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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of AVHRR Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR), Version 5

Leaf Area Index and FAPAR

browse graphicGlobal image of the annual maximum AVHRR LAI for 1982.
This dataset contains gridded daily Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR) derived from the NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Surface Reflectance. The data record spans from 1981 to 10 days before the present using data from eight NOAA polar orbiting satellites: NOAA-7, -9, -11, -14, -16, -17, -18 and -19. The data are projected on a 0.05 degree x 0.05 degree global grid. This dataset is one of the Land Surface CDR Version 5 products produced by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the University of Maryland (UMD). Improvements for Version 5 include using the improved surface reflectance data, correcting the data for known errors in time, latitude, and longitude variables, as well as improvements in the global and variable attribute definitions. The dataset is in the netCDF-4 file format following ACDD and CF Conventions. The dataset is accompanied by algorithm documentation, data flow diagram and source code for the NOAA CDR Program.
  • Cite as: Vermote, Eric; NOAA CDR Program. (2019): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of AVHRR Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR), Version 5. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5TT4P69. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01559
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Distribution Formats
  • NetCDF (Version: 4)
    • File Specification: The NetCDF data files comply with the Climate and Forecast (CF) Metadata Conventions and the NetCDF Attribute Convention for Dataset Discovery (ACDD).
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA Climate Data Record Program Office
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
1-828-271-4800
land_sfc_bundle_contacts@noaa.gov
Time Period 1981-06-24 to Present (time interval: 1-day)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
  • AVHRR Leaf Area Index and FAPAR Source Code
    • CDR Source Code (download)
      This source code is for reference only. The source code is provided to maintain transparency of the algorithm and processes used in creating the Climate Data Record (CDR). The source code is not intended to be portable to any computer system(s) beyond that of the original CDR producer's environment.
  • Leaf Area Index and FAPAR Flow Diagram
  • Climate Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (C-ATBD)
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2019-07-11
Edition Version 5
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Daily
Purpose This dataset provides scientific researchers a high quality Climate Data Record (CDR) of Leaf Area Index (LAI) and the Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR) for detecting drought-stressed regions, forecasting agricultural yields, and forestry and crop management. LAI and FAPAR, two biophysical variables, characterize the canopy and photosynthetic activity of plants. The one-sided green leaf area per unit ground surface area describes the LAI data set. The fraction of the incoming solar radiation in the Photosynthetically Active Radiation spectral region that is absorbed by the plants defines the FAPAR data set. The LAI/FAPAR CDR produces a daily product on a 0.05 degree by 0.05 degree grid from 1981 to present derived from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensors.
Use Limitations
  • See the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD) for a description of this dataset's use limitations.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Vermote, Eric; NOAA CDR Program. (2019): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of AVHRR Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR), Version 5. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5TT4P69. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Principal Investigators
Collaborators
  • NOAA CDR Program
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation > Photosynthetically Active Radiation > Fraction Of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (fapar)
  • Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation > Vegetation Index > Leaf Area Index (lai)
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • NASA/GSFC > Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA
  • UMD > University of Maryland
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • NOAA-7 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-7
  • NOAA-9 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-9
  • NOAA-11 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-11
  • NOAA-14 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-14
  • NOAA-16 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-16
  • NOAA-17 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-17
  • NOAA-18 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-18
  • NOAA-19 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-19
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • AVHRR > Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global Land
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) Program
  • NOAA OneStop Project
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Vermote, Eric; NOAA CDR Program. (2019): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of AVHRR Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR), Version 5. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5TT4P69. Accessed [date].
  • See the Use Agreement for this dataset available on the CDR page.
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement This dataset was produced by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the University of Maryland (UMD), and is archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Processor
  • NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  • University of Maryland
Processing Steps
  • For a description of the processing steps, see the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document and the Data Flow Diagram for this dataset.
Processing Documents
    • AVHRR Leaf Area Index and FAPAR Source Code
      • CDR Source Code (download)
        This source code is for reference only. The source code is provided to maintain transparency of the algorithm and processes used in creating the Climate Data Record (CDR). The source code is not intended to be portable to any computer system(s) beyond that of the original CDR producer's environment.
    • Climate Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (C-ATBD)
Source Datasets
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-08-10
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov