Model Analysis of Backscatter and Emission from Vegetated Terrains

Abstract

A model representing vegetation as an ensemble of randomly oriented dielectric disks overlaying an infinite half space with a rough boundary has been implemented to compute in a unified approach both the microwave backscattering coefficient and the emissivity. A parametric analysis has been carried out at X-band to assess the effects of the single soil and vegetation parameters on the responses of active and passive sensors. To validate the model, its numerical results have also been compared with experimental data collected on the field by radar and radiometric systems at L-, X- and Ku- bands.