A soil moisture retrieval model using a parameterized first-order model

Surface soil moisture is a key parameter in material exchange and energy cycle at the land surface and atmosphere interface. In this study, a soil moisture retrieval algorithm was developed based on a parameterized first-order radiative transfer (RT) model. This method was validated in ground surface covered by vegetation in Tibet. The results showed that the RMSE of the retrieved soil moisture reached about 4% by using the parameterized first-order RT model. The retrieval results were also compared to zero-order RT model and noted that both zero-order and first-order RT model varied similarily but the first-order retrieval algorithm seemed to be more accurate than zero-order model. Future work will investigate possible improments to the algorithm extend testing of the algorithm to other regions.