ISLSCP II AVHRR Albedo and BRDF, 1995

Global land surface albedo and reflectance data are provided at quarter, half, and one-degree spatial resolutions. The dataset contains Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) parameters, white-sky albedo, and black-sky albedo at solar noon for three spectral bands (350-680nm, 680-3000nm, and 350-30000nm). These parameters, derived from AVHRR satellite observations, can be combined to model instantaneous albedo under varying atmospheric conditions.

Use Cases

• Modeling surface energy budgets based on spectral albedo values.
• Calibrating or validating other satellite-derived reflectance products using the BRDF parameters.
• Studying land cover changes by analyzing surface reflectance characteristics.
• Incorporating surface radiative properties into climate models using the provided spatial resolutions.

Strengths

• Data is available at multiple spatial resolutions (quarter, half, and one degree).
• Provides both black-sky (direct beam) and white-sky (diffuse) albedo components.
• Covers three distinct spectral bands relevant to vegetation and surface studies.

Limitations

• Conflicting metadata: one platform lists a last update in 2026, while another indicates data is from 1995.
• No column names or row counts are provided, limiting understanding of data structure.
• The license is ambiguously listed as 'other-license-specified' without details.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Derived from AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) satellite observations.

Time Range

1995

Freshness

1995-07-31 23:59:59.999000

Geography

Global