1. Rationale for a Global Geostationary Fire Product by the Global Change Research Community Ivan Csiszar - UMd Chris Justice - UMd Louis Giglio –UMd, NASA, SSAI

2. Questions What is the added value of geostationary fire products (over those from polar orbiters) for global change research? (rationale) What are the requirements for global fire products by the global change research community? (requirements)

3. Suite of satellite-derived fire products Fire risk/fire danger assessment Active fire mapping –detection –characterization Burned area mapping –characterization? Post-fire impacts assessment

4. Geostationary fire products and global change research Fire activity as an indicator of global climate change (“effect”) –analysis of the spatial-temporal patters of fire activity and their changes over time at various time scales Fire occurrence in long-term impact studies (”cause”) –hydrological processes burned area mapping and assessment of the destruction vegetation canopy pyrogenic cloud formation and seeding –ecosystems better fire regime characterization: time of the day, persistence, sub-pixel properties –atmospheric chemistry emissions modeling –detection and characterization of emission sources »Active fire detection, Fire Radiative Power/Energy retrievals –a-posteriori burned area mapping coupling with transport monitoring and modeling –wind direction/speed, smoke

5. Geostationary systems Added values –high temporal frequency of observations: capability to monitor the diurnal cycle of fire activity – how critical is this information? –higher chance to obtain cloud-free observations –improved potential for the use of hotspots for aggregation, “seeding” or confirmation of burn scars combined use of active fire and burned scar mapping –burn scars not only from geostationary platforms –capability for sub-pixel fire characterization and temporal integration –validation: easier to obtain coincident reference data (in-situ or high resolution aircraft and satellite)

6. Wet season, 16-day composite (Jan 17-Feb 1, 2002) Dry season, swath image (Oct 24, 2003) Amazon, Terra/MODIS 250 m

7. Diurnal cycle from polar orbiters: MODIS Terra and Aqua Central Africa Terra Aqua What is the optimum time to sample daily maximum? It varies in space and time.

8. Different local times Different seasons Viewing angles Topography effects (fixed over time) Sun angle, glint (changes over time) Geostationary imagery: geometrical considerations

9. Geostationary systems Limitations –lower spatial resolution in general –angular effects potential spatial biases fixed viewing angles – this can be taken advantage of for long- term analysis –potential temporal bias due to changing background conditions within the day algorithm performance may vary – need for validation at all local times Global change researchers do not necessarily understand or care about remote sensing issues Proper processing strategy is needed for climate research – different from operational, near-real- time applications

10. Sensing system requirements for global change research Spatial characteristics –coverage gap in Central Asia poorer coverage and topography effects at high latitudes –homogeneity potential dependence of product quality/detection capability on view angle –need for algorithm corrections/adjustments potential inter-satellite discontinuities due to differences in sensing system specifications –need for algorithm/product inter-calibration –overlap areas with the same view angle are optimal –use polar orbiters for reference –Resolution needs are application-dependent – pixel level or aggregated gridded products

11. GOES-EGOES-WMSG MTSAT Map by E. Prins, NOAA Gap in Central Asia Little overlap over land Angular effects

12. Sensing system requirements for global change research Temporal characteristics –homogeneity potential effects from algorithm changes potential effects from sensor changes –continuity long-term time series systems need to be operated by agencies with mandate for long-term operational climate record production – most often operational agencies operational R&D continuous product validation based on agreed-upon protocols –frequency needs are application-dependent – instantaneous, daily or weekly, monthly etc. summary gridded products

13. Product validation for global change research For global change research applications it is essential to –know theoretical and empirical absolute detection limits and their variability and uncertainty –relate detection capabilities to the statistical population of regional fire events to establish detection and false alarm rates Goal: “Stage 3” validation and “Validated” products –“Product accuracy has been assessed and the uncertainties in the product well established via independent measurements in a systematic and statistically robust way representing global conditions”

14. Data system requirements Easy (preferably free) access to data products –several distribution options exist Timeliness is less an issue Easy access to validation datasets –strong collaboration with local/regional partners, often within operational/management agencies Metadata and auxiliary data Manageable data volumes –but: archive at high frequency to avoid spatial biases from diurnal cycle effects Reprocessing capabilities Fire Climate Data Record –Which agency (-ies) will manage it? –What fire products from what sensors will be included?

15. NOAA Satellite Services Division Hazard Mapping System http://www.firedetect.noaa.gov/viewer.htm Primarily an operational, real- time system – climate applications? Example: integrated multi-sensor fire data system

16. Fire Locating and Modeling of Burning Emissions (FLAMBE) aerosol.spawar.navy.mil/flambe/ Primarily an operational, real-time system – climate applications? Example: fire data as input to emission/transport modeling

17. Conclusions Geostationary systems offer additional information for the monitoring of diurnal, annual, inter-annual and long-term changes in fire activity – particularly at low latitudes Issues exist to integrate products from individual satellites into a global system Data production for global change research requires specific considerations Stage 3 product validation is essential No stand-alone geostationary system, but integral part of a multi-sensor system