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Leaf Area Index Data Access and Tools
NASA has leaf area index datasets that help researchers characterize vegetation around Earth. Access a range of data and data tools to make the most of leaf area index data. Foe example, AppEEARS offers a simple and effective way to extract, transform, visualize, and download MODIS and VIIRS vegetation-related data products. AppEEARS allows users to subset data by defining specific point(s) or area(s) of interest, and output data can be downloaded in csv (point), GeoTIFF (area) or NetCDF4 (area) format.
Leaf Area Index Datasets
| Dataset | Version Sort ascending | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODIS/Terra Gap-Filled, Smoothed LAI-FPAR 8-Day L4 Global 1km SIN Grid | 6 | Terra | MODIS | 2001-01-01 to 2017-01-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
500 Meters x 500 Meters | HDF-EOS |
| MERRA-2 tavg1_2d_lnd_Nx: 2d,1-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Surface Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2T1NXLND) at GES DISC | 5.12.4 | MERRA-2 | NOT APPLICABLE | 1980-01-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| MERRA-2 tavgM_2d_lnd_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Surface Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TMNXLND) at GES DISC | 5.12.4 | MERRA-2 | NOT APPLICABLE | 1980-01-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| MERRA-2 tavgU_2d_lnd_Nx: 2d,diurnal,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Surface Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TUNXLND) at GES DISC | 5.12.4 | MERRA-2 | NOT APPLICABLE | 1980-01-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| MODIS-derived Aggregate, Woody and Herbaceous Leaf Area Index for Africa, 2002-2022 | 1 | Terra, Aqua | MODIS | 2002-07-05 to 2022-07-29 |
N: 20.02 S: -40.02 E: 63.8625 W: -21.2839 |
netCDF-4 | |
| Shrubland Species Cover, Biometric, Carbon and Nitrogen Data, Southern Idaho, 2014 | 1 | LABORATORY, FIELD INVESTIGATION, FIELD SURVEYS | CARBON ANALYZERS, VISUAL OBSERVATIONS, CAMERA | 2014-09-16 to 2014-10-17 |
N: 43.2098 S: 42.299 E: -114.689 W: -116.797 |
CSV | |
| Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) L4 Carbon Ancillary FPAR Climatology V001 | 1 | MODELS | NOT APPLICABLE | 2015-01-31 to Present |
N: 86.4 S: -86.4 E: 180 W: -180 |
HDF5 | |
| ECMWF SMST Data | 1 | ECMWF | 2025-08-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.1 Decimal Degrees x 0.1 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-3 | |
| AfriSAR: Canopy Cover and Vertical Profile Metrics Derived from LVIS, Gabon, 2016 | 1 | B-200 | LVIS | 2016-02-20 to 2016-03-08 |
N: 0.701451 S: -2.29171 E: 12.0133 W: 8.7276 |
CSV | |
| Arctic Vegetation Plots in Flux Tower Footprints, North Slope, Alaska, 2014 | 1 | FIELD SURVEYS, FIELD INVESTIGATION | SOIL SAMPLER, VISUAL OBSERVATIONS | 2014-07-18 to 2014-07-31 |
N: 71.325 S: 68.4851 E: -155.747 W: -157.414 |
CSV |
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Featured Leaf Area Index Observation Method: MODIS
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) continually collects reflectance and other data across 36 channels with global coverage every one to two days. The broad spectral range enables MODIS data to be used in studies across numerous disciplines, including vegetative health as well as changes in land cover and land use.
Join us to learn how to discover, subset, access and visualize both MODIS and VIIRS data products using a suite of user-friendly tools developed by NASA's ORNL DAAC.
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) will help ensure continuity of Earth observations after the upcoming retirement of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS).
The MODIS Team at ORNL DAAC was awarded the national Doug D. Nebert Champion of the World award for their work developing the MODIS tool suite.
Observe changes in land surface temperature over the course of 2017, with NASA Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images.
1 MIN READ
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