Assessing pine barrens soil moisture regimes using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) techniques

The evaluation of soil moisture parameters within various soil regimes is somewhat difficult and challenging. Spatial and temporal invariability often complicates this process. The following study presents a format in which the spatial and temporal variations that govern upper surface (0-5 cm) soil moisture regimes within ecologically sensitive regions such as "Pine Barrens" can be studied. Based on in situ measurements, coupled with satellite derived analysis, radar backscatter, surface roughness, incidence angles, relative beam modes, and nominal area coverage, comparable soil moisture data between simulated and measured values within the upper surface (0-5 cm) soil moisture regime can be analyzed.