Determination of critical nitrogen dilution curve based on leaf area index for winter wheat in the Guanzhong Plain, Northwest China

Excessive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in agricultural systems increases the cost of production and risk of environmental pollution. Therefore, determination of optimum N requirements for plant growth is necessary. Previous studies mostly established critical N dilution curves based on aboveground dry matter (DM) or leaf dry matter (LDM) and stem dry matter (SDM), to diagnose the N nutrition status of the whole plant. As these methods are time consuming, we investigated the more rapidly determined leaf area index (LAI) method to establish the critical nitrogen (Nc) dilution curve, and the curve was used to diagnose plant N status for winter wheat in Guanzhong Plain in Northwest China. Field experiments were conducted using four N fertilization levels (0, 105, 210 and 315 kg ha?1) applied to six wheat cultivars in the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 growing seasons. LAI, DM, plant N concentration (PNC) and grain yield were determined. Data points from four cultivars were used for establishing the Nc curve and data points from the remaining two cultivars were used for validating the curve. The Nc dilution curve was validated for N-limiting and non-N-limiting growth conditions and there was good agreement between estimated and observed values. The N nutrition index (NNI) ranged from 0.41 to 1.25 and the accumulated plant N deficit (Nand) ranged from 60.38 to –17.92 kg ha?1 during the growing season. The relative grain yield was significantly affected by NNI and was adequately described with a parabolic function. The Nc curve based on LAI can be adopted as an alternative and more rapid approach to diagnose plant N status to support N fertilization decisions during the vegetative growth of winter wheat in Guanzhong Plain in Northwest China.

Using leaf area index(LAI) to assess vegetation response to drought in Yunnan province of China

Climatic extremes such as drought have becoming a severe climate-related problem in many regions all over the world that can induce anomalies in vegetation condition. Growth and CO2 uptake by plants are constrained to a large extent by drought.Therefore, it is important to understand the spatial and temporal responses of vegetation to drought across the various land cover types and different regions. Leaf area index(LAI) derived from Global Land Surface Satellite(GLASS) data was used to evaluate the response of vegetation to drought occurrence across Yunnan Province, China(2001-2010). The meteorological drought was assessed based on Standardized Precipitation Index(SPI)values. Pearson's correlation coefficients between LAI and SPI were examined across several timescales within six sub-regions of the Yunnan. Further, the drought-prone area was identified based on LAI anomaly values. Lag and cumulative effects of lack of precipitation on vegetation were evident, with significant correlations found using 3-, 6-, 9-and 12-month timescale. We found 9-month timescale has higher correlations compared to another timescale.Approximately 29.4% of Yunnan's area was classified as drought-prone area, based on the LAI anomaly values. Most of this drought-prone area was distributed in the mountainous region of Yunnan.From the research, it is evident that GLASS LAI can be effectively used as an indicator for assessing drought conditions and it provide valuable information for drought risk defense and preparedness.

Mapping Spatial and Temporal Variations of Leaf Area Index for Winter Wheat in North China

Leaf area index （LAI） is an important parameter in a number of models related to ecosystem functioning, carbon budgets, climate, hydrology, and crop growth simulation. Mapping and monitoring the spatial and temporal variations of LAI are necessary for understanding crop growth and development at regional level. In this study, the relationships between LAI of winter wheat and Landsat TM spectral vegetation indices （SVIs） were analyzed by using the curve estimation procedure in North China Plain. The series of LAI maps retrieved by the best regression model were used to assess the spatial and temporal variations of winter wheat LAI. The results indicated that the general relationships between LAI and SVIs were curvilinear, and that the exponential model gave a better fit than the linear model or other nonlinear models for most SVIs. The best regression model was constructed using an exponential model between surface-reflectance-derived difference vegetation index （DVI） and LAI, with the adjusted R2 （0.82） and the RMSE （0.77）. The TM LAI maps retrieved from DVILAI model showed the significant spatial and temporal variations. The mean TM LAI value （30 m） for winter wheat of the study area increased from 1.29 （March 7, 2004） to 3.43 （April 8, 2004）, with standard deviations of 0.22 and 1.17, respectively. In conclusion, spectral vegetation indices from multi-temporal Landsat TM images can be used to produce fine-resolution LAI maps for winter wheat in North China Plain.

