Multi-frequency analysis of high resolution quad-pol Radarsat-2 and dual-pol TerraSAR-X data for land cover classification in Arctic Coastal Ecosystems, Mackenzie Delta, beaufort sea

With the potential for greater human presence and increased development of natural resources including oil and gas, culturally and biologically sensitive shorelines in the Arctic may face increasing risk of environmental emergencies. Establishing response contingency plans may reduce impacts, and are particularly beneficial in this region because accessibility is limited and environmental conditions are harsh. This study will assess the potential for automated classification of Arctic shore and near shore land cover types using polarimetric Radarsat-2 and TerraSAR-X imagery. Results will contribute to the improvement and in some cases the establishment of shoreline sensitivity indices, which could help responders prioritize protection along the most sensitive shorelines in the event of an environmental emergency.