Evaluation of the Consistency of the Vegetation Clumping Index Retrieved from Updated MODIS BRDF Data

The clumping index (CI) quantifies the foliage grouping within distinct canopies relative to randomly distributed canopies, which plays an important role in vegetation radiative regime. Among structure parameters, global CI map can be retrieved by using multiangle remote sensing observations. bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF)/Albedo product (MCD43) of Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is crucial input data product, provides validated spatiotemporal continuous directional data. To determine impacts updating MCD43 on consistency and performance products, CIs from different versions (Collection V005/V006, C5/6) were compared a scale with field-measured results showed that seasonal comparisons C5 C6 are generally consistent. Compared data, have improved quality more main algorithm retrievals fewer case missing over field measurements indicate both agree terms values variations, while (R2 = 0.89, RMSE 0.05, bias 0.02) closer than 0.80, 0.07, 0.03), indicating higher accuracy for monthly recommended characterizing overall patterns surface CIs.