Leaf area index retrieval based on canopy reflectance and vegetation index in eastern China

The aim of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of using Landsat TM data to retrieve leaf area index (LAI). To get a LAI retrieval model based ground reflectance and vegetation index, detailed field data were collected in the study area of eastern China, dominated by bamboo, tea plant and greengage. Plant canopy reflectance of Landsat TM wavelength bands has been inversed using software of 6S. LAI is an important ecological parameter. In this paper, atmospheric corrected Landsat TM imagery was utilized to calculate different vegetation indices (VI), such as simple ratio vegetation index (SR), shortwave infrared modified simple ratio (MSR), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Data of 53 samples of LAI were measured by LAI-2000 (LI-COR) in the study area. LAI was modeled based on different reflectances of bands and different vegetation indices from Landsat TM and LAI samples data. There are certainly correlations between LAI and the reflectance of TM3, TM4, TM5 and TM7. The best model through analyzing the results is LAI = 1.2097*MSR + 0.4741 using the method of regression analysis. The result shows that the correlation coefficient R2 is 0.5157, and average accuracy is 85.75%. However, whether the model of this paper is suitable for application in subtropics needs to be verified in the future.

Optimal waveband identification for estimation of leaf area index of paddy rice

学习的目的是为用数据的叶区域索引(LAI ) 评价在一个整个生长季节上获得了的米饭选择合适的波浪乐队，并且由把他们与米饭华盖系列的特征位置作比较测试选择波浪乐队的效率。在这研究，在 2002 生长季节的农田试验在浙江大学的试验性的农场被进行， Hangzhou，中国。大小亢奋光谱反射(350 ∼2500 nm ) 和相应 LAI 在整个生长季节为一顶稻米饭华盖被做。并且三个方法被采用为稻米饭 LAI 评价识别最佳的波浪乐队：关联基于系数的方法，植被基于索引的方法，和逐步的回归方法。选择的这研究在 350 ∼2 的区域的 15 个波浪乐队 500 nm，它看起来是为稻米饭 LAI 评价的最佳的波浪乐队。选择波浪乐队，最经常发生的波浪乐队在 554， 675， 723，和 1 633 nm 附近被集中。他们被 444 跟随， 524， 576， 594， 804， 849， 974， 1 074， 1 219， 1 510，和 2 194 nm。他们中的大多数有物理意义并且有他们的对应物在光谱知道特征位置，它显示 15 的有希望的潜力为稻米饭 LAI 的检索选择了波浪乐队。

The Suitability of Using Leaf Area Index to Quantify Soil Loss under Vegetation Cover

Soil erosion by water under forest cover is a serious problem in southern China.A comparative study was carried out on the use of leaf area index(LAI) and vegetation fractional coverage(VFC) in quantifying soil loss under vegetation cover.Five types of vegetation with varied LAI and VFC under field conditions were exposed to two rainfall rates(40 mm h-1 and 54 mm h-1) using a portable rainfall simulator.Runoff rate,sediment concentration and soil loss rate were measured at relatively runoff stable state.Significant negative exponential relationship(p < 0.05,R2 = 0.83) and linear relationship(p < 0.05,R2 = 0.84) were obtained between LAI and sediment concentration,while no significant relationship existed between VFC and sediment concentration.The mechanism by which vegetation canopy prevents soil loss was by reducing rainfall kinetic energy and sediment concentration.LAI could better quantify such a role than VFC.However,neither LAI nor VFC could explain runoff rate or soil loss rate.Caution must be taken when using LAI to quantify the role of certain vegetation in soil and water conservation.

New Vegetation Index and Its Application in Estimating Leaf Area Index of Rice

Leaf area index （LAI） is an important characteristic of land surface vegetation system, and is also a key parameter for the models of global water balancing and carbon circulation. By using the reflectance values of Landsat-5 blue, green and red channels simulated from rice reflectance spectrum, the sensitivities of the bands to LAI were analyzed, and the response and capability to estimate LAI of various NDVIs （normalized difference vegetation indices）, which were established by substituting the red band of general NDVI with all possible combinations of red, green and blue bands, were assessed. Finally, the conclusion was tested by rice data at different conditions. The sensitivities of red, green and blue bands to LAI were different under various conditions. When LAI was less than 3, red and blue bands were more sensitive to LAI. Though green band in the circumstances was less sensitive to LAI than red and blue bands, it was sensitive to LAI in a wider range. When the vegetation indices were constituted by all kinds of combinations of red, green and blue bands, the premise for making the sensitivity of these vegetation indices to LAI be meaningful was that the value of one of the combinations was greater than 0.024, i.e. visible reflectance （VIS）〉0.024. Otherwise, the vegetation indices would be saturated, resulting in lower estimation accuracy of LAI. Comparison on the capabilities of the vegetation indices derived from all kinds of combinations of red, green and blue bands to LAI estimation showed that GNDVI （Green NDVI） and GBNDVI （Green-Blue NDVI） had the best relations with LAI. The capabilities of GNDVI and GBNDVI to LAI estimation were tested under different circumstances, and the same result was acquired. It suggested that GNDVI and GBNDVI performed better to predict LAI than the conventional NDVI.

