Assessing the potential of <i>SWVI</i> (Soil Wetness Variation Index) for hydrological risk monitoring by means of satellite microwave observations

• Main Authors: T. Lacava, M. Greco, E. V. Di Leo, G. Martino, N. Pergola, F. Romano, F. Sannazzaro, V. Tramutoli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2005-01-01
• Series: Advances in Geosciences
• Online Access: http://www.adv-geosci.net/2/221/2005/adgeo-2-221-2005.pdf

In the last years satellite remote sensing applications in hydrology have considerably progressed. A new multi-temporal satellite data-analysis approach has been recently suggested in order to estimate space-time changes of geophysical parameters possibly related to the increase of environmental and hydro-geological hazards. Such an approach has been already used both for flooded area mapping (using AVHRR data) and for soil wetness index estimation (using AMSU data). <P style=&quot;line-height: 20px;&quot;> In this work, a preliminary sensitivity analysis of the proposed Soil Wetness Variation Index (<I>SWVI</I>) is made in the case of low intensity meteorological events by the comparison with hydrological (precipitation) data. This analysis, as a first step of a more complex work in progress, is targeted to a first evaluation of the reliability of the <I>SWVI</I> in describing soil response to precipitations of different duration and intensity.