Computer-aided interpretation of forest radar images

Computer-aided interpretation is described of forest radar images registered with multispectral thematic mapper images by computer-aided image enhancement, classification, and autocorrelation analysis. Synthetic aperture radar images may be used to discriminate between forests of various spatial structures as well as various types (predominant species). The spatial distribution of trees within radar resolution pixels, especially the gaps between trees, influences both the average backscatter from a forest stand and the texture of radar images, depending on the relative scale of these gaps with respect to the resolution, and the angle of incidence of the radar signal