Comparative analysis of GF-1,HJ-1,and Landsat-8 data for estimating the leaf area index of winter wheat

Using simultaneously collected remote sensing data and field measurements, this study firstly assessed the consistency and applicability of China high-resolution earth observation system satellite 1 （GF-1） wide field of view （WFV） camera, environment and disaster monitoring and forecasting satellite （H J-l） charge coupled device （CCD）, and Landsat-8 opera- tional land imager （OLI） data for estimating the leaf area index （LAI） of winter wheat via reflectance and vegetation indices （VIs）. The accuracies of these LAI estimates were then assessed through comparison with an empirical model and the PROSAIL radiative transfer model. The effects of radiation calibration, spectral response functions, and spatial resolution on discrepancies in the LAI estimates between the different sensors were also analyzed. The results yielded the following observations： （1） The correlation between reflectance from different sensors is relative good, with the adjusted coefficients of determination （R2） between 0.375 to 0.818. The differences in reflectance are ranging from 0.002 to 0.054. The correlation between VIs from different sensors is high with the R2 between 0.729 and 0.933. The differences in the VIs are ranging from 0.07 to 0.156. These results show the three sensors＇ images can all be used for cross calibration of the reflectance and VIs. （2） The four VIs from the three sensors are all demonstrated to be highly correlated with LAI （R2 between 0.703 and 0.849）. The linear models associated with the 2-band enhanced vegetation index （EVI2）, which feature the highest R2 （higher than 0.746） and the lowest root mean square errors （RMSE） （less than 0.21）, were selected to estimate the winter wheat LAI. The accuracy of the estimated LAI from Landsat-8 was the highest, with the relative errors （RE） of 2.18% and an RMSE of 0.13, while the H J-1 was the lowest, with the RE of 2.43% and the RMSE of 0.15. （3） The inversion errors in the different sensors＇ LAI estimates using the PROSAIL model are small. The accuracy of the GF-1 is the highest with the RE of 3.44%, and the RMSE of 0.22, whereas that of the H J-1 is the lowest with the RE of 4.95%, and the RMSE of 0.26. （4） The effects of the spectral response function and radiation calibration for the different sensors are small and can be ignored, but the effects of spatial resolution are significant and must be taken into consideration in practical applications.

Performance and Analysis of a Model for Describing Layered Leaf Area Index of Rice

Layered leaf area index （LAIk） is one of the major determinants for rice canopy. The objective of this study is to attain rice LAI k using morphological traits especially leaf traits that affected plant type. A theoretical model based on rice geometrical structure was established to describe LAI k of rice with leaf length （Li）, width （Wi）, angle （Ai）, and space （Si）, and plant pole height （H） at booting and heading stages. In correlation with traditional manual measurement, the model was performed by high R2-values （0.95-0.89, n=24） for four rice hybrids （Liangyoupeijiu, Liangyou E32, Liangyou Y06, and Shanyou 63） with various plant types and four densities （3 750, 2 812, 1 875, and 1 125 plants per 100 m2） of a particular hybrid （Liangyoupeijiu）. The analysis of leaf length, width, angle, and space on LAI k for two hybrids （Liangyoupeijiu and Shanyou 63） showed that leaves length and space exhibited greater effects on the change of rice LAI k . The radiation intensity showed a significantly negative exponential relation to the accumulation of LAI k , which agreed to the coefficient of light extinction （K）. Our results suggest that plant type regulates radiation distribution through changing LAI k . The present model would be helpful to acquire leaf distribution and judge canopy structure of rice field by computer system after a simple and less-invasive measurement of leaf length, width, angle （by photo）, and space at field with non-dilapidation of plants.

