Seasat synthetic aperture radar ( SAR) response to lowland vegetation types in eastern Maryland and Virginia

Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Examination of SEASAT SAR images of eastern Maryland and Virginia reveals botanical distinctions between vegetated lowland areas and adjacent upland areas. Radar returns from the lowland areas can be either brighter or darker than returns from the upland forests. Scattering models and scatterometer measurements predict an increase of 6 dB in backscatter from vegetation over standing water. This agrees with the SCWigital number (DN) increase observed in the digital SEASAT data. The brightest areas in the Chickahominy, Virginia, drainage, containing P. virginica about 0.4 m high, contrast with the brightest areas in the Blackwater, Maryland, marshes, which contain mature loblolly pine in standing water. The darkest vegetated area in the Chickahominy drainage contains a forest of Nyssa aquatica (water tupelo) about 18 m high, while the darkest vegetated area in the Blackwater marshes contains the marsh plant Spartina alterniflora, 0.3 m high. The density, morphology, and relative geometry of the lowland vegetation with respect to standing water can all affect the strength of the return L band signal.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Seasat synthetic aperture radar ( SAR) response to lowland vegetation types in eastern Maryland and Virginia
Series title Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans
DOI 10.1029/JC088iC03p01937
Volume 88
Issue C3
Year Published 1983
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Description 16 p.
First page 1937
Last page 1952
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details