climatology; floods; rainfall; projects; atmospheric precipitation; Space remote sensing; Variability; Consistency; Infrared observation; Satellite observation; global; case studies; in situ; Rainfall rate; wetlands; dynamics; Water level; correlation; Rain gauge; River water; monsoons; radar methods; seasonal variations
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/2006GL025767

Using a suite of satellite observations, including passive and active microwave along with visible and infrared observations developed to estimate wetlands on a global scale, the present study examine wetlands spatial and temporal dynamics over the Indian subcontinent, a region subject to an annual monsoon. Monthly wetlands extent estimates over a 2‐year (1993–1994) period and their consistency are analyzed using independent data sets, such as rainfall rate in‐situ rain‐gauge observations and the Global Precipitation Climatology Project product, as well as river water levels derived from radar altimeter observations. The extent variations show a good agreement with the rain‐gauge data, a high correlation with the GPCP rain data and a similar seasonal cycle with the altimeter estimates over the 2 years. This case study evaluation shows the potential of the remote sensing to give spatial‐temporal consistent information on the variability of flooded areas and encourages the development of longer satellite wetlands estimates.