Potter, C, Klooster, S, Huete, A, Genovese, V (2007). Terrestrial carbon sinks for the United States predicted from MODIS satellite data and ecosystem modeling. EARTH INTERACTIONS, 11, 13.

Abstract
A simulation model based on satellite observations of monthly vegetation cover from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ( MODIS) was used to estimate monthly carbon fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems of the conterminous United States over the period 2001-04. Predicted net ecosystem production (NEP) flux for atmospheric CO2 in the United States was estimated as annual net sink of about +0.2 Pg C in 2004. Regional climate patterns were reflected in the predicted annual NEP flux from the model, which showed extensive carbon sinks in ecosystems of the southern and eastern regions in 2003-04, and major carbon source fluxes from ecosystems in the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Northwest regions in 2003-04. As demonstrated through tower site comparisons, net primary production (NPP) modeled with monthly MODIS enhanced vegetation index (EVI) inputs closely resembles both the measured high- and low-season carbon fluxes. Modeling results suggest that the capacity of the NASA Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach (CASA) model to use 8-km resolution MODIS EVI data to predict peak growing season uptake rates of CO2 in irrigated croplands and moist temperate forests is strong.

DOI:
10.1175/EI228.1

ISSN:
1087-3562