@article{PAR00010725,
  title = {{SMOS} level 2 retrieval algorithm over forests : description and generation of global maps},
  author = {{R}ahmoune, {R}. and {F}errazzoli, {P}. and {K}err, {Y}ann and {R}ichaume, {P}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}his paper shows global maps of optical depth and soil moisture over land, obtained using the last prototype of {SMOS} {L}evel 2 retrieval algorithm, which will be implemented in {V}600 version of {L}evel 2 product made available by {E}uropean {S}pace {A}gency ({ESA}). {T}he focus is on forested areas, where the approach adopted to develop the algorithm can be subdivided into different steps. {F}irst a theoretical model, which was previously developed and tested using ground based and airborne measurements, generated parametric outputs. {B}y fitting this output data set, the albedo and the optical depth of a simple first order radiative transfer model were estimated. {T}hen, this simplified forest model was included in the general {ESA} {L}evel 2 retrieval algorithm over land, described in the {A}lgorithm {T}heroretical {B}aseline {D}ocument ({ATBD}). {T}he paper describes the details of this procedure and shows some retrieval results. {F}irst, the prototype algorithm was run with three free parameters: {S}oil moisture, optical depth, and albedo. {T}he retrieved albedo resulted to be close to the initial estimate (0.08) for {B}oreal forests, while it was lower for {T}ropical forests. {R}unning again the algorithm with the albedo fixed, a global map of optical depth was generated. {T}he spatial features of the map follow the global information about forest biomass and forest height available in the literature. {F}inally it was found that, on average, the influence of seasonal effects on optical depth is moderate.},
  keywords = {{F}orests ; microwave radiometry ; optical depth},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{I}eee {J}ournal of {S}elected {T}opics in {A}pplied {E}arth {O}bservations and {R}emote {S}ensing},
  volume = {6},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {1430--1439},
  ISSN = {1939-1404},
  year = {2013},
  DOI = {10.1109/jstars.2013.2256339},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/{PAR}00010725},
}