Abstract

The ability to retrieve forest stem volume using CARABAS (coherent all radio band sensing) SAR images (28–60 MHz) has been investigated. The test site is a deciduous mixed forest on the island of Öland in southern Sweden. The images have been radiometrically calibrated using an array of horizontal dipoles. The images exhibit a clear discrimination between the forest and open fields. The results show that the dynamic range of the backscattering coefficient among the forest stands is higher than what has been found with conventional SAR using microwave frequencies. The backscatter increases with increasing radar frequency. This work shows an advantage compared to higher frequencies for stem volume estimation in dense forests.

Keywords

CARABAS; SAR; stem volume; VHF

Published in

IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing
1997, number: 35
Publisher: IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/123973