Berkeley‐RWAWC: A New CYGNSS‐Based Watermask Unveils Unique Observations of Seasonal Dynamics in the Tropics
Abstract The UC Berkeley Random Walk Algorithm WaterMask from CYGNSS (Berkeley‐RWAWC) is a new data product designed to address the challenges of monitoring inundation in regions hindered by dense vegetation and cloud cover as is the case in most of the Tropics. The Cyclone Global Navigation Satelli...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2024-07-01
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| Series: | Water Resources Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR037060 |
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| author | Tianjiao Pu Cynthia Gerlein‐Safdi Ying Xiong Mengze Li Eric A. Kort A. Anthony Bloom |
| author_facet | Tianjiao Pu Cynthia Gerlein‐Safdi Ying Xiong Mengze Li Eric A. Kort A. Anthony Bloom |
| author_sort | Tianjiao Pu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The UC Berkeley Random Walk Algorithm WaterMask from CYGNSS (Berkeley‐RWAWC) is a new data product designed to address the challenges of monitoring inundation in regions hindered by dense vegetation and cloud cover as is the case in most of the Tropics. The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) constellation provides data with a higher temporal repeat frequency compared to single‐satellite systems, offering the potential for generating moderate spatial resolution inundation maps with improved temporal resolution while having the capability to penetrate clouds and vegetation. This paper details the development of a computer vision algorithm for inundation mapping over the entire CYGNSS domain (37.4°N–37.4°S). The sole reliance on CYGNSS data sets our method apart in the field, highlighting CYGNSS's indication of water existence. Berkeley‐RWAWC provides monthly, low‐latency inundation maps starting in August 2018 and across the CYGNSS latitude range, with a spatial resolution of 0.01° × 0.01°. Here we present our workflow and parameterization strategy, alongside a comparative analysis with established surface water data sets (SWAMPS, WAD2M) in four regions: the Amazon Basin, the Pantanal, the Sudd, and the Indo‐Gangetic Plain. The comparisons reveal Berkeley‐RWAWC's enhanced capability to detect seasonal variations, demonstrating its usefulness in studying tropical wetland hydrology. We also discuss potential sources of uncertainty and reasons for variations in inundation retrievals. Berkeley‐RWAWC represents a valuable addition to environmental science, offering new insights into tropical wetland dynamics. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3fb7d31d2f754d9d8883f84b05f81479 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0043-1397 1944-7973 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-07-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water Resources Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-3fb7d31d2f754d9d8883f84b05f814792025-08-20T03:30:56ZengWileyWater Resources Research0043-13971944-79732024-07-01607n/an/a10.1029/2024WR037060Berkeley‐RWAWC: A New CYGNSS‐Based Watermask Unveils Unique Observations of Seasonal Dynamics in the TropicsTianjiao Pu0Cynthia Gerlein‐Safdi1Ying Xiong2Mengze Li3Eric A. Kort4A. Anthony Bloom5Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering UC Berkeley Berkeley CA USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering UC Berkeley Berkeley CA USADepartment of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI USADepartment of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI USADepartment of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI USAJet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA USAAbstract The UC Berkeley Random Walk Algorithm WaterMask from CYGNSS (Berkeley‐RWAWC) is a new data product designed to address the challenges of monitoring inundation in regions hindered by dense vegetation and cloud cover as is the case in most of the Tropics. The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) constellation provides data with a higher temporal repeat frequency compared to single‐satellite systems, offering the potential for generating moderate spatial resolution inundation maps with improved temporal resolution while having the capability to penetrate clouds and vegetation. This paper details the development of a computer vision algorithm for inundation mapping over the entire CYGNSS domain (37.4°N–37.4°S). The sole reliance on CYGNSS data sets our method apart in the field, highlighting CYGNSS's indication of water existence. Berkeley‐RWAWC provides monthly, low‐latency inundation maps starting in August 2018 and across the CYGNSS latitude range, with a spatial resolution of 0.01° × 0.01°. Here we present our workflow and parameterization strategy, alongside a comparative analysis with established surface water data sets (SWAMPS, WAD2M) in four regions: the Amazon Basin, the Pantanal, the Sudd, and the Indo‐Gangetic Plain. The comparisons reveal Berkeley‐RWAWC's enhanced capability to detect seasonal variations, demonstrating its usefulness in studying tropical wetland hydrology. We also discuss potential sources of uncertainty and reasons for variations in inundation retrievals. Berkeley‐RWAWC represents a valuable addition to environmental science, offering new insights into tropical wetland dynamics.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR037060wetlandGNSS‐Rcomputer visionglobalfloodsurface water |
| spellingShingle | Tianjiao Pu Cynthia Gerlein‐Safdi Ying Xiong Mengze Li Eric A. Kort A. Anthony Bloom Berkeley‐RWAWC: A New CYGNSS‐Based Watermask Unveils Unique Observations of Seasonal Dynamics in the Tropics Water Resources Research wetland GNSS‐R computer vision global flood surface water |
| title | Berkeley‐RWAWC: A New CYGNSS‐Based Watermask Unveils Unique Observations of Seasonal Dynamics in the Tropics |
| title_full | Berkeley‐RWAWC: A New CYGNSS‐Based Watermask Unveils Unique Observations of Seasonal Dynamics in the Tropics |
| title_fullStr | Berkeley‐RWAWC: A New CYGNSS‐Based Watermask Unveils Unique Observations of Seasonal Dynamics in the Tropics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Berkeley‐RWAWC: A New CYGNSS‐Based Watermask Unveils Unique Observations of Seasonal Dynamics in the Tropics |
| title_short | Berkeley‐RWAWC: A New CYGNSS‐Based Watermask Unveils Unique Observations of Seasonal Dynamics in the Tropics |
| title_sort | berkeley rwawc a new cygnss based watermask unveils unique observations of seasonal dynamics in the tropics |
| topic | wetland GNSS‐R computer vision global flood surface water |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR037060 |
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