A new three-stage inversion procedure of forest height with the Improved Temporal Decorrelation RVoG model

Forest parameters can be estimated using the single baseline polarimetric synthetic aperture radar interferometry (PolInSAR) data using the Random Volume over ground (RVoG) model. For a long-term temporal baseline, temporal decorrelation was present in all the polarimetric channels for the entire range of the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data due to the complex changes process of the two temporal acquisitions. To overcome this problem, the Improved Temporal Decorrelation Random Volume over Ground (Improved TD-RVoG) model, based on the RVoG model is developed to minimise the effect of temporal decorrelation. This model introduces a new temporal decorrelation function requiring only one more additional parameter than the RVoG model. The new model is appropriate for use with the `Three stage inversion´ procedure. Finally, the new model is validated by using single-baseline Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) SAR data.