Fine Resolution Signatures of Coniferous and Deciduous Trees at C Band

Abstract

A very fine resolution frequency-modulated, continuous-wave (FM-CW) radar scatterometer with a range resolution of 11·5 cm and a footprint 20 cm in diameter at a range of 4·5 m was used to investigate the backscattering and attenuation sources in sugar maple, pin oak and pine trees at incidence angles of 30° and 50° with vertical, horizontal and cross polarizations. Constituent defoliation to isolate the primary backscatter sources indicated that, at vertical and horizontal polarizations, branchlets and stems account for a major portion of the backscatter and attenuation. With cross-polarization the backscatter was very sensitive to the linear features of the branches (i.e. petioles, stems and branchlets) and not the leaves but, at this polarization, the leaves accounted for all of the attenuation. For pine trees, needles dominated the backscatter and accounted for most of the attenuation. Cones also showed significant backscattering. It was shown that the moisture content, size and relative orientation of tree constituents affected the backscatter and attenuation properties.

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Sponsor(s)

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Comments

This work was funded by NASA Grant Number NAG 5-271.

Keywords and Phrases

Coniferous Tree; Deciduous Tree; Resolution Signature; Tree; Radar; Coniferous Trees; Deciduous Trees; Radar Scattering; Scatterometer; Forestry

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0143-1161

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1989 Taylor & Francis, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1989

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS