Forest and the Random Volume over Ground - nature and effect of 3 possible error types

Abstract:
The potential of Polarimetric SAR Interferometry (Pol-InSAR) lies in the 3-dimensional resolution of different scattering processes. This proves especially useful for the interpretation of volume scatterers – such as forests - and makes physical parameter extraction possible. Due to the complex structure of forests, the interpretation of Pol-InSAR data is not straight forward, but requires the consideration of a scattering model. The Random Volume over Ground-model has frequently been employed for the forest height extraction from L-band Pol-InSAR data, and the results encourage considerations about spaceborne configurations. In this sense, it is certainly useful to benefit from an analysis of possible error types and error sources. This article addresses different error types and discusses their impact on the model-based height estimation.