MCD43D05: MODIS BRDF Volumetric Parameter for Band 2

MCD43D05 Version 6.1 provides the volumetric parameter for the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) model for MODIS band 2. This daily, global dataset is generated at a 30 arc-second (1,000 meter) resolution using 16 days of Terra and Aqua MODIS observations, temporally weighted to the ninth day. The volumetric parameter, alongside isotropic and geometric parameters, is used to derive albedo and BRDF values for climate and land surface modeling.

Use Cases

• Climate model initialization and validation based on global land surface albedo parameters.
• Land surface anisotropy analysis using the derived BRDF model parameters.
• Time-series analysis of surface reflectance changes using daily, temporally-weighted data.
• Assessing the quality of albedo retrievals using the band-specific quality flags described in the user guide.

Strengths

• Provides a specific model parameter (volumetric) for a key MODIS spectral band (Band 2).
• Offers daily, global coverage at a consistent 1km resolution suitable for climate models.
• Represents Version 6.1, which includes calibration improvements for Terra and Aqua MODIS sensors.

Limitations

• Specific column names and dataset size/row counts are not provided by any source.
• Relies on user application of quality flags to isolate highest-quality data, as per the guide.
• Each product file contains only one data layer due to large file sizes.

Provenance

Source

LPCLOUD (NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center).

Collection Method

Produced daily from 16 days of Terra and Aqua MODIS data.

Freshness

Last updated metadata on 2026-04-09 according to nasa_earthdata and datagov.

Geography

Global coverage (Climate Modeling Grid).