Table 2 Statistical relationship between the monthly albedo, VWC and EVI for the ten sites in growing season

Albedo ~ EVI

r = − 0.462; R² = 0.213; p < 0.01

(AIC = − 270.9)

R² = 0.251; p < 0.01*

(AIC = − 279.8)

R² = 0.542; p < 0.01

(AIC = − 375.0)

EVI ~ VWC

r = 0.303; R² = 0.09; p < 0.01

(AIC = − 137.2)

R² = 0.121; p < 0.01*

(AIC = − 143.1)

R² = 0.755; p < 0.01

(AIC = − 454.2)

Albedo ~ VWC

r = − 0.472; R² = 0.223; p < 0.01

(AIC = − 275.6)

R² = 0.259; p < 0.01*

(AIC = − 282.2)

R² = 0.567; p < 0.01

(AIC = − 384.3)

Albedo ~ [EVI + VWC]

R² = 0.255; p < 0.01

(AIC = − 249.4)

R² = 0.322; p < 0.01*

(AIC = − 262.9)

R² = 0.602; p < 0.01

AIC = − 332.0)