Application of Remote Sensing Technology for Estimation of Soil Moisture

Surface soil moisture is one of the integral parts in hydrological cycle, which affects the conversation of water and energy fluxes at the land–atmosphere boundary. Precise estimation of soil moisture along with assessing the spatial and temporal variations is crucial for several ecological studies. Modern scientific developments in a spaceborne remote sensing platform have revealed that soil moisture can be estimated by multiple remote sensing platforms such as ground-based, unmanned-aerial-vehicle-based, and space-based, from higher altitude. This study presents a comprehensive understanding of theoretical principles of different methods available for measuring soil moisture using optical, infrared/thermal infrared, and micro-wave remote sensing. Additionally, different satellite missions such as Soil Moisture Active Passive, Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity, and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer, which incorporate both land-based and meteorological data, are discussed along with their different application prospects.