Multifrequency and polarimetric analysis of forests with SIR-C/X-SAR data

The potential of multifrequency and polarimetric data to monitor deciduous and coniferous forests is presented. A remarkable increase of the backscatter can be noticed from spring to autumn for both forest types. Backscatter derived from data reasonably agrees with model calculations. Correlation coefficient, co-polarized phase differences and backscattering coefficients show no significance for species discrimination. A dominance of volume scattering from the crown is verified by decomposition model calculations for all three frequencies.