Integration of ERS 1/2 SAR data for updating land information systems

The work is aimed to improve land use classification based on ERS-SAR. Classification results should be integrated into authority linked Land Information Systems (LIS). The present study is focused on the multiple effects of different ground truth parameters on ERS-SAR backscattering. Time series of the backscattering coefficient (BSC) for different crops will be analyzed. The influence of different regional climate, soil and plant growth conditions on the BSC are demonstrated by some examples. Therefore, a comprehensive GIS database is required to allow a statistical approach by correlating the multiple ground truth parameters with the radar signal. On that account a new adapted three-level ground truth methodology has been developed, using field GIS with an attached differential GPS.