Integrating Satellite-Derived Vegetation Variables into the ISBA Model: A Sequential Data Assimilation Approach

A global land data assimilation system (LDAS-Monde) was developed by CNRM. It uses a version of the interactions between soil, biosphere, and atmosphere (ISBA) land surface model able to simulate photosynthesis and plant growth. Vegetation variables such as leaf area index (LAI) and surface soil moisture can be jointly assimilated in the model. Sequential assimilation of LAI is possible thanks to the fully photosynthesis-driven phenology. The simulated LAI is flexible and can be analyzed at a given date. Also, the assimilation of LAI alone can be used to analyze the root-zone soil moisture. The assimilation of level 1 microwave observations is being investigated. Recent results and potential applications of LDAS-Monde are presented.