Soil Moisture and Temperature Data from Iowa Watershed Experiment

2002 data from the Soil Moisture Experiment 2002 (SMEX02) collected in Walnut Creek, Iowa. The dataset contains several measured parameters related to soil and land surface properties. It is produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite soil moisture retrievals using ground-based measurements of soil moisture water content.
• Modeling soil thermal properties and energy fluxes using soil temperature and land surface temperature data.
• Analyzing soil salinity impacts on agriculture using electrical conductivity and soil salinity measurements.
• Studying watershed-scale hydrology by examining time-series data of soil parameters from a network of stations.

Strengths

• Data originates from a focused NASA field experiment (SMEX02), ensuring a controlled collection environment.
• Covers multiple interrelated soil parameters including moisture, temperature, and conductivity for a holistic view.
• The dataset's cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA Earthdata indicates its recognized importance.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and dataset size are not provided by any source, limiting detailed assessment.
• Conflicting last updated dates exist: Data.gov shows 2026 (likely a placeholder), while NASA Earthdata shows 2002.
• The license is ambiguously listed as 'other-license-specified' without clear terms.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured parameters from the Soil Moisture Experiment 2002 (SMEX02) field campaign.

Time Range

2002

Freshness

2002-07-12 23:59:59.999000

Geography

Walnut Creek watershed, Iowa, USA