Diurnal variation of backscattering properties of pine trees at C and X-band

Author

Heiska, Kari ; Hallikainen, Martti

Author_Institution

Lab. of Space Technol., Helsinki Univ. of Technol., Espoo, Finland

Volume

4

fYear

1994

fDate

8-12 Aug 1994

Firstpage

2470

Abstract

The behavior of the backscattering coefficient of a pine tree canopy was monitored at C- and X-band, VV, HH, VH and HV polarizations over a period of 24 hours in August 1993. By using their HUTSCAT ranging scatterometer, the authors could measure separately the total backscattering coefficient, the ground contribution and the canopy contribution. The incidence angle was 40° off nadir and the radar system was moved along a rail in order to obtain enough independent samples. The volumetric moisture of a tree trunk and ground surface (0 to 15 cm) along with the air temperature and total solar radiation was monitored as well. The backscattering coefficient for various frequency/polarization combination was compared with the ground truth. The results indicate that the diurnal behavior of the backscattering coefficient at C-band is different from that at X-band

Keywords

backscatter; forestry; geophysical techniques; radar applications; radar cross-sections; radar imaging; radar polarimetry; remote sensing; remote sensing by radar; spaceborne radar; AD 1993 08; C-band; HUTSCAT ranging scatterometer; SHF microwave radar; X-band; backscatter; backscattering properties; canopy contribution; diurnal variation; forest forestry; geophysical measurement technique; ground contribution; pine trees; polarization; radar polarimetry; radar scattering; remote sensing; tree trunk; vegetation mapping; Backscatter; Extraterrestrial measurements; Land surface temperature; Moisture measurement; Polarization; Radar measurements; Rails; Soil measurements; Soil moisture; Space technology;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 1994. IGARSS '94. Surface and Atmospheric Remote Sensing: Technologies, Data Analysis and Interpretation., International

Conference_Location

Pasadena, CA

Print_ISBN

0-7803-1497-2

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IGARSS.1994.399772

Filename

399772