Abstract:
In peatlands, there is a very strong connection between surface and belowground water and carbon processes. The simulation and satellite-retrieval of peat moisture is a challenge, but new model developments and the assimilation of passive microwave data help to improve the estimation of groundwater levels and related peat moisture dynamics in peatlands. We will present science cases of SMOS and SMAP radiance data assimilation over boreal and tropical peatlands, and link these to recent advances in the operational SMAP Level 4 product and other applications.