On the soil roughness parameterization problem in soil moisture retrieval of bare surfaces from synthetic aperture radar

Synthetic Aperture Radar has shown its large potential for retrieving soil moisture maps at regional scales. However, since the backscattered signal is determined by several surface characteristics, the retrieval of soil moisture is an ill-posed problem when using single configuration imagery. Unles...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Verhoest, Niko E. C., Lievens, Hans, Wagner, Wolfgang, Álvarez-Mozos, Jesús, Moran, M. Susan, Mattia, Francesco
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2008
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/10665
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/10665
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Soil roughness
Soil moisture retrieval
Synthetic aperture radar
Uncertainty
Integral equation model
Microwave backscatter dependence
A priori information
Sar data
C band
Polarimetric sar
Agricultural
Fields
Profile meter
Laser scanner
Wet soil
Descripción
Sumario:Synthetic Aperture Radar has shown its large potential for retrieving soil moisture maps at regional scales. However, since the backscattered signal is determined by several surface characteristics, the retrieval of soil moisture is an ill-posed problem when using single configuration imagery. Unless accurate surface roughness parameter values are available, retrieving soil moisture from radar backscatter usually provides inaccurate estimates. The characterization of soil roughness is not fully understood, and a large range of roughness parameter values can be obtained for the same surface when different measurement methodologies are used. In this paper, a literature review is made that summarizes the problems encountered when parameterizing soil roughness as well as the reported impact of the errors made on the retrieved soil moisture. A number of suggestions were made for resolving issues in roughness parameterization and studying the impact of these roughness problems on the soil moisture retrieval accuracy and scale.