MEETING BACKGROUND

This event is designed to foster dialogue between the research and user communities regarding the retrieval and use of land surface temperature products.

Workshop Objectives

1)     Identify the state of the science of land surface temperature (LST) estimates from remote sensing platforms, models, and in situ approaches;
2)     Specify the requirements for LST products from the different user communities (climate research, weather forecast, applications, operations, other); and ultimately,
3)     Identify the gaps between state of the science and the user community requirements, and discuss solutions to bridge these gaps.

The proposed discussion themes for this workshop include:

Theme 1: Remotely Sensed LST
    a. Atmospheric correction
    b. Spectral emissivity
    c. Cloud detection
    d. Calibration/inter-calibration
    e. Instrument artifacts (angular effects, time drift, etc)
    f. Long term records/systematic processing
    g. Accuracy/precision
    h. Downscaling/data fusion

Theme 2:Model Generated LST
    a. Broadband emissivity
    b. Physical parameterization
    c. Physical meaning of different LST variables for different models
    d. Spatial and temporal resolutions
    e. Accuracy/precision
    f. Assimilation

Theme 3: In situ/Validation/Evaluation
    a. Methods and techniques currently used for validation and evaluation
    b. Primary sources of large scale in situ data
    c. Methods to reconcile variables from RS, models and in situ (if they represent different quantities)
    d. Methods for scaling and dealing with spatial heterogeneity

Theme 4: Community requirements for LST
    a. Climate/weather
    b. Agricultural/crop health monitoring
    c. Modeling (energy balance, etc)
    d. Water management
    e. Other

Members of the Scientific Organizing Committee will assess the state of the science, based on those proposed themes, and a summary will be presented at the beginning of the workshop. 

In order to maximize the time available for the breakout sessions and for discussion, we will have a limited number of presentations from workshop participants. However, we will invite a few oral presentations to support the state of the science review (we will particularly invite presentations that address several of our proposed themes/sub-themes).

We encourage, however, all interested participants to present their work in the poster session. Please submit your abstract by January 31st, 2008 (see link to ABSTRACT SUBMISSION in the main page). These abstracts will potentially help the Scientific Committee to assess the state of the science and select invited oral presentations.

A 15-20 page workshop report will be developed that summarizes the key results and a suggested research agenda.

On-line registration for this workshop will be open until March 7th. Although on-site registration will be available during the workshop, a list of all participants’ names is needed by March 7th in order to issue badges for access to the federal building where the workshop will take place. If you are not a US citizen, it is particularly important that your name is added to that list by March 1st or we will not be able to guarantee you access to the workshop facilities.

Note that Asheville has many attractions to offer, from the Biltmore Estate, to the Grove Park Inn and Blue Ridge Mountains. We encourage you to take the opportunity and explore the area while you visit - Click here. If you need any advice or guidance feel free to contact us!

Thank you for your willingness to support this event.

We look forward to seeing you all in Asheville!