An estimation of reference sites numbers necessary for the validation of global soil moisture products

Carsten Montzka, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich 52428, Germany, Heye R Bogena, Agrosphere Institute (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Deutschland, Germany, Michael Herbst, Agrosphere Institute (IBG-3) Forschungszentrum Jülich, Deutschland, Germany, Michael H Cosh, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, United States, Thomas Jagdhuber, German Aerospace Center DLR Oberpfaffenhofen, Microwaves and Radar Institute, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany and Harry Vereecken, Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Julich, Germany