The dataset of ground truth measurements synchronizing with Envisat ASAR was obtained in No. 1 and 2 quadrates of the E'bao foci experimental area on Oct. 17, 2007 during the pre-observation period The data were in AP mode and VV/VH polarization combinations, and the overpass time was approximately at 23:04 BJT. Both the quadrates were divided into 3×3 subsites, with each one spanning a 30×30 m2 plot. 25 sampling points were chosen, including centers and corners. Simultaneous with the satellite overpass, numerous ground data were collected, soil volumetric moisture, soil conductivity, the soil temperature, and the real part of soil complex permittivity by the WET soil moisture tachometer; the surface radiative temperature by the hand-held infrared thermometer; soil gravimetric moisture, volumetric moisture, and soil bulk density by drying soil samples from the cutting ring. Meanwhile, vegetation parameters as height, coverage and water content were also observed. Meanwhile, vegetation parameters as height, coverage and water content were also observed. Those provide reliable ground data for retrieval and verification of soil moisture, soil freeze/thaw status and the microwave radiative transfer model from active remote sensing approaches.

The dataset of evapotranspiration observed by micro-lysimeter was obtained in the reed plot A, the alfalfa plot D and the barley plot E of the Linze grassland foci experimental area from May 28 to Jul. 12, 2008. Observations were carried out from 6:00-8:00 am and from 18:00-20:00 pm every day with exceptions on afternoons of Jun. 5, 8, 9, 13 and 24, mornings of Jun. 14 and Jul. 2, the whole day from Jun. 16 to Jul.8 (alfalfa plot) and from Jun. 21 to 22 (the reed plot.) For more details, see Readme file.

The dataset of ground truth measurements synchronizing with Envisat ASAR was obtained in the saline plot B, the alfalfa plot D and the barley plot E of the Linze grassland foci experimental area on May 24, 2008. The data were in AP mode and VV/VH polarization combinations, and the overpass time was approximately at 11:34 BJT. The quadrate was divided into 6×6 subsites, with each one spanning a 120×120 m2 plot. Corner points were chosen. Simultaneous with the satellite overpass, numerous ground data were collected, soil gravimetric moisture, volumetric moisture, and soil bulk density after drying by the cutting ring (100cm^3), the mean soil temperature from 0-5cm by the probe thermometer, and the land surface radiative temperature measured three times by the hand-held infrared thermometer in plot B; soil moisture, soil conductivity, the soil temperature, and the real part of soil complex permittivity by WET, the mean soil temperature from 0-5cm by the probe thermometer, and the land surface radiative temperature measured three times by the hand-held infrared thermometer in plot D; the soil temperature, soil moisture, the loss tangent, soil conductivity, the real part and the imaginary part of soil complex permittivity by the POGO soil sensor, the mean soil temperature from 0-5cm by the probe thermometer, and the land surface radiative temperature measured three times by the hand-held infrared thermometer in plot E. Data were archived in Excel file. Those provide reliable ground data for retrieval and validation of soil moisture and alinity content with active microwave remote sensing approaches. See WATER: Dataset of setting of the sampling plots and stripes in the Linze station foci experimental area for more information.

