IMPORTANCE OF DIHEDRAL REFLECTION IN RADAR REMOTE-SENSING OF FORESTS

The radar backscattering from extraordinary poplar stands, where all t he trunks are leaning in the same direction, has been modelled. Data a cquired with the JPL/AIRSAR during the MAESTRO-1 campaign have been us ed. At the C and L bands the backscattering is not influenced by the l eaning of the trunks. At the P band the backscattering decreases at HH polarization particularly. This can be predicted theoretically and is explained by distortion of the trunk-ground dihedral reflection. A si milar effect is obtained when topography affects the backscattering.