Polarimetric C-band observations of soil moisture for pasture fields

Soil moisture information is an important parameter in hydrological modelling, although providing reliable data is difficult due to its spatial variability and dynamic nature. The ability to estimate soil moisture from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has been the topic of numerous investigations. To date, most of these investigations have been limited to single or multiple linear polarized configurations. However, Radarsat-2 will be launched in 2004 and will have fully polarimetric C-Band SAR capability. In preparation for a new generation of spaceborne polarimetric SARs, Environment Canada´s Convair 580 airborne polarimetric C-band SAR acquired data over an agricultural area west of Ottawa, Canada on September 22, 2000, April 26, 2001 and May 20, 2001. Coincident ground measurements (soil moisture, biomass, and surface roughness) were collected over pasture on all dates and bare fields in the spring of 2001. Analysis includes linear polarizations (σ°_HH, σ°_VV σ°_HV), circular polarizations (σ°_RR, σ°_RL, σ°_LL), as well as fully polarimetric parameters such as pedestal height, total power, phase difference, and polarimetric signatures. This paper presents preliminary results of the September 22, 2002 data.