Speaker: Prof. Mehmet Kurum, The University of Georgia, USA Thursday, December 21, 2023 (https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=Unveiling+the+Potential+of+GNSS+Transmissometry+%28GNSS-T%29+for+Remote+Sensing+of+Forest+Canopy+Water+C&iso=20231221T11&p1=43&ah=1) The GNSS-T method uses stationary or mobile GNSS receivers under the forest canopy, accompanied by an additional unit in the open area as reference. This webinar will provide the theoretical and experimental foundations to explain how the GNSS-T method provides information about the characteristics of Vegetation Optical Depth (VOD ) and Vegetation Water Content (VWC) measurements which could transform forest VWC monitoring studies. Co-sponsored by: CH05226 - Denver/High Plains Section Jt. Chapter, GRS Speaker(s): Prof. Mehmet Kurum, Agenda: There is significant evidence that vegetation water content, known as VWC, can serve as a useful measure of water status as it is directly linked to the moisture content of living fuel. Improved temporal and spatial quantification of VWC variations is expected to aid in the improved evaluation of how forests respond to drought, including tree mortality and wildfire risk. Direct measurement of VWC dynamics remotely can also be crucial for understanding and modeling hydrological and ecological processes. Presently, only coarse spatial resolution (25 – 50 km) vegetation optical depth (VOD) is globally observed by satellites. These observations are mainly derived from opportunistic analyses of measurements that were initially intended for other scientific purposes. In addition, validating spaceborne VOD poses a significant challenge due to lack of systematic ground-based VOD observations at the moment. Recently a new methodology called the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Transmissometry (GNSS-T) technique has gained attention to monitoring VWC directly. The method uses stationary or mobile GNSS receivers under the forest canopy, accompanied by an additional unit in the open area as reference. The logarithmic difference between the two measurements yields information on forest transmissivity (water content). This relatively new remote sensing (non-intrusive) approach could transform forest VWC monitoring studies. Its optimal interpretation, use, and relation to VWC have yet to be comprehensively explored. Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/391721