Mapping Fine Spatial Resolution Precipitation from TRMM Precipitation Datasets Using an Ensemble Learning Method and MODIS Optical Products in China

Xiaodan Zhao, Wenlong Jing and Pengyan Zhang
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Xiaodan Zhao: Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Guangzhou 510070, China
Wenlong Jing: Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Guangzhou 510070, China
Pengyan Zhang: College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: Precipitation data are important for the fields of hydrology and meteorology, and are fundamental for ecosystem monitoring and climate change research. Satellite-based precipitation products are already able to provide high temporal resolution precipitation information at a global level. However, the coarse spatial resolution has restricted their use in regional level studies. In this study, monthly fine spatial resolution land precipitation data in China was obtained by downscaling the TRMM 3B43 V7 monthly precipitation products. The downscaling model was constructed based on the ensemble learning method called random forest (RF). In addition to the RF model, the classification and regression tree (CART) model was also used to downscale the precipitation data for the purpose of comparison. The results were validated with in situ measurements. Results showed that the RF model outperformed the CART model. The downscaled precipitation data were strongly correlated with the in situ measurements. The downscaling method was applied to mapping fine spatial resolution precipitation over all of China, and is valuable for developing high spatial resolution precipitation products for studies on hydrology, meteorology, and climate science.

Keywords: precipitation; spatial downscaling; Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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