MODIS/Terra+Aqua: Global 500m Leaf Area Index and FPAR 4-Day Composites

MCD15A3H Version 6.1 provides a global 500-meter resolution composite of Leaf Area Index and Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation every four days. The product is generated by NASA from the best available pixels from both the Terra and Aqua satellite MODIS sensors. Known calibration issues and improvements are documented on the MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website.

Use Cases

• Modeling carbon and water cycles based on global Leaf Area Index (LAI) data
• Monitoring vegetation health and productivity based on Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR)
• Calibrating and validating land surface models using 500-meter resolution satellite composites
• Analyzing seasonal and interannual vegetation dynamics from 4-day temporal composites

Strengths

• Data is a composite from two NASA satellites (Terra and Aqua), likely improving temporal coverage and reducing gaps
• Version 6.1 includes specific calibration improvements for reflectance bands and optical crosstalk corrections
• Provides two key biophysical variables (LAI and FPAR) at a 500-meter spatial resolution

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Known issues exist, requiring users to consult an external website for complete information

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Algorithm selects the best pixel from all acquisitions of MODIS sensors on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites within a 4-day period.

Time Range

Temporal coverage is not specified in the provided input.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:37:26.518878; freshness should be verified

Geography

Global