Estimation of vegetation variables using AIRSAR data containing multiple scattering mechanisms

Polarimetric and multifrequency SAR data are used to construct a multi-tier estimation algorithm for successive derivation of the variables describing the entire forest canopy. This is in contrast to previous algorithms by the authors which dealt with the estimation of variables using a single scattering mechanism and the variables of a single canopy layer. The solution method starts with the upper canopy layer and higher frequencies, and works down to the lower layers using lower frequencies. Several stand types are considered, each of which has different scattering characteristics. The flexibility and applicability of this approach to various canopy types is demonstrated.