Articles | Volume 26, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2221-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2221-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
29 Apr 2022
Research article |
| 29 Apr 2022
| 29 Apr 2022
Soil moisture estimation in South Asia via assimilation of SMAP retrievals
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
Barton A. Forman
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
Sujay V. Kumar
Hydrological Sciences Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
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Catherine Marina Breen, Kehan Yang, Justin Pflug, Sujay Kumar, Nicoleta Cristea, Ibrahim Alabi, and Carrie Vuyovich
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5868, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5868, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
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In this review, we present a summary of ML for snow remote sensing. We find that studies focus on extrapolating to new areas and time periods, with improved prediction after combining sensors and referencing high-fidelity reference data. Gaps remain in generalizing across spatial domains. As the diversity of satellite observations sensitive to snow continues to expand, evaluation of how ML can be used in tandem with snow remote sensing is essential for advancing global snow monitoring.
Arijit Chakraborty, Patrick Willems, Gabriëlle J. M. De Lannoy, David M. Mocko, Sujay V. Kumar, Cenlin He, Landry N. Nkaba, Bart Crezee, Raphael M. Tshimanga, Augusto Getirana, and Michel Bechtold
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5287, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5287, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Geoscientific Model Development (GMD).
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The peatlands of the central Congo Basin hold one of the largest carbon stores on land, maintained by consistently high water levels. Most widely used land surface models cannot simulate these dynamics precisely. This study describes the peatland-specific changes made inside version 5.0 of the Noah-Multiparameterization land surface model and evaluates its performance over the Congo peatlands. The results show clear improvements, opening the future scope for studying peatland-river interaction.
Prakrut Kansara, Benjamin Zaitchik, Augusto Getirana, Liana O. Anderson, Paul Block, Sujay Kumar, Carlos F. Mena, and William K. Pan
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-4230, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-4230, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS).
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The 2023–24 El Niño caused a historic Amazon drought. To predict such extremes, we built Amazon-LDAS to forecast hydrometeorology at 5-km resolution up to 6 months ahead. Root zone soil moisture forecasts showed high skill at 3-month leads, doubling our wildfire detection capability. However, despite high statistical skill, streamflow forecasts misrepresented underlying hydrologic processes. Applying this to the current El Niño, we forecast drought conditions in northern Amazon for October 2026.
Justin Matthew Pflug, Kehan Yang, Nicoleta Cristea, Emma T. Boudreau, Carrie M. Vuyovich, and Sujay V. Kumar
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-4850, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-4850, 2026
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Fine scale snow cover is important for hydrological and ecological applications. We test whether commercial satellite imagery can downscale 3 m snow cover from free, coarse-resolution snow cover observations. While machine learning estimates work best, combining 30 m snow cover estimates from Landsat and Sentinel with information about the terrain can also achieve high accuracies. These results can inform the most data and cost-effective approaches for tracking snow cover in montane regions.
Louise Busschaert, Michel Bechtold, Sara Modanesi, Christian Massari, Dirk Raes, Sujay V. Kumar, and Gabriëlle J. M. De Lannoy
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 30, 2579–2611, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-2579-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-2579-2026, 2026
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Two models, AquaCrop (crop model) and Noah-MP (land surface model), were compared estimating irrigation in Italy's Po Valley. Noah-MP simulated higher water use (434 mm/yr) than AquaCrop (268 mm/yr), mainly due to extra water losses like runoff. Once losses were accounted for, both aligned with basin-scale reports of around 500 to 600 mm/yr. The study highlights how complex irrigation modeling is, and the need for better observational data to validate results.
