Identifying and monitoring change in wetland environments using SAR

The potential of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to map the distribution of wetlands, forests and woodlands and to monitor long term developments in these ecosystems, as well as to contribute to an understanding of global change, depends on the ability of science to unravel the relationships that exist between microwave backscatter, surface conditions and the physical characteristics of trees and forests. Four major research programs are currently being undertaken in tropical Northern Australia incorporating the analysis of SIR-C/X SAR; ERS 1/2; RADARSAT and AIRSAR data along with Landsat TM and SPOT imagery. These are: Investigating the backscatter properties and dynamics of Australian tree types and forests (with Dong and Forster). Monitoring change in coastal wetlands, forests and woodlands in Northern Australia using RADARSAT (with Finlayson). Characterisation of vegetation and land surfaces on intertidal flats in Northern Australia using radar (with Adam and King). Remotely sensed indicators of habitat heterogeneity and biological diversity: Kakadu World Heritage Region, Northern Australia (with Imhoff and Sisk).