Correlation between L-band SAR polarimetric parameters and LiDAR metrics over a forested area

Correlations between L-band SAR polarimetric parameters obtained with airborne SAR (Pi-SAR-L2) and metrics obtained with airborne LiDAR were examined to identify the relationship between the full polarimetric parameters and forest parameters obtained for a natural forest in Indonesia. Values of a⁰_HV and a⁰_VV show good correlations with canopy height and 90^th percentile metrics of LiDAR, with R² values of 0.85-0.89. These correlations show higher R² values than the value of 0.33 for a⁰_HV vs. above-ground biomass. The results indicate that a⁰ shows a robust correlation with tree height weighted to taller trees. Polarimetric parameters estimated from a single tree also support the results. Entropy and anisotropy obtained from a single tree shows almost the same value, and a is about 45°, while the tree height ranges 2 m to 6 m. This indicates that these parameters are preferable for land cover classification.