MIL3MLS_004 is the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) Level 3 Component Global Land Product covering a month version 4. It contains a statistical summary of directional hemispherical reflectance (DHR), photosynthetically active spectral region (DHR-PAR), DHR for near-infrared band (DHR-NIR), fractional absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FPAR), DHR-based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and land surface bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF) model parameters. It is classified into six vegetated and one non-vegetated types. This data product is a global summary of relevant Level 2 land/surface parameters, averaged over a month and reported on a geographic grid with a resolution of 0.5 degree by 0.5 degree. Data collection for this product was completed in May of 2017. This collection contains the Leaf Area Index (LAI).
MISR is designed to view Earth with cameras in 9 different directions. As the instrument flies overhead, all nine cameras successfully imaged each piece of Earth's surface below in 4 wavelengths (blue, green, red, and near-infrared). MISR aims to improve our understanding of the effects of sunlight on Earth and distinguish different types of clouds, particles, and surfaces. Specifically, MISR monitors the monthly, seasonal, and long-term trends in three areas: 1) amount and type of atmospheric particles (aerosols), including those formed by natural sources and by human activities; 2) amounts, types, and heights of clouds, and 3) distribution of land surface cover, including vegetation canopy structure.