Interpretation of polarimetric radar signatures of mangrove forests

Polarimetric AIRSAR data acquired over a variety of mangrove forests are an alyzed with the assistance of a three-layer radiative transfer model. The n ecessary input parameters to the model come from detailed ground measuremen ts performed in 12 mangrove stands that are representative of the different successional stages of the mangrove forest dynamics. On the whole, P-band provides the most pronounced polarimetric signatures. Among the polarimetri c parameters, the polarization ratio is found to be useful for analyzing sc attering mechanisms and for discriminating between various forest stages. C omparison between AIRSAR data and simulations shows that the model is able to describe the overall radar signature of mangrove forests at P-, L- and C -band. However, this study also points out the limitation of such models. ( C) Elsevier Science Inc., 2000.