Backscattering properties of boreal forests at C- and X-bands

The backscattering properties of boreal forests are studied using empirical airborne and spaceborne radar data from southern Finland. Airborne measurements were carried out in the summer 1992 by the HUTSCAT scatterometer. The HUTSCAT seatterometer is an 8-channel helicopter-borne profiling radar operating in Cand X-bands. Additionally, ERS-1 C-band satellite SAR measurements were obtained for the test area. The radar results were compared against operational ground-based forest assessment data on forest compartments (stands) of the area. The key parameter investigated was the stem (bole) volume per hectare, which is a parameter directly related to the biomass of the forest. The backscatter profile information was employed in the analysis of the canopy transmissivity and the canopy backscattering coefficient by separating backscattering contributions from the canopy and the ground.<
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