MCD43D30: Daily Global BRDF/Albedo Parameters for Climate Models

MCD43D30 Version 6 is a NASA-produced daily global dataset of Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo model parameters at 30 arc second (1,000 meter) resolution. It is derived from 16 days of combined Terra and Aqua MODIS observations, temporally weighted to the ninth day, and is formatted for Climate Modeling Grids (CMG). This specific product contains the geometric parameter for the MODIS shortwave broadband, used in conjunction with isotropic and volumetric parameters to derive surface albedo.

Use Cases

• Modeling surface albedo for climate simulations based on the daily, globally gridded BRDF parameters.
• Analyzing shortwave broadband reflectance dynamics based on the geometric, isotropic, and volumetric model parameters.
• Assessing land surface properties for climate studies based on the 30 arc second Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) format.
• Quality filtering of remote sensing data for science applications based on the band-specific quality flags mentioned in the user guide.

Strengths

• Provides daily global coverage at a consistent 30 arc second (1,000 meter) spatial resolution.
• Integrates observations from both the Terra and Aqua MODIS satellite platforms over a 16-day period.
• Specifically designed for use in climate simulation models as a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) product.

Limitations

• This Version 6 product was decommissioned on July 31, 2023, with users urged to use the corrected Version 6.1.
• Known issues in the Collection 6 surface reflectance inputs may impact product quality, particularly over arid bright surfaces.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Produced daily using 16 days of Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data.

Time Range

Daily production, with data temporally weighted to the ninth day of a 16-day period.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03 12 23:24:16.779478; freshness should be verified as the dataset is decommissioned.

Geography

Global coverage.