A Web-Based Subsetting Service for Regional Scale MODIS Land Products

• Published in: IEEE journal of selected topics in applied earth observations and remote sensing 2009-12, Vol.2 (4), p.319-328
• Main Authors: Santhana Vannan, Suresh K., Cook, Robert B., Holladay, Susan K., Olsen, Lisa Mai, Dadi, Upendra, Wilson, Bruce E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Data management; Data mining; data processing; Data visualization; Dynamical systems; Dynamics; Earth; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Format; INFORMATION SYSTEMS; Land; LAND RESOURCES; Land surface temperature; Mathematical models; MODIS; Regional; REGIONAL ANALYSIS; Relational databases; remote sensing; visualization; WEBSITES
• ISSN: 1939-1404; 2151-1535
• DOI: 10.1109/JSTARS.2009.2036585

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor has provided valuable information on various aspects of the Earth System since March 2000. The spectral, spatial, and temporal characteristics of MODIS products have made them an important data source for analyzing key science questions relating to Earth System processes at regional, continental, and global scales. The size of the MODIS product and native HDF-EOS format are not optimal for use in field investigations at individual sites (100 × 100 km or smaller). In order to make MODIS data readily accessible for field investigations, the NASA-funded Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) for Biogeochemical Dynamics at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed an online system that provides MODIS land products in an easy-to-use format and in file sizes more appropriate to field research. This system provides MODIS land products data in a nonproprietary comma delimited ASCII format and in GIS compatible formats (GeoTIFF and ASCII grid). Web-based visualization tools are also available as part of this system and these tools provide a quick snapshot of the data. Quality control tools and a multitude of data delivery options are available to meet the demands of various user communities. This paper describes the important features and design goals for the system, particularly in the context of data archive and distribution for regional scale analysis. The paper also discusses the ways in which data from this system can be used for validation, data intercomparison, and modeling efforts.