Simulation of leaf area index and biomass at landscape scale

The method for simulating the temporal and spatial distribution patterns of leaf area index (LAI) and biomass at landscape scale using remote sensing images and surface data was discussed in this paper. The procedure was: (1) annual maximum normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) over the landscape was calculated from TM images; (2) the relationship model between NDVI and LAI was built and annual maximum LAI over the landscape was simulated; (3) the relationship models between LAI and biomass were built and annual branch, stem, root and maximum leaf biomass over the landscape were simulated; (4) spatial distribution patterns of leaf biomass and LAI in different periods all the year round were obtained. The simulation was based on spatial analysis module GRID in ArcInfo software. The method is also a kind of scaling method from patch scale to landscape scale. A case study of Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve was dissertated. Analysis and primary validation were carried out to the simulated LAI and biomass for the major vegetation types in the Changbai Mountain in 1995.

Estimating the crop leaf area index using hyperspectral remote sensing

The leaf area index（LAI） is an important vegetation parameter,which is used widely in many applications.Remote sensing techniques are known to be effective but inexpensive methods for estimating the LAI of crop canopies.During the last two decades,hyperspectral remote sensing has been employed increasingly for crop LAI estimation,which requires unique technical procedures compared with conventional multispectral data,such as denoising and dimension reduction.Thus,we provide a comprehensive and intensive overview of crop LAI estimation based on hyperspectral remote sensing techniques.First,we compare hyperspectral data and multispectral data by highlighting their potential and limitations in LAI estimation.Second,we categorize the approaches used for crop LAI estimation based on hyperspectral data into three types：approaches based on statistical models,physical models（i.e.,canopy reflectance models）,and hybrid inversions.We summarize and evaluate the theoretical basis and different methods employed by these approaches（e.g.,the characteristic parameters of LAI,regression methods for constructing statistical predictive models,commonly applied physical models,and inversion strategies for physical models）.Thus,numerous models and inversion strategies are organized in a clear conceptual framework.Moreover,we highlight the technical difficulties that may hinder crop LAI estimation,such as the ＂curse of dimensionality＂ and the ill-posed problem.Finally,we discuss the prospects for future research based on the previous studies described in this review.

Assimilation of temporal-spatial leaf area index into the CERES-Wheat model with ensemble Kalman filter and uncertainty assessment for improving winter wheat yield estimation

To accurately estimate winter wheat yields and analyze the uncertainty in crop model data assimilations, winter wheat yield estimates were obtained by assimilating measured or remotely sensed leaf area index （LAI） values. The performances of the calibrated crop environment resource synthesis for wheat （CERES-Wheat） model for two different assimilation scenarios were compared by employing ensemble Kalman filter （EnKF）-based strategies. The uncertainty factors of the crop model data assimilation was analyzed by considering the observation errors, assimilation stages and temporal-spatial scales. Overalll the results indicated a better yield estimate performance when the EnKF-based strategy was used to comprehen- sively consider several factors in the initial conditions and observations. When using this strategy, an adjusted coefficients of determination （R2） of 0.84, a root mean square error （RMSE） of 323 kg ha-1, and a relative errors （RE） of 4.15% were obtained at the field plot scale and an R2 of 0.81, an RMSE of 362 kg ha-1, and an RE of 4.52% were obtained at the pixel scale of 30 mx30 m. With increasing observation errors, the accuracy of the yield estimates obviously decreased, but an acceptable estimate was observed when the observation errors were within 20%. Winter wheat yield estimates could be improved significantly by assimilating observations from the middle to the end of the crop growing seasons. With decreasing assimilation frequency and pixel resolution, the accuracy of the crop yield estimates decreased; however, the computation time decreased. It is important to consider reasonable temporal-spatial scales and assimilation stages to obtain tradeoffs between accuracy and computation time, especially in operational systems used for regional crop yield estimates.

A NEW QUANTITATIVE WAY FOR DETERMINING LEAF AREA INDEXAND NET PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY IN REGIONAL SCALE

An inversion of bidirectional reflection distribution fiJnedon (BRDF) wastested using NK Model and NOAA AVHRR datu. The test involVed sensitiveanalysis, optimum inversion selecting, ground simulated expenment, calibrahngmeasuremed with satellite and computer image processmg. Results of comparisonwith NDVI indicatal that inversion of BRDF will have brigh developing prospect inthe next decade.

