Scattering Coefficients of Forested Mountainsides at L Band

This study investigates the electromagnetic wave propagation through forests on both non-sloping and sloped terrains, emphasizing the differences in scattering mechanisms between the two. Using a model based on the Foldy-Lax approximation and Distorted Born Approximation (DBA), the study computes bistatic scattering coefficients for forested environments. For non-sloping terrain, the scattering is driven by the azimuthally symmetric distribution of trunks, branches, and leaves. On sloped terrain, this symmetry is disrupted, leading to significant polarization conversion effects. Results are presented, using the ground truth data acquired from the White Mountains, NH, showing azimuthally asymmetric attenuation values and cross-polarization effects on forested mountainsides compared to the non-sloping terrain.