The dataset of ground truth measurement synchronizing with the airborne imaging spectrometer (OMIS-II) mission was obtained in the Yingke oasis and Huazhaizi desert steppe foci experimental areas on Jun. 16, 2008. Observation items included: (1) The radiative temperature by the handheld radiometer in Yingke oasis maize field (from BNU, the vertical canopy observation, the transect observation and the diagonal observation), Yingke oasis wheat field (only for the transect temperature), and Huazhaizi desert No. 2 plot (the NE-SW diagonal observation). Besides, the maize radiative temperature and the physical temperature were also measured both by the handheld radiometer and the probe thermometer in the maize plot of 30m near the resort. The data included raw data (in Word format), recorded data and the blackbody calibrated data (in Excel format). (2) Atmospheric parameters in Huazhaizi desert No. 2 plot by CE318 (produced by CIMEL in France). The total optical depth, aerosol optical depth, Rayleigh scattering coefficient, column water vapor in 936 nm, particle size spectrum and phase function were then retrieved from these observations. The optical depth in 1020nm, 936nm, 870nm, 670nm and 440nm were all acquired by CE318. Those data include the raw data in k7 format and can be opened by ASTPWin. ReadMe.txt is attached for detail. Processed data (after retrieval of the raw data) in Excel format are on optical depth, rayleigh scattering, aerosol optical depth, the horizontal visibility, the near surface air temperature, the solar azimuth, zenith, solar distance correlation factors, and air column mass number. (3) The radiative temperature of maize, wheat and the bare land in Yingke oasis maize field and Huazhaizi desert maize field by ThermaCAM SC2000 (1.2m above the ground, FOV = 24°×18°), The data included raw data (read by ThermaCAM Researcher 2001), recorded data and the blackbody calibrated data (archived in Excel format). (4) The reflectance spectra by ASD through the vertical canopy observation and the transect observation in Yingke oasis maize field (350-2500nm , from BNU), and Huazhaizi desert maize field and Huazhaizi desert No. 1 plot (350-2500nm , from Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, CAS). The data included raw data (in .doc format), recorded data and the blackbody calibrated data (in Excel format). (5) The radiative temperature by the automatic thermometer (FOV: 10°; emissivity: 1.0), observing straight downwards at intervals of 1s in Yingke oasis maize field (one from BNU and the other from Institute of Remote Sensing Applications), Huazhaizi desert maize field (only one from BNU for continuous radiative temperature of the maize canopy) and Huazhaizi desert No. 2 plot (two for reaumuria soongorica canopy and the bare land). Raw data, blackbody calibrated data and processed data were all archived in Excel format. (6) Photosynthesis of maize and wheat of Yingke oasis maize field by LI6400, carried out according to WATER specifications. Raw data were archived in the user-defined format (by notepat.exe) and processed data were in Excel format. (7) Soil moisture in Yingke oasis maize field. The sample was fetched by the soil auger and weighed by the scales before and after drying. Data were archived in Excel format. (8) FPAR (Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation) of maize and wheat by SUNSACN and the digital camera in Yingke oasis maize field. FPAR= (canopyPAR－surface transmissionPAR－canopy reflection PAR+surface reflectionPAR) /canopy PAR; APAR=FPAR* canopy PAR. Data were archived in the table format of Word. (9) Maize albedo by the shortwave radiometer in Yingke oasis maize field. R =10H (R for FOV radius; H for the probe height). Data were archived in Excel format.

