Coupled and continuous estimation of soil moisture and evaporative fraction within the remotely sensed surface temperature-vegetation index framework

• An in-situ observation-driven optimization scheme is proposed to calibrate TVX model. One calibration site can produce good accuracy of continuous SM and EF estimates. This has achieved coupled estimation within the framework. The characterized by its simplicity in operation stability accuracy. Numerous studies have focused on retrieval soil moisture (SM) evaporative fraction (EF) based surface temperature-vegetation index (TVX) However, few literatures investigated whether these two variables be retrieved simultaneously under same Besides, most previous only demonstrated application framework clear sky conditions. partially cloudy conditions still a challenging task. main motivation for this study develop an combined with method EF. Specifically, was designed construct constraints objective functions at seasonal scale. In-situ measurements were utilized theoretical boundaries framework, respectively. applicability new over Southern Great Plains (SGP) United States America year 2005 using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) products. comparisons between present traditional models indicate that produced one reached comparable level whole domain. holds unique advantages continuity. It not circumvented complex parameterization but also validation results estimates show absolute value correlation coefficient ( r ) 0.51 0.43, root mean square error RMSE 0.70 0.163. In contrast, 0.66 0.158. addition, means interconverted into each other Thus either or used dry edge applies both variables.