Comprehensive Study on the Influence of Evapotranspiration and Albedo on Surface Temperature Related to Changes in the Leaf Area Index

Many studies have investigated the influence of evapotranspiration and albedo and emphasize their separate effects but ignore their interactive influences by changing vegetation status in large amplitudes. This paper focuses on the comprehensive influence of evapotranspiration and albedo on surface temperature by changing the leaf area index （LAD between 30^-90~N. Two LAI datasets with seasonally different amplitudes of vegetation change between 30^-90~N were used in the simulations. Seasonal differences between the results of the simulations are compared, and the major findings are as follows. （1） The interactive effects of evapotranspiration and albedo on surface temperature were different over different regions during three seasons [March-April-May （MAM）, June-July-August （JJA）, and September-October-November （SON）], i.e., they were always the same over the southeastern United States during these three seasons but were opposite over most regions between 30°-90°N during JJA. （2） Either evapotranspiration or albedo tended to be dominant over different areas and during different seasons. For example, evapotranspiration dominated almost all regions between 30^-90~N during JJA, whereas albedo played a dominant role over northwestern Eurasia during MAM and over central Eurasia during SON. （3） The response of evapotranspiration and albedo to an increase in LAI with different ranges showed different paces and signals. With relatively small amplitudes of increased LAI, the rate of the relative increase in evapotranspiration was quick, and positive changes happened in albedo. But both relative changes in evapotranspiration and albedo tended to be gentle, and the ratio of negative changes of albedo increased with relatively large increased amplitudes of LAI.

DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF LEAF AREA INDEX FOR MAJOR CONIFEROUS FOREST TYPES IN CHINA

Leaf area index (LAI) of natural vegetation is recognized as the most important variable for measuring vegetation structure over large areas, and for relating it to energy and mass exchange, which has been successfully estimated from satellite resolution sensors. In this paper, according to the statistical analysis based on a lot of forest plots, the mathematical models of LAI distribution patterns in the hydro thermal spaces for five coniferous forest types in China were established. For the cold temperate larch forests growing in the dry and cold climate, their LAI increases with the increasing of warm index and precipitation in the way of hyperbolic quadratic surface. For the cold temperate spruce fir forests and temperate Pinus tabulaeformis forests, their LAI is negatively related to the annual mean air temperature in the way of the natural exponential curve, in order to adapt to the water oppressed environments. For the subtropical Pinus massoniana forests and Cunninghamia lanceolata forests growing in the warm and moist climate, their LAI is related to the annual mean air temperature in the way of the parabolic quadratic curve.

Artificial neural network models predicting the leaf area index:a case study in pure even-aged Crimean pine forests from Turkey

Background: Leaf Area Index(LAI) is an important parameter used in monitoring and modeling of forest ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate performance of the artificial neural network(ANN) models to predict the LAI by comparing the regression analysis models as the classical method in these pure and even-aged Crimean pine forest stands.Methods: One hundred eight temporary sample plots were collected from Crimean pine forest stands to estimate stand parameters. Each sample plot was imaged with hemispherical photographs to detect the LAI. The partial correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between the stand LAI values and stand parameters, and the multivariate linear regression analysis was used to predict the LAI from stand parameters. Different artificial neural network models comprising different number of neuron and transfer functions were trained and used to predict the LAI of forest stands.Results: The correlation coefficients between LAI and stand parameters(stand number of trees, basal area, the quadratic mean diameter, stand density and stand age) were significant at the level of 0.01. The stand age, number of trees, site index, and basal area were independent parameters in the most successful regression model predicted LAI values using stand parameters(R_(adj)~2=0.5431). As corresponding method to predict the interactions between the stand LAI values and stand parameters, the neural network architecture based on the RBF 4-19-1 with Gaussian activation function in hidden layer and the identity activation function in output layer performed better in predicting LAI(SSE(12.1040), MSE(0.1223), RMSE(0.3497), AIC(0.1040), BIC(-77.7310) and R^2(0.6392)) compared to the other studied techniques.Conclusion: The ANN outperformed the multivariate regression techniques in predicting LAI from stand parameters. The ANN models, developed in this study, may aid in making forest management planning in study forest stands.

