POTENTIAL OF MULTI-BAND SAR DATA FOR CLASSIFYING FOREST COVER TYPE

Although there have been lack of studies using X-band SAR data particularly for forestry application as compared to C-, and L-band SAR data, it has a potential to distinguish tree species because most signals are backscattered on the top of canopy. This study aimed to compare signal characteristics of multi-band SAR data including X-band for classifying tree species. The data used for the study are SIR-C/X-SAR data (X-, C-, L-band) obtained on Oct. 3, 1994 over the forest area near Seoul, S. Korea. Thirty ground sample plots were collected per each tree species. Initial comparison of backscattering coefficients among three SAR bands shows that X-band data showed better separation of tree species than C- and L-band SAR data irrespective of polarization. The weak penetrating in canopy layer might be possible source of information for X-band data to be useful for the classification of forest species and cover type mapping.