Measurements of forest change using P-band SAR backscatter

Using data from the recent BioSAR 2007 and BioSAR 2010 campaigns, it has for the first time been possible to measure forest biomass change using P-band SAR data. Regression models based on backscatter change have been developed using reference data derived from high density laser scanning data. The models were evaluated for six areas with detailed in-situ measurements, for which the maximum biomass loss and growth was 30% and 20%, respectively. For the best model the coefficients of determination was 55-89%. This result suggests that not only clear cuts but also forest growth and thinning can be measured using P-band SAR backscatter.