NACP MCI: Crop Productivity and Biophysical Properties from Nebraska Flux Towers

173 measurement campaigns from 2001-2008 integrate ground-based hyperspectral canopy reflectance (400-1100 nm), AmeriFlux tower GPP estimates, and satellite-derived vegetation indices for corn and soybean fields near Lincoln, Nebraska. The dataset includes ground measurements of total chlorophyll content and leaf area index, collected at 5.4 m above the canopy during growing seasons from May to October. Companion files provide algorithms relating spectral information to flux-based estimates of gross primary production.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite-derived vegetation indices using ground-based hyperspectral reflectance measurements.
• Developing algorithms to estimate gross primary production (GPP) from chlorophyll-related spectral indices.
• Analyzing the relationship between crop biophysical properties (LAI, Chl) and carbon flux in a major cropland system.
• Calibrating process-based crop models with integrated tower flux and biophysical measurement time series.

Strengths

• Integrates three distinct data layers: ground biophysical measurements, tower flux data, and satellite-derived indices.
• Provides a detailed time series of 173 measurement campaigns across eight consecutive growing seasons (2001-2008).
• Includes specific, reproducible measurement protocols (e.g., hyperspectral radiometers at 5.4 m height).

Limitations

• Data is reported only for selected days during growing seasons when ground reflectance was measured, not a continuous record.
• Conflicting metadata exists: one platform lists a last update in 2026, while another lists 2008, casting doubt on maintenance.
• Complete column names and dataset size are not provided on any platform, limiting immediate assessment of structure.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Ground-based hyperspectral radiometry, AmeriFlux tower eddy covariance measurements, and processing of Landsat, MERIS, and MODIS satellite imagery.

Time Range

2001 to 2008

Freshness

2026-04-10 00:33:58.315210

Geography

Three eddy covariance flux tower locations near Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; cropland with corn and soybeans.