Comparison of Polarimetric Classification Results Using ALOS PALSAR Data

Inhalt:
Polarimetric SAR data allow the possibility to increase significantly the amount of information about ground objects obtained during SAR observations. ALOS PALSAR data become available since 2006 and combine polarimetric capabilities with relatively long wavelength. The objective of this work was to investigate the potential of L band polarimetric data for forest cover mapping in different terrestrial ecosystems (tropical forests at that stage). The capabilities of SAR to separate forest from other land covers make it a useful tool for that purpose, while it can work in alltimes (both day and night) and weather conditions. A number of investigations have been carried out to prepare land/forest cover maps using various frequencies of SAR (mostly in C and L bands). JERS-1, ERS and ENVISAT SAR data were used to prepare forest cover maps in different test sites. The study applied object-oriented image classifications to extract forest, non-forest and deforested areas on the multi-temporal images.