Dataset of airborne imaging spectrometer (OMIS-II) mission was obtained in the Zhangye-Yingke-Huazhaizi flight zone on Jun. 4, 2008. Data after radiometric correction and calibration and geometric approximate correction were released. The flying time of each route was as follows: {| ! id ! flight ! file ! starttime ! lat ! long ! alt ! image linage ! endtime ! lat ! long ! alt |- | 1 || 3-15 || 2008-06-04_10-09-09_DATA.BSQ || 10:09:16 || 38.964 || 100.512 || 3315.0 || 6764 || 10:16:47 || 38.713 || 100.351 || 3351.0 |- | 2 || 3-14 || 2008-06-04_10-20-29_DATA.BSQ || 10:21:20 || 38.713 || 100.344 || 3319.1 || 6865 || 10:28:57 || 38.961 || 100.504 || 3311.7 |- | 3 || 3-13 || 2008-06-04_10-33-05_DATA.BSQ || 10:34:27 || 38.974 || 100.505 || 3340.1 || 6934 || 10:42:09 || 38.718 || 100.341 || 3370.7 |- | 4 || 3-12 || 2008-06-04_10-45-51_DATA.BSQ || 10:47:00 || 38.711 || 100.30 || 3331.2 || 6999 || 10:54:47 || 38.966 || 100.494 || 3315.8 |- | 5 || 3-11 || 2008-06-04_10-58-29_DATA.BSQ || 11:00:26 || 38.978 || 100.495 || 3332.3 || 6914 || 11:08:07 || 38.723 || 100.331 || 3356.2 |- | 6 || 3-10 || 2008-06-04_11-11-48_DATA.BSQ || 11:12:43 || 38.716 || 100.320 || 3326.8 || 6969 || 11:20:28 || 38.970 || 100.484 || 3318.1 |- | 7 || 3-9 || 2008-06-04_11-24-09_DATA.BSQ || 11:25:54 || 38.978 || 100.483 || 3337.7 || 6755 || 11:33:25 || 38.727 || 100.321 || 3339.4 |- | 8 || 3-8 || 2008-06-04_11-37-06_DATA.BSQ || 11:38:31 || 38.721 || 100.310 || 3327.3 || 6930 || 11:46:13 || 38.976 || 100.474 || 3326.6 |- | 9 || 3-7 || 2008-06-04_11-49-54_DATA.BSQ || 11:51:37 || 38.984 || 100.473 || 3333.0 || 6730 || 11:59:05 || 38.732 || 100.311 || 3351.4 |- | 10 || 3-6 || 2008-06-04_12-02-47_DATA.BSQ || 12:03:48 || 38.725 || 100.300 || -1.0 || 6790 || 12:11:21 || 38.978 || 100.462 || 3325.8 |- | 11 || 3-5 || 2008-06-04_12-15-02_DATA.BSQ || 12:16:41 || 38.991 || 100.465 || 3357.9 || 6893 || 12:24:21 || 38.734 || 100.300 || 3386.0 |- | 12 || 3-4 || 2008-06-04_12-28-02_DATA.BSQ || 12:28:52 || 38.729 || 100.290 || 3331.3 || 6820 || 12:36:27 || 38.983 || 100.453 || 3327.5 |- | 13 || 3-3 || 2008-06-04_12-40-09_DATA.BSQ || 12:41:59 || 38.994 || 100.454 || 3347.3 || 6934 || 12:49:41 || 38.741 || 100.291 || 3360.4 |- | 14 || 3-2 || 2008-06-04_12-53-23_DATA.BSQ || 12:54:31 || 38.734 || 100.280 || 3328.1 || 7110 || 13:02:25 || 38.990 || 100.445 || 3338.6 |- | 15 || 3-1 || 2008-06-04_13-06-07_DATA.BSQ || 13:07:35 || 39.000 || 100.444 || 3325.9 || 6979 || 13:15:20 || 38.746 || 100.281 || 3334.4 |}

The dataset of eddy covariance observations was obtained at the Dayekou Guantan forest station (E100°15′/N38°32′, 2835m), south of Zhangye city, Gansu province, from Dec. 27, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2009. Guantan forest station was dominated by the spruce 15-20m high and the surface was covered by moss 10cm deep. All the vegetation was in good condition. The original observation items included the latitudinal wind speed Ux (m/s), the latitudinal wind speed Uy (m/s), the longitudinal wind speed Uz (m/s), the ultrasonic temperature Ts (°C), co2 consistency (mg/m^3), h2o consistency (g/m^3), air pressure (KPa) and the abnormal ultrasonic signal (diag_csat). The instrument mount-height was 20.02m, the ultrasound direction was at an azimuth angle of 74°, the distance between Li7500 and CSAT3 was 30cm and sampling frequency was 10HZ. The dataset was distributed at three levels: Level0 were the raw data acquired by instruments; Level1, including the sensible heat flux (Hs), the latent heat flux (LE_wpl), and co2 flux (Fc_wpl), were real-time eddy covariance output data and stored in .csv month by month; Level2 were processed data in a 30-minute cycle after outliers elimination, coordinates rotation, frequency response correction, WPL correction and initial quality control. The data were named as follows: station name +data level+data acquisition date. As for detailed information, please refer to Meteorological and Hydrological Flux Data Guide and Eddy Covariance Observation Manual.

