NTSG NASA

Algorithm Description: MOD15A2 :   1KM 8-Day FPAR/LAI Algorithm Description: MOD15A2 is a Fractional Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR) and Leaf Area Index (LAI) algorithm. This Level 4 product will be retrieved at 500m spatial resolution and composited to 1 KM on a 8 day basis. This product is maintained by the Climate and Vegetation Research Group at Boston University. Variables: FPAR: FPAR is the Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation absorbed by vegetation canopies. LAI and FPAR are key variables in most ecosystem productivity models, and in global models of climate, hydrology, biochemistry and ecology which attempt to describe the exchange of fluxes of energy, mass (e.g. water and CO2), and momentum between the surface and the atmosphere. See the Climate and Vegetation Research Group's site at Boston University for more information. LAI: Leaf Area Index (LAI) is defined as the one sided green leaf area per unit ground area in broadleaf canopies, or as the projected needleleaf per unit ground area in needle canopies. LAI and FPAR are key variables in most ecosystem productivity models, and in global models of climate, hydrology, biochemistry and ecology which attempt to describe the exchange of fluxes of energy, mass (e.g. water and CO2), and momentum between the surface and the atmosphere. See the Climate and Vegetation Research Group's site at Boston University for more information.