Analysis and observation of polarimetric scattering behavior in wetland area

This paper proposes a simple monitoring technique for water area change in wetland environment based on POLSAR image analysis. From the results of the image analysis by utilizing fully or quad. polarimetric SAR data set, it is found that strong double-bounce scattering can be observed at the vicinity of the boundary region between water area and the surrounding emerged-plants area. This peculiar scattering feature is utilized as a useful marker for estimating the water area change. To verify the generating mechanism of the double-bounce scattering, the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) polarimetric scattering analysis is also carried out for a simplified water-emergent boundary model. The dependency of the polarimetric scattering feature on the variation of the radar incident angle, the change of the biomass and material parameters of the surrounding emerged-plants is investigated. Resultantly, it is confirmed from the detailed FDTD analysis that by using the proposed technique, one can estimate the true water area change in wetland and its surrounding area in all seasons.