The dataset of ground truth measurement synchronizing with PROBA CHRIS was obtained in the Yingke oasis and Huazhaizi desert steppe foci experimental areas on Jun. 22, 2008. Observation items included: (1) Albedo by the shortwave radiometer in Huazhaizi desert No. 2 plot. R =10H (R for FOV radius; H for the probe height). Data were archived in Excel format. (2) BRDF of maize in Yingke oasis maize field by ASD (350-2 500 nm) from Beijing University and the observation platform of BNU make. The maximum height of the platform was 5m above the ground with the azimuth 0~360° and the zenith angle -60°~60°; BRDF in Huazhaizi desert No. 2 plot by ASD from Institute of Remote Sensing Applications (CAS) and the observation platform of its own make, whose maximum height was 2m above the ground with the zenith angle -70°~70°. Raw data were binary files direct from ASD (by ViewSpecPro), and pre-processed data on reflectance were in Excel format. (3) Atmospheric parameters in Huazhaizi desert No. 2 plot by CE318 (produced by CIMEL in France). The total optical depth, aerosol optical depth, Rayleigh scattering coefficient, column water vapor in 936 nm, particle size spectrum and phase function were then retrieved from these observations. The optical depth in 1020nm, 936nm, 870nm, 670nm and 440nm were all acquired by CE318. Those data include the raw data in .k7 format and can be opened by ASTPWin. ReadMe.txt is attached for detail. Processed data (after retrieval of the raw data) in Excel format are on optical depth, rayleigh scattering, aerosol optical depth, the horizontal visibility, the near surface air temperature, the solar azimuth, zenith, solar distance correlation factors, and air column mass number.

The dataset of airborne Polarimetric L-band Multibeam Radiometers (PLMR) was acquired on 3 July, 2012, located along the riverway of Heihe River in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin. The aircraft took off at 11:40 am (UTC+8) from Zhangye airport and landed at 14:10 pm, with the flight time of 2.5 hours. The flight was performed in the altitude of about 350 m and at the speed of about 220-250 km during the observation, corresponding to an expected ground resolution of about 100 m. The PLMR instrument flown on a small aircraft operates at 1.413 GHz (L-band), with both H- and V-polarizations at incidence angles of ±7.5°, ±21.5° and ±38.5°. PLMR ‘warm’ and ‘cold’ calibrations were performed before and after each flight. The processed PLMR data include 2 DAT files (v-pol and h-pol separately) and 1 KMZ file for each flying day. The DAT file contains all the TB values together with their corresponding beam ID, incidence angle, location, time stamp (in UTC) and other flight attitude information as per headings. The KMZ file shows the gridded 1-km TB values corrected to 38.5 degrees together with flight lines. Cautions should be taken when using these data, as the RFI contaminations are often higher than expected at v-polarization.

The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow was obtained, synchronizing with airborne microwave radiometers (K&Ka bands) mission in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 29, 2008. Those provide reliable ground data for retrieval of snow properties and parameters, especially snow depth and snow water equivalent study. Observation items include (1) snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the snowfork in BG-A; (2) snow parameters in BG-A (18 points), BG-B (20 points), BG-EF (20 points) and BG-I (20 points): snow depth by the ruler, the snow temperature (mean of two measurements) by the probe thermometer, snow grain size by the handheld microscope, snow density by the cutting ring for each snow layer, and the snow surface temperature and the snow-soil interface temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer. For each snow pit, the snowpack was divided into several layers with 10-cm intervals of snow depth. Two files including raw data and pre-processed data were archived.

The dataset of surface roughness measurements by phototaking was obtained in the Huazhaizi desert steppe foci experimental area. Observation items included: (1) Surface roughness synchronizing with ASAR and MODIS in Huazhaizi desert No. 2 plot on May 24, 2008. (2) Surface roughness synchronizing with WiDAS in Huazhaizi desert No. 1 plot on May 30, 2008. The self-made roughness reference board (Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, CAS), the digital camera and the compass were used. Sample points were selected at equal intervals along the diagonals and marked in the photos.

