Monthly average primary production data quantifies carbon fixation in Lake Superior. NASA's Carbon Monitoring System derived this information from MODIS satellite imagery and model outputs. The dataset was last updated by the GES DISC in December 2013.
Use Cases
- Model seasonal phytoplankton dynamics in Lake Superior using monthly primary production values.
- Analyze interannual variability in carbon fixation rates from the time-series data.
- Correlate satellite-derived primary production with in-situ water quality measurements for validation.
- Assess the contribution of large lakes to regional carbon budgets using the geospatial carbon flux data.
Strengths
- Data derived from NASA's MODIS satellite sensor, a standard source for ocean color and productivity.
- Provides monthly temporal resolution for tracking seasonal cycles.
- Part of the NASA Carbon Monitoring System designed for policy-relevant accuracy and uncertainty quantification.
Limitations
- Temporal coverage ends in 2013, making the data over a decade old.
- Spatial coverage is limited to a single lake, Lake Superior.
- Lack of published row/column counts or sample data prevents assessment of dataset size.
Provenance
- Source
- NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC).
- Collection Method
- Derived from MODIS satellite imagery combined with model data.
- Time Range
- Monthly averages, specific years not stated in input.
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Lake Superior.