Polarimetric Scattering Parameter Products of ALOS PALSAR for Forest Biomass Assessment

Abstract

One of the prime factors in the global carbon budget is forest biomass. Synthetic aperture radar polarimetry finds a useful application in remote sensing of forests as it can help with the assessment of forest structure and above-ground forest biomass. Pauli and H/A/alpha decomposition techniques are applied on the dual polarimetric L-Band ALOS PALSAR data. Relationship between ground biomass and corresponding polarimetric scattering parameter (PSP) products is investigated and a biomass estimation model is developed based on linear regression analysis. The model is developed on 36 sample points and on validating on additional 9 points showed R²=0.565 with RMSE=29.13 t/ha and Willmott’s index of agreement of 0.62. PSPs provide more information regarding forest structure rather than providing any significant information on biomass. The performance of the model can potentially improve by developing more sophisticated models involving ground topography, soil moisture, and forest structure.

Keywords: SAR, ALOS PALSAR, polarimetric scattering parameters, decomposition, biomass

Cite this Article

Sinha Suman. Polarimetric Scattering Parameter Products of ALOS PALSAR for Forest Biomass Assessment. Research and Reviews: Journal of Space Science and Technology. 2016; 5(1):   1–9p.