Analysis of Vegetation Optical Depth and Soil Moisture Retrieved by SMOS Over Tropical Forests

In this letter, the results obtained with the last version (level 2, version 650) of SMOS retrieval algorithm are compared against independent measurements, over tropical forests. In particular, the climate research unit meteorological variables and data bases of forest height and forest biomass are considered. Comparisons with results obtained by AMSR-2 under similar conditions are also illustrated. Vegetation optical depth shows a generally good correlation with forest height and forest biomass, particularly in Africa and South America. Spatial and temporal trends of retrieved soil moisture follow trends of rainfall, particularly in regions of dry winter.