Radar backscatter from boreal forest in winter

The Helsinki University of Technology Scatterometer (HUTSCAT) was used to collect airborne data on radar backscatter from a variety of forest types and land-use categories in the Sodankyla test site, northern Finland. HUTSCAT operates at C- and X-band, VV, HH-H, VH, and HV polarization. Four incidence angles were used: 23, 30, 37, and 45 degrees off nadir. HUTSCAT measures the backscatter as a function of distance, thus allowing separation between contributions from the tree canopy and the ground. Measurements were conducted under dry snow, wet snow, and snow-free conditions. Backscatter contributions from the snow/ground and the trees, and the capability of various channels to produce forest canopy information is discussed