C-band radar observes water level change in swamp forests

Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union
By: , and 

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Abstract

C-band radar pulses backscatter from the upper canopy of swamp forests, and consequently interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) analysis of C-band imagery has not been exploited to study water level changes in swamp forests. This article explores C-band ERS-1 (European Remote Sensing Satellite) and ERS-2 InSAR data over swamp forests composed of moderately dense trees with a medium-low canopy closure in southeastern Louisiana to measure water level changes beneath tree cover.

Wetlands cover more than 4% of the Earth's land surface and interact with hydrologic, biogeochemical, and sediment transport processes that are fundamental in understanding ecological and climatic changes [Alsdorf et al, 2003; Prigent et al., 2001 ; Melack and Forsberg, 2000;Dunne et al., 1998]. Measurement of water level changes in wetlands, and consequently of changes in water storage capacity, provides a required input for hydrologic models, and is required to comprehensively assess flood hazards [e.g., Coe, 1998].

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title C-band radar observes water level change in swamp forests
Series title Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union
DOI 10.1029/2005EO140002
Volume 86
Issue 14
Year Published 2005
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
Description 4 p.
First page 141
Last page 144
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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