Passive and active microwave data for soils and crops characterization

In the framework of EC Project ReSeDA, remote sensing measurements were carried out in 1997 to monitor soil and vegetation processes on an agricultural area located in South France. This paper discusses the sensitivity of microwave sensors in separating crops and in measuring soil moisture and vegetation biomass. Experimental data were compared with a radiative transfer model able to simulate the growth cycle of wheat and sunflower crops. The results confirm the potential of microwave sensors in detecting soil and vegetation features.