Contribution of ERS-1 wind scatterometer data to the study of terrestrial vegetation

Presents results obtained with the ERS-1 wind scatterometer data over land surfaces. A global backscattering coefficient image is presented, indicating a strong correlation between the radar echo and the distribution of the main vegetation types throughout the world. Emphasis is put on four major vegetation types in Africa. Effects of multitemporal variations are compared with GVI data. Angular signatures are also examined. Results indicate the strong capability of the ERS-1 scatterometer to discriminate and monitor vegetation evolution at a global scale.<
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