MODIS GPP, fPAR, SST, and ENSO Index for Baja California, 2000-2013

MODIS-derived satellite data provides gross primary productivity (2000-2010), fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (2003-2013), and sea surface temperature (2003-2013) for three coastal transects on the Baja California Peninsula. The dataset includes the NOAA Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) for the same period as a climate oscillation indicator. Measurements are tied to eight specific terrestrial sites across Punta Colonet, Punta Abreojos, and Magdalena Bay.

Use Cases

• Analyzing the impact of El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on coastal vegetation productivity using the MEI index and GPP time series.
• Correlating sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies with photosynthetic activity (fPAR) in adjacent coastal ecosystems.
• Studying long-term (decadal) trends in gross primary productivity for specific sites along the Baja California coast.
• Investigating land-ocean climate linkages by combining terrestrial GPP/fPAR data with offshore SST and basin-scale ENSO data.

Strengths

• Provides a 14-year time series (2000-2013) for key biophysical and climate variables.
• Integrates data from multiple satellite-derived products (MODIS GPP, fPAR, SST) with a key climate index (NOAA MEI).
• Geographically specific, with data anchored to eight named terrestrial sites across three transects in Baja California.

Limitations

• Metadata completeness is low: column names, row counts, and exact data formats are unspecified.
• Conflicting freshness: one source lists a last update in 2026, while the authoritative NASA source indicates the data collection ended in 2013.
• The license is listed as 'other-license-specified' without details, requiring user investigation.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), MODIS and NOAA MEI sources.

Collection Method

Satellite-derived (MODIS) and index data (NOAA MEI).

Time Range

2000-2013 (GPP: 2000-2010; fPAR, SST, MEI: 2003-2013)

Freshness

2026-04-10 04:38:16.917964 (from datagov, conflicts with NASA's 2013 end date)

Geography

Three transects on the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, and the adjacent Pacific Ocean, including sites at Punta Colonet, Punta Abreojos, and Magdalena Bay.