Retrieval of forest stem volume using VHF SAR

Author

Israelsson, Hans ; Ulander, Lars M H ; Askne, Jan I H ; Fransson, Johan E S ; Frolind, Per-Olov ; Gustavsson, Anders ; Hellsten, Hans

Author_Institution

Dept. of Radio & Space Sci., Chalmers Univ. of Technol., Goteborg, Sweden

Volume

35

Issue

1

fYear

1997

fDate

1/1/1997 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

36

Lastpage

40

Abstract

The ability to retrieve forest stem volume using CARABAS (coherent all radio band sensing) SAR images (28-60 MHz) has been investigated. The test site is a deciduous mixed forest on the island of Oland in southern Sweden. The images have been radiometrically calibrated using an array of horizontal dipoles. The images exhibit a clear discrimination between the forest and open fields. The results show that the dynamic range of the backscattering coefficient among the forest stands is higher than what has been found with conventional SAR using microwave frequencies. The backscatter increases with increasing radar frequency. This work shows an advantage compared to higher frequencies for stem volume estimation in dense forests

Keywords

airborne radar; forestry; geophysical techniques; radar cross-sections; radar imaging; remote sensing by radar; synthetic aperture radar; 28 to 60 MHz; CARABAS; HF radar; Oland; SAR; Sweden; VHF radar; airborne radar; backscattering coefficient; biomass; coherent all radio band sensing; deciduous mixed forest; dense forest; discrimination; forest stem volume; forestry; geophysical measurement technique; horizontal dipole array; radar imaging; radar remote sensing; radar scattering; tree trunk; vegetation mapping; wood; Aircraft; Backscatter; Biomass; Frequency estimation; Image retrieval; Polarization; Radar imaging; Radar polarimetry; Space technology; Testing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0196-2892

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/36.551932

Filename

551932