Deriving forest characteristics using polarimetric InSAR measurements and models

We report on a range of experiments designed to address previous shortcomings in microwave imaging of forests, by exploiting more sophisticated radar measurements and bringing physical models to bear. The experiments are based around a set of high-resolution airborne X- and L-band polarimetric interferometric radar acquisitions of Thetford forest, a managed plantation in the UK. The information content of the interferometric coherence, scattering phase centres and backscatter coefficients at different wavelengths and polarisations with respect to canopy structure is examined and compared with outputs from a coherent microwave scattering model to support interpretation of the data. The results suggest that improved resolution and interferometric information are important in retrieving biophysical parameters of interest to the forestry and carbon modelling communities.