JAXA super sites 500: Large-scale ecological monitoring sites for satellite validation in Japan

The global leaf area index (LAI) and above-ground biomass (AGB) are essential parameters in ecology and hydrology. Therefore, dataseis derived from satellite remote sensing are needed. To assess data accuracy, in-situ datasets of LAI and AGB measured at a large scale (that of satellite footprints) are desired. However, such data are rarely available. Therefore, we initiated the project "JAXA Super Sites 500" to obtain in-situ LAI and AGB data at the 500 m × 500 m scale. We established four observation sites in Japan and carried out pilot studies at two sites in 2014. This study aimed to examine an observation method at this scale and to evaluate the data quality. At the Fujihokuroku site, the mean LAI was 1.89 (LAI-2000), 2.85 (fish-eye camera), and 2.14 (tree census within a partial area). The mean AGB was 117 t/ha (Bitterlich´s method) and 126 t/ha (tree census within a partial area).