Gabriëlle J. M. De Lannoy, Louise Busschaert, Michel Bechtold, Niccolò Lanfranco, Shannon de Roos, Zdenko Heyvaert, Martynas Bielinis, Jonas Mortelmans, Samuel A. Scherrer, Maxime Van den Bossche, Sujay Kumar, David M. Mocko, Eric Kemp, Lee Heng, Pasquale Steduto, and Dirk Raes
Geosci. Model Dev., 19, 2551–2575, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-2551-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-2551-2026, 2026
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The AquaCrop model has been incorporated into the NASA Land Information System, to advance regional crop growth simulations at any spatial resolution, with a range of different input sources for meteorology, soil and crop parameters. This system also facilitates the assimilation of satellite data to update the crop and water conditions during model simulations. We present three exploratory applications to highlight pathways for future research on regional-scale crop estimation.
Cenlin He, Tzu-Shun Lin, David M. Mocko, Ronnie Abolafia-Rosenzweig, Jerry W. Wegiel, and Sujay V. Kumar
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 8439–8460, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-8439-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-8439-2025, 2025
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This study integrates the refactored community Noah-MP version 5.0 model with the NASA Land Information System (LIS) version 7.5.2 to streamline the synchronization, development, and maintenance of Noah-MP within LIS and to enhance their interoperability and applicability. The model benchmarking and evaluation results reveal key model strengths and weaknesses in simulating land surface quantities and show implications for future model improvements.
Peyman Abbaszadeh, Fadji Zaouna Maina, Chen Yang, Dan Rosen, Sujay Kumar, Matthew Rodell, and Reed Maxwell
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 5429–5452, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-5429-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-5429-2025, 2025
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To manage Earth's water resources effectively amid climate change, it is crucial to understand both surface and groundwater processes. We developed a new modeling system that combines two advanced tools, ParFlow and LIS (Land Information System)/Noah-MP, to better simulate both land surface and groundwater interactions. By testing this integrated model in the Upper Colorado River Basin, we found it improves predictions of hydrologic processes, especially in complex terrains.
Min Huang, Gregory R. Carmichael, Kevin W. Bowman, Isabelle De Smedt, Andreas Colliander, Michael H. Cosh, Sujay V. Kumar, Alex B. Guenther, Scott J. Janz, Ryan M. Stauffer, Anne M. Thompson, Niko M. Fedkin, Robert J. Swap, John D. Bolten, and Alicia T. Joseph
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1449–1476, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1449-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1449-2025, 2025
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We use model simulations along with multiplatform, multidisciplinary observations and a range of analysis methods to estimate and understand the distributions, temporal changes, and impacts of reactive nitrogen and ozone over the most populous US region that has undergone significant environmental changes. Deposition, biogenic emissions, and extra-regional sources have been playing increasingly important roles in controlling pollutant budgets in this area as local anthropogenic emissions drop.
Louise Busschaert, Michel Bechtold, Sara Modanesi, Christian Massari, Dirk Raes, Sujay V. Kumar, and Gabrielle J. M. De Lannoy
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4974019, https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4974019, 2024
Preprint archived
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This study estimates irrigation in the Po Valley using AquaCrop and Noah-MP models with sprinkler irrigation. Noah-MP shows higher annual rates than AquaCrop due to more water losses. After adjusting, both align with reported irrigation ranges (500–600 mm/yr). Soil moisture estimates from both models match satellite data, though both have limitations in vegetation and evapotranspiration modeling. The study emphasizes the need for observations to improve irrigation estimates.
Justin M. Pflug, Melissa L. Wrzesien, Sujay V. Kumar, Eunsang Cho, Kristi R. Arsenault, Paul R. Houser, and Carrie M. Vuyovich
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 631–648, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-631-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-631-2024, 2024
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Estimates of 250 m of snow water equivalent in the western USA and Canada are improved by assimilating observations representative of a snow-focused satellite mission with a land surface model. Here, by including a gap-filling strategy, snow estimates could be improved in forested regions where remote sensing is challenging. This approach improved estimates of winter maximum snow water volume to within 4 %, on average, with persistent improvements to both spring snow and runoff in many regions.
