The effect of leaning trunks on forest radar backscattering

The radar backscattering from extraordinary poplar stands, where all the trunks are leaning towards the same direction, has been modelled. Data acquired with the JPL/AIRSAR during the MAESTRO-1 campaign have been used. At C- and L-band the backscattering is not influenced by the leaning of the trunks. At P-band the backscattering decreases at HH polarisation particularly. This can be predicted theoretically and is explained by distortion of the trunk-ground dihedral reflection. A similar effect is obtained when topography affects the backscattering.<
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