GOES-8 LBA Reflectances for High Resolution PAR Determination

Photosynthesis and respiration by vegetation and soil play a vital role in the carbon cycle over the rain forest in the Amazonia region. Among various key factors in determining these physiological processes by models are photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and the canopy and soil temperatures (Tc , Ts). For example, it has been suggested that the CO2 uptake rates over the Amazon forest may be highly sensitive to radiation and temperature. This process has been studied under this project with the following goals. Photosynthesis and respiration by vegetation and soil play a vital role in the carbon cycle over the rain forest in the Amazonia region. The input GOES data that has been used for these invesitigations is being made available publicly through the Earth Science Information Partnership program. It is available through the EOS-Webster website at the University of New Hampshire.