Roughness and vegetation parameterizations at L-band for soil moisture retrievals over a vineyard field

Using the 2-P configuration, it was found that setting NRp (p = H or V) equals to − 1 provided the best SM estimations in terms of correlation and unbiased Root Mean Square Error (ubRMSE). The assumption NRV = NRH = − 1 simplifies the L-MEB retrieval, since the two parameters τNAD and HR can then be grouped and retrieved as a single parameter (method here defined as the Simplified Retrieval Method (SRP)). The main advantage of the SRP method is that it is not necessary to calibrate HR before performing the SM retrievals. Using the 3-P configuration, the results improved, with respect to SM retrievals, in terms of correlation and ubRMSE, as the structural characteristics of the vineyards were better accounted for. However, this method still requires the calibration of HR, a disadvantage for operational applications. Finally, it was found that the use of in-situ roughness measurements to calibrate the roughness model parameters did not provide significant improvements in the SM retrievals as compared to the SRP method.