BIOSAR 2007: Technical Assistance for the Development of Airborne SAR and Geophysical Measurements during the BioSAR 2007 Experiment

Abstract

The understanding of processes occurring in Boreal forests and observation of changes over the huge areas of Boreal regions can efficiently be carried out using satellite instruments, which provide sustained, consistent observations over a longer time period. In order to monitor parameters important for detecting environmental changes that affect Earth’s climate, several different sensor systems are needed that are capable of measuring different physical parameters with a sufficient spatial and temporal resolution as well as the required spatial and temporal coverage. The BIOSAR project acquired airborne SAR data at longer wavelength in L- and P-band using polarimetric and polarimetric SAR interferometry modes with temporal and spatial baselines varying from 15 min to 60 min within one day and in repeat pass after 36 and 56 days; the spatial baseline variation is ranging from 0 m to 80 m, respectively. The consolidated test site Remmingstorp with the boreal like forest type is located in shouthern Sweden and represents a managed mixed forest with trees having biomass values up to 400 t/ha. The SAR acquisitions were done simultanouly to the ground measurements. First order data quality checks of the SAR data and ground measurements are provided. Further first analysis with respect to temporal decorrelation in L- and P-band, forest height inversion, temporal baseline SAR Tomography and 6Mhz bandwith forest height inversion at P-band are presented and discussed.