The 3rd Satellite Soil Moisture Validation and Application Workshop, held in New York City from 21 to 22 September, highlighted the need for increased in situ ground-based soil moisture measurements. The workshop brought together users and developers of satellite soil moisture data to discuss methodology advances in validation and application of such data. They also focused on the derivation and exploration of soil moisture data from both passive and active microwave satellite missions and mangers of ground-based soil measurements networks.
Following the workshop, the WMO Commission for Agricultural Meteorology held a meeting of the Task Team on Soil Measurements on 23 September. The Task Team developed a workplan to further advance ground-based soil moisture networks for validation of satellite soil measurements and applications for agricultural decision-makers. They agreed to formulate a framework for the integration of ground-based soil measurements with satellite information to make a blended soil moisture product. The Task Team will work to ensure that any existing ground-based soil moisture network from WMO Members is linked to WIGOS and the International Soil Moisture Network (ISMN).
