Time series analysis of multi-frequency SAR backscatter and bistatic coherence in the context of flood mapping

Abstract

In this study, time series analysis of multifrequency radar backscatter and bi-static coherence is presented to investigate the behavior of the SAR signal over several semantic classes in the context of flood mapping. The focus is on open water surfaces as well as on partially submerged Vegetation such as forests and reeds at different densities and plant phenological stages. The first study area at River Saale, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, is covered by multi- frequency SAR data of the sensors TerraSAR-X, ALOS PALSAR and RADARSAT-2 and a second test site at River Wabesh/River Ohio, USA, by data of the TanDEM-X mission. Flood events occurred in both times series, which allows evaluating variations of the SAR signal between flood periods and normal water level conditions.