Sheng et al. (2026) Hyperspectral BRDF based on UAV measurements can characterize optical properties of flat desert surfaces: A comprehensive comparison with laboratory and satellite data

Identification

• Journal: Remote Sensing of Environment
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-05
• Authors: Yuechao Sheng, Xiuqing HU, Xingwei He, Lin Chen, Zhongqiu Sun Zhongqiu Sun, Shan Lu
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2025.115228

Research Groups

• Key Laboratory of Geographical Processes and Ecological Security in Changbai Mountains, Ministry of Education, School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
• Key Laboratory of Radiometric Calibration and Validation for Environmental Satellites, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100081, China
• National Satellite Meteorological Center, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100081, China

Short Summary

This study demonstrates the robustness of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based hyperspectral Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) measurements for characterizing the optical properties of desert surfaces, overcoming limitations of traditional ground and satellite methods. The UAV data show strong agreement with laboratory spectra and satellite BRDF observations, proving superior in BRDF model simulations.

Objective

• To overcome the limitations of ground and satellite-based instruments in obtaining both hyperspectral and angular reflectance of desert surfaces at appropriate scales by employing UAV-based hyperspectral BRDF measurements.
• To comprehensively compare UAV-measured hyperspectral BRDF with laboratory and satellite observations to validate its reliability in characterizing desert surface optical properties.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Local to regional scale, covering six desert areas in Northwest China.
• Temporal Scale: Not specified in the provided text.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: BRDF models (for spectral BRDF simulation), Bayesian inversion (for uncertainty analysis).
• Data sources: UAV equipped with a spectrometer, laboratory measurements, satellite observations (MODIS for selected wavelengths).

Main Results

• UAV-measured hyperspectral reflectance exhibits a spectral shape similar to spectra obtained from laboratory settings.
• UAV-measured angular reflectance shows a good match in BRDF characterization compared to satellite observations in the hemispherical space.
• BRDF models utilizing UAV-measured hyperspectral BRDF demonstrate superior performance in spectral BRDF simulation.
• Uncertainty analysis based on Bayesian inversion confirmed the reliability of the UAV data for effectively characterizing the optical properties of desert surfaces.

Contributions

• Provides a robust and reliable method using UAV-based spectral and angular measurements to quantify hyperspectral BRDF, overcoming scale limitations of existing ground and satellite instruments.
• Offers comprehensive in-situ optical properties of desert surfaces, which can serve as valuable validation data for future studies on the radiative balance of desert surfaces.

Funding

Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Sheng2026Hyperspectral,
  author = {Sheng, Yuechao and HU, Xiuqing and He, Xingwei and Chen, Lin and Sun, Zhongqiu Sun Zhongqiu and Lu, Shan},
  title = {Hyperspectral BRDF based on UAV measurements can characterize optical properties of flat desert surfaces: A comprehensive comparison with laboratory and satellite data},
  journal = {Remote Sensing of Environment},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.rse.2025.115228},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2025.115228}
}