Direct measurement of the three-dimensional distribution of leaf area density and light conditions in a mature oak stand by the cube method

Although the distributions of foliage and light play major roles in various forest functions,accurate,nondestructive measurement of these distributions is difficult due to the complexity of the canopy structure.To evaluate the foliage and light distributions directly and nondestructively in a mature oak stand,we used the cube method by dividing the forest canopy into small cubes(50 cm per side)and directly measured leaf area density(LAD,the total one-sided leaf area per unit volume,i.e.,cube)and relative irradiance(RI)within each cube.The distribution of LAD and of RI was highly heterogeneous,even at the same canopy height.This heterogeneity reflected the presence of foliage clusters associated with multiple forking branches.The relationship between cumulative LAD at the canopy surface and average RI followed the Beer-Lambert law.The mean light extinction coefficient(K)was 0.32.However,K was overestimated by more than double(0.80)when calculated based on the classical method using RI at the forest floor.This overestimation was caused by the lower RI due to light absorption by nonleaf plant parts below the canopy.Our findings on the complex foliage and light distributions in canopy layers should help improve the accuracy of RI and K measurements and thus more accurate predictions of environmental responses and forest functions.

Leaf area index estimated by direct, semi-direct, and indirect methods in European beech and sycamore maple stands

Leaf area index(LAI)is one of the most important characteristics of forest stands that affects the fundamentals of tree physiological processes,biomass production,and mechanical stability.The LAI results obtained by the semi-direct and indirect methods(the needle technique and an LAI-2000 PCA)in three European beech(Fagus sylvatica L.)stands and one sycamore maple(Acer pseudoplatanus L.)stand were compared with LAI estimated by litter traps during the 2013 growing season.Seasonal LAI was estimated using an LAI-2000 PCA which showed similar trends among the stands and strongly corresponded to phenological phases of deciduous stands in Europe,with the fastest rate of leaf area increment occurring during the first month following bud break.During the growing season,maximum stand LAI value was on June 19th and reached 4.5–5.1,and 4.0 in the beech and maple stands,respectively.The needle technique significantly underestimated(p<0.05)direct LAI on average by 22.0% and 40.0% in the beech and maple stands,respectively.The LAI-2000 PCA insignificantly underestimated(p>05)LAI on average by 15.1%and 5.8%in the beech and maple stands,respectively.All methods for LAI estimation at the stand level could be applicable in deciduous forest stands(beech,maple)with similar site and stand characteristics.However,calibration by direct method is necessary to obtain the required precision.

A Methodology for Estimating Leaf Area Index by Assimilating Remote Sensing Data into Crop Model Based on Temporal and Spatial Knowledge

In this paper,a methodology for Leaf Area Index(LAI) estimating was proposed by assimilating remote sensed data into crop model based on temporal and spatial knowledge.Firstly,sensitive parameters of crop model were calibrated by Shuffled Complex Evolution method developed at the University of Arizona(SCE-UA) optimization method based on phenological information,which is called temporal knowledge.The calibrated crop model will be used as the forecast operator.Then,the Taylor′s mean value theorem was applied to extracting spatial information from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) multi-scale data,which was used to calibrate the LAI inversion results by A two-layer Canopy Reflectance Model(ACRM) model.The calibrated LAI result was used as the observation operator.Finally,an Ensemble Kalman Filter(EnKF) was used to assimilate MODIS data into crop model.The results showed that the method could significantly improve the estimation accuracy of LAI and the simulated curves of LAI more conform to the crop growth situation closely comparing with MODIS LAI products.The root mean square error(RMSE) of LAI calculated by assimilation is 0.9185 which is reduced by 58.7% compared with that by simulation(0.3795),and before and after assimilation the mean error is reduced by 92.6% which is from 0.3563 to 0.0265.All these experiments indicated that the methodology proposed in this paper is reasonable and accurate for estimating crop LAI.

Improved Land Use and Leaf Area Index Enhances WRF-3DVAR Satellite Radiance Assimilation： A Case Study Focusing on Rainfall Simulation in the Shule River Basin during July 2013

The application of satellite radiance assimilation can improve the simulation of precipitation by numerical weather prediction models. However, substantial quantities of satellite data, especially those derived from low-level（surface-sensitive）channels, are rejected for use because of the difficulty in realistically modeling land surface emissivity and energy budgets.Here, we used an improved land use and leaf area index（LAI） dataset in the WRF-3 DVAR assimilation system to explore the benefit of using improved quality of land surface information to improve rainfall simulation for the Shule River Basin in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau as a case study. The results for July 2013 show that, for low-level channels（e.g., channel 3）,the underestimation of brightness temperature in the original simulation was largely removed by more realistic land surface information. In addition, more satellite data could be utilized in the assimilation because the realistic land use and LAI data allowed more satellite radiance data to pass the deviation test and get used by the assimilation, which resulted in improved initial driving fields and better simulation in terms of temperature, relative humidity, vertical convection, and cumulative precipitation.