CALIBRATION AND MODELING OF MAESTRO-1 POLARIMETRIC SAR DATA OF A FOREST AREA IN LES-LANDES, FRANCE

The results of an analysis of polarimetric P, L and C-band SAR data fr om the JPL AIRSAR of a forest area of maritime pine in Les Landes, sou thwest France, are described and discussed. The data were acquired in connection with the MAESTRO 1 Campaign organized by ESA and JRC/Ispra. Cross-talk and channel imbalance distortions are removed in a calibra tion process using the SAR data itself and trihedral corner reflectors positioned at the scene. Two calibration methods have been implemente d and compared: the iterative Klein algorithm and the non-iterative Qu egan algorithm. Quegan's method shows the largest reduction of the cro ss-talk, and the most stable and easily interpreted results. Also, abs olute calibration using the integral method has been performed. The re sults presented show that P band (and to some extent L band) is very s ensitive to trunk biomass using single-polarization radar data, at lea st at the incidence angles in the range from 38 degrees to 52 degrees, whereas C band is less sensitive. Also, the cylinder model by Durden et al. of the backscattering from a forest has been implemented and th e results show good agreement with the SAR data. The dominant scatteri ng mechanisms have been determined using the model at P and L bands.