Topography effects on polarimetric SAR remote sensing of mountainous terrain

This study aims to evaluate the effects of topographic slope variation on the vegetation backscattering characteristics of polarimetric imaging radar. The experimental analysis of those parameters is carried out on the basis of the simulation of target matrix from the microwave vegetation scattering model. The relationship between polarimetric parameters and vegetation scattering mechanisms can be significantly affected by the presence of topography. Therefore, changes in vegetation scattering mechanisms, particularly in the vegetation-ground interaction terms, should be carefully taken into account in the analysis of SAR signal from mountainous areas.