Comparison between simulations and interferometric polarimetric SAR P-band data on a pine-trees forest

The interpretation of SAR data remains particularly difficult in case of forests, which makes the use of modelling very helpful. On the other hand, the potential of combined use of interferometric and polarimetric data has been already demonstrated to provide key forest parameters. In this paper, we present comparisons between interferometric polarimetric images of a forest simulated by a coherent scattering model derived from L. Thirion (2003) and L. Thirion (2004), and real airborne and full polarimetric interferometric P-band data measured over maritime pine trees. Results are presented that demonstrate the efficiency of the model to retrieve polarimetric and interferometric parameters on this forest. Finally, a first step of simplification and inversion of the model, relying on the analysis of the scatterers contributions, is proposed