Theoretical Modeling and Analysis of L- and P-band Radar Backscatter Sensitivity to Soil Active Layer Dielectric Variations

Remote Sensing

Jinyang Du³  John S. Kimball³  Mahta Moghaddam²  Nicolas Baghdadi¹ 

[1] Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group, College of Forestry and Conservation, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; E-Mail;The Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; E-Mail:;Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group, College of Forestry and Conservation, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: radar;    L-band;    P-band;    soil active layer;    Freeze-thaw;    AIRSAR;    CLPX;   

DOI  :  10.3390/rs70709450

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Freeze-thaw (FT) and moisture dynamics within the soil active layer are critical elements of boreal, arctic and alpine ecosystems, and environmental change assessments. We evaluated the potential for detecting dielectric changes within different soil layers using combined L- and P-band radar remote sensing as a prerequisite for detecting FT and moisture profile changes within the soil active layer. A two-layer scattering model was developed and validated for simulating radar responses from vertically inhomogeneous soil. The model simulations indicated that inhomogeneity in the soil dielectric profile contributes to both L- and P-band backscatter, but with greater P-band sensitivity at depth. The difference in L- and P-band responses to soil dielectric profile inhomogeneity appears suitable for detecting associated changes in soil active layer conditions. Additional evaluation using collocated airborne radar (AIRSAR) observations and in situ soil moisture measurements over alpine tundra indicates that combined L- and P-band SAR observations are sensitive to soil dielectric profile heterogeneity associated with variations in soil moisture and FT conditions.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.