Spatial analysis of terrain-impacted photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) using MODIS data

This paper presents the spatial distribution of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) using an atmospheric radiative transfer model under terrain impacts. The potential of the model for improved understanding of PAR impacts on ecosystem dynamics is demonstrated with the aid of MODIS (Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data, using the Haihe Plain of China as a case study. Various types of MODIS data were aggregated in support of the modeling work at the regional scale. Findings clearly indicate that terrain factors do affect the estimation of instantaneous PAR significantly. Different relationships between PAR and elevation may be classified based on positive correlation, negative correlation, and no correlation. In addition, while there are different relations between PAR and slope, there is no significant correlation between PAR and aspect.