Eunsang Cho, Yonghwan Kwon, Sujay V. Kumar, and Carrie M. Vuyovich
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 4039–4056, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4039-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4039-2023, 2023
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An airborne gamma-ray remote-sensing technique provides reliable snow water equivalent (SWE) in a forested area where remote-sensing techniques (e.g., passive microwave) typically have large uncertainties. Here, we explore the utility of assimilating the gamma snow data into a land surface model to improve the modeled SWE estimates in the northeastern US. Results provide new insights into utilizing the gamma SWE data for enhanced land surface model simulations in forested environments.
Eunsang Cho, Carrie M. Vuyovich, Sujay V. Kumar, Melissa L. Wrzesien, and Rhae Sung Kim
The Cryosphere, 17, 3915–3931, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3915-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3915-2023, 2023
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As a future snow mission concept, active microwave sensors have the potential to measure snow water equivalent (SWE) in deep snowpack and forested environments. We used a modeling and data assimilation approach (a so-called observing system simulation experiment) to quantify the usefulness of active microwave-based SWE retrievals over western Colorado. We found that active microwave sensors with a mature retrieval algorithm can improve SWE simulations by about 20 % in the mountainous domain.
Eunsang Cho, Carrie M. Vuyovich, Sujay V. Kumar, Melissa L. Wrzesien, Rhae Sung Kim, and Jennifer M. Jacobs
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 5721–5735, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5721-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5721-2022, 2022
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While land surface models are a common approach for estimating macroscale snow water equivalent (SWE), the SWE accuracy is often limited by uncertainties in model physics and forcing inputs. In this study, we found large underestimations of modeled SWE compared to observations. Precipitation forcings and melting physics limitations dominantly contribute to the SWE underestimations. Results provide insights into prioritizing strategies to improve the SWE simulations for hydrologic applications.
Amy McNally, Jossy Jacob, Kristi Arsenault, Kimberly Slinski, Daniel P. Sarmiento, Andrew Hoell, Shahriar Pervez, James Rowland, Mike Budde, Sujay Kumar, Christa Peters-Lidard, and James P. Verdin
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 3115–3135, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3115-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3115-2022, 2022
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The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) global and Central Asia data streams described here generate routine estimates of snow, soil moisture, runoff, and other variables useful for tracking water availability. These data are hosted by NASA and USGS data portals for public use.
Min Huang, James H. Crawford, Gregory R. Carmichael, Kevin W. Bowman, Sujay V. Kumar, and Colm Sweeney
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7461–7487, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7461-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7461-2022, 2022
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This study demonstrates that ozone dry-deposition modeling can be improved by revising the model's dry-deposition parameterizations to better represent the effects of environmental conditions including the soil moisture fields. Applying satellite soil moisture data assimilation is shown to also have added value. Such advancements in coupled modeling and data assimilation can benefit the assessments of ozone impacts on human and vegetation health.
Wanshu Nie, Sujay V. Kumar, Kristi R. Arsenault, Christa D. Peters-Lidard, Iliana E. Mladenova, Karim Bergaoui, Abheera Hazra, Benjamin F. Zaitchik, Sarith P. Mahanama, Rachael McDonnell, David M. Mocko, and Mahdi Navari
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 2365–2386, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2365-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2365-2022, 2022
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The MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region faces significant food and water insecurity and hydrological hazards. Here we investigate the value of assimilating remote sensing data sets into an Earth system model to help build an effective drought monitoring system and support risk mitigation and management by countries in the region. We highlight incorporating satellite-informed vegetation conditions into the model as being one of the key processes for a successful application for the region.
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Short summary
Assimilation of remotely sensed data into a land surface model to improve the spatiotemporal estimation of soil moisture across South Asia exhibits potential. Satellite retrieval assimilation corrects biases that are generated due to an unmodeled hydrologic phenomenon, i.e., irrigation. The improvements in fine-scale, modeled soil moisture estimates by assimilating coarse-scale retrievals indicates the utility of the described methodology for data-scarce regions.
Assimilation of remotely sensed data into a land surface model to improve the spatiotemporal...
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