A primary objective of the Earth Observing System and NPP B , respectively) are laborious, expensive and can only be carried out for small plots, yet there is a great (EOS) is to develop and validate algorithms to estimate leaf area index (L), fraction of absorbed photosyntheti-need to obtain global estimates of NPP. Process models, driven by remotely sensed input parameters, are useful cally active radiation (f APAR ), and net primary production (NPP) from remotely sensed products. These three prod-tools to examine the influence of global change on the metabolism of terrestrial ecosystems, but an incomplete ucts are important because they relate to or are components of the metabolism of the biosphere and can be de-understanding of carbon allocation continues to hamper development of more accurate NPP models. We summa-termined for terrestrial ecosystems from satellite-borne sensors. The importance of these products in the EOS rize carbon allocation patterns for major terrestrial biomes and discuss emerging allocation patterns that can program necessitates the need to use standard methods to obtain accurate ground truth estimates of L, f APAR , and be incorporated into global NPP models. One common process model, light use efficiency or epsilon model, uses NPP that are correlated to satellite-derived estimates. The objective of this article is to review direct and indirect remotely sensed f APAR , light use efficiency (LUE) and carbon allocation coefficients, and other meteorological data methods used to estimate L, f APAR , and NPP in terrestrial ecosystems. Direct estimates of L, biomass, and NPP can to estimates NPP. Such models require reliable estimates be obtained by harvesting individual plants, developing of LUE. We summarize the literature and provide LUE allometric equations, and applying these equations to all coefficients for the major biomes, being careful to correct individuals in the stand. Using non-site-specific allometfor inconsistencies in radiation, dry matter and carbon alric equations to estimate L and foliage production can location units. Β©Elsevier Science Inc., 1999 cause large errors because carbon allocation to foliage is influenced by numerous environmental and ecological factors. All of the optical instruments that indirectly esti-