ECOSTRESS Cloud Mask for Plant Stress Analysis

ECOSTRESS Version 1 cloud mask data provides a single-layer classification for cloud cover over global land surfaces between 52°N and 52°S. This Level 2 product, derived from five calibrated thermal bands using a multispectral thresholding approach, is designed to support analysis of plant temperature and water stress. The dataset was decommissioned in May 2025, with users directed to newer Version 2 products.

Use Cases

• Clearing cloud cover from ECO1BRAD radiance data to analyze surface thermal emissions.
• Masking clouds in ECO2LSTE land surface temperature estimates for accurate plant stress assessment.
• Preprocessing for ECO3ETPTJPL evapotranspiration models by identifying clear-sky pixels.
• Supporting water use efficiency calculations in the ECO4WUE product by providing a cloud mask layer.

Strengths

• Algorithm is documented in an Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD), providing transparency.
• Data has global coverage between 52 degrees north and south latitude.
• Product is designed for integration with five specific ECOSTRESS data products (ECO1BRAD, ECO2LSTE, etc.).

Limitations

• The product is decommissioned (as of May 21, 2025), indicating it is not the current operational version.
• Known data acquisition gaps exist due to instrument anomalies in 2018 and 2019.
• Sources conflict on license information (other-license-specified vs. null).

Provenance

Source

NASA LPCLOUD via the ECOSTRESS mission on the International Space Station.

Collection Method

Derived from five calibrated thermal bands using a multispectral cloud-conservative thresholding approach.

Time Range

From instrument launch on June 29, 2018, through product decommissioning on May 21, 2025.

Freshness

2026-03-13 03:02:36.563528

Geography

Global coverage between 52 degrees north and 52 degrees south latitude.