Soil Moisture Assessment and Drought Monitoring in Arid Environments from GNSS-Reflectometry: A Comparative Analysis between Africa and China

Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) has emerged as a promising tool for remote sensing applications, e.g., soil moisture and drought monitoring. In this paper, soil moisture assessment and drought monitoring are conducted in arid regions of Africa and China from GNSS-R, aiming to enhance the accuracy and spatial resolution of soil moisture retrievals through the integration GNSS-R data in with other available observations. Here it employs an integrated approach, utilizing GNSS-R, LiDAR, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to assess soil moisture dynamics in regions facing water scarcity challenges. The study explores the potential of GNSS-R in combination with other sensors, such as Scatterometry and Altimetry, for comprehensive monitoring, comparison, and calibration. Comparison between African and Chinese arid region contributes to a nuanced understanding of soil moisture dynamics in diverse geographical settings. Furthermore, the implications of these insights for geohazard surveillance and the judicious management of water resources in arid landscapes are given and discussed. This study presents a focused inquiry that underscores the capabilities of GNSS-R technology and its potential to proactively address environmental challenges. The comparative analysis of two distinct arid regions provides a unique vantage point, contributing to the broader global initiative aimed at meticulous monitoring and adept management of soil moisture and drought occurrences.