Estimation of pasture biomass and soil-moisture using dual-polarimetric X and L band SAR - accuracy assessment with field data

This paper presents the results of a study conducted to relate X and L band polarimetric SAR backscatter to pasture soil moisture and biomass as part of an environmental monitoring program. Extensive field data was collected concurrently with satellite SAR data acquisition - including dry/wet above ground biomass, soil moisture, surface roughness profiles and EM-38 electromagnetic sensor data. This data is used for both electromagnetically modeling the surface to work out the theoretical backscatter as well as empirical fitting regression models to the recorded SAR data and validation of existing inversion models.