The dataset of photosynthesis observed by Li-6400 was obtained in the Yingke oasis, Huazhaizi desert steppe and Linze grassland foci experimental areas. Parameters included: CO2R_µml: CO2 viscosity inside the reference lab (µmol CO2 mol-1); CO2S_µml: CO2 viscosity inside the sample room (µmol CO2 mol-1); H2OR_mml: H2O viscosity inside the reference lab (mmol H2O mol-1); H2OS_mml: H2O viscosity inside the sample room (mmol H2O mol-1); Flow_CV%: variation coefficient of Flow_µml (%); RH_R_%: relative humidity inside the reference lab (%); RH_S_%: relative humidity inside the sample room (%); Td_R_%: dew-point temperature inside the reference lab (C); Td_S_%: dew-point temperature inside the sample room (C); Prss_kPa: air pressure (kPa); ParIn_µm: active radiation of interior photosynthesis (µmol m-2 s-1); c: active radiation of interior photosynthesis (µmol m-2 s-1); BLC_moll: boundary layer conductance (mol m-2 s-1); Tblock°C: temperature inside the sample room (°C) (mmol H2O mol-1); Tleaf°C: leaf temperature (°C); HH:MM:SS: time; Program: automatic program mode; CHPWMF：Status word (summary of line J); Battery: battery voltage (V); CO2: CO2 IRGAs; H2O: IRGAs; Pump: pump; Flow: air flow controller; Mixr: CO2 mixer; Fan: fan; Program: automatic program mode; ProgPrgs: AutoProgram step counter; FwMxCrLp: Numerical summary of the four stability flags; totalCV% : See totalCV% under E above; CRagc_mv: Reference CO2 AGC (automatic gain control) signal, in mV; CSagc_mv: Sample CO2 AGC signal; HRagc_mv: Reference H2O AGC signal; HSagc_mv: Sample H2O AGC signal. Observations were carried out as follows: (1) Photosynthesis synchronizing with TM in Yingke oasis No. 1 maize plot (three maize plants), No. 4 (5 maize plants) and No. 5 (2 wheat plants) on May 20, 2008. (2) Barley and alfalfa synchronizing with ASAR and MODIS on May 24, 2008. (3) Photosynthesis synchronizing with ASAR and MODIS in Yingke oasis maize plot on May 28, 2008. (4) Photosynthesis synchronizing with WiDAS in Yingke oasis maize plot on May 30, 2008. (5) Photosynthesis synchronizing with OMIS-II in Yingke oasis maize plot on Jun. 4, 2008. (6) Photosynthesis synchronizing with OMIS-II in Yingke oasis maize plot on Jun. 16, 2008. (7) Photosynthesis synchronizing with WiDAS in Yingke oasis maize plot on Jun. 29, 2008. (8) Photosynthesis synchronizing with WiDAS and TM in Yingke oasis maize plot on Jul. 7, 2008. (9) Photosynthesis synchronizing with WiDAS in Yingke oasis maize plot on Jul. 11, 2008. Data, including observation time, instrument parameters and those above mentioned, were archived in the original format of LI-6400, and could be read by .exe and Microsoft Excel.

The dataset of spectral reflectance observations of the Picea crassifolia was obtained at the super site around the Dayekou Guantan forest station. Six measurements were carried out altogether, including three outdoors and three indoors. (1) Outdoor multiangle (-60°, -50°, -40°, -30°, -20°, -0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50° and 60°) and four-component (the sunshine and the shaded canopy, the sunshine and the shaded land) spectrum of Qinghai spruce was measured by ASD, FieldSpec Pro and the observation platform (of BNU make) on Jun. 10 and 11, 2008. Optical fibres of 1m and 10m were used as required. Data were archived as Excel files. (2) Indoor observations by the integrating sphere, Li－Cor 1800-12s (BNU), ASD and FieldSpec Pro were carried out on Jun. 5, 0 and 10, 2008. They were mainly for trees of different ages, reflectance of Qinghai spruce bark, and reflectance and transmission. The data can only be opened by ASD ViewSpecPro; the processed spreadsheet file can be opened by Microsoft Excel. (3) Vertical ground object (scrub, meadow, moss, the shaded moss, litter, the bare land, Qinghai spruce of different ages) spectrum was measured by ASD and FieldSpec Pro on Jun. 4, 2008. Optical fibres of 1m and 10m were used as required.