Comparison of methods for estimation of absolute vegetation and soil fractional cover using MODIS normalized BRDF-adjusted reflectance data

► We assess three spectral mixture tools for retrieval of GV, NPV, and soil fraction. ► This is the first validation of relative spectral mixture analysis (RSMA). ► All methods accurately predict changes in GV, NPV, and soil cover. ► No method was best for all cover types. ► Unmixing techniques should be chosen on the basis of the planned application.