ABSTRACT
There is now a widespread recognition of the need for better observations and understanding of surface water distribution and variations globally (e.g., United Nations 2004; Marburger and Bolten 2005). However, with approximately 60% of the world’s oodplains and wetlands inundated during some portions of the year, our current knowledge of the spatial extent and variability of the land surface water cycle at the regional-to-global scales is still incomplete (Finlayson et al. 1999).
