SALBEC – A Python Library and GUI Application to Calculate the Diurnal Variation of the Soil Albedo

Jarosław Jasiewicz,Jerzy Cierniewski

doi:10.2478/quageo-2021-0026

Jarosław Jasiewicz, Jerzy Cierniewski

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2478/quageo-2021-0026

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Abstract

AbstractThis study presents the SALBEC – Soil ALBEdo Calculator – a Python library and Graphical User Interface designed to predict the diurnal variation of the clear-sky albedo based on the soil surface properties. Such predictions are becoming more and more necessary with the increasing role of remote measurements. The software uses the following input parameters: the soil spectrum, soil roughness, day of the year (DOY) and sample location. It returns the diurnal albedo variation and, as a unique feature, optimal observation time in the form of tables and graphs as outputs. Models created with the SALBEC were compared with the data acquired under near clear-sky conditions. The comparison shows that the differences between the models and measured data do not exceed the variation of input parameters. The software is directed towards scientists and professionals who require precise estimations of the albedo of soils for different field observation times. Our software is issued as free and open source software (FOSS) and is publicly available athttps://github.com/jarekj71/salbec.

Highlights

The albedo of an object is the fraction of incident solar radiation reflected from it in the range of 0.3–3 nm, and is a measure integrating the surface reflectance over all view directions (Peddle et al 2001, Schaepman-Strub et al 2006)
This study presents the SALBEC – Soil ALBEdo Calculator – a Python library and Graphical User Interface designed to predict the diurnal variation of the clear-sky albedo based on the soil surface properties
The rest of this paper is organised as follows: after describing the theoretical basis for calculating the a using the soil spectra and roughness parameters, we present the Soil ALBEdo Calculator (SALBEC) software design

Summary

Introduction

The albedo of an object is the fraction of incident solar radiation reflected from it in the range of 0.3–3 nm, and is a measure integrating the surface reflectance over all view directions (Peddle et al 2001, Schaepman-Strub et al 2006). There has been an increase in the spatial and temporal resolutions of albedo observations obtained from satellite, airborne and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) measurements (van Leeuwen, Roujean 2002, Govaerts, Lattanzio 2007, Ortega-Farías et al 2016, Cao et al 2018, Canisius et al 2019, He et al 2019, Zhou et al 2019, Wind et al 2020). All reported experiments require the direct observation of the albedo from ground sensors during acquisition. These observations provide information on the diurnal variation of JAROSŁAW JASIEWICZ, JERZY CIERNIEWSKI the albedo but cannot be applied to plan the optimal acquisition time

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