Assessment of NASA SMAP Soil Moisture Products for Agricultural Regions in Central Mexico: An Analysis Based on the THEXMEX Dataset

Abstract

Accurate knowledge of soil moisture (SM) is crucial in hydrological, micrometeorological, and agricultural applications; however, the SM estimation is particularly challenging in agricultural regions due to high spatial variability and dynamic vegetation conditions. The need of information about SM conditions is even more evident for developing countries with limited monitoring infrastructure. Satellite SM products are a useful tool as proxy of SM conditions on the ground, but they need to be evaluated for specific regions. In this study, we assess the quality of the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) SM retrievals at 36,