An empirical approach to estimating leaf area index from multifrequency SAR data

An empirical approach for estimating leaf area index from multifrequency SAR data is presented. The analysis of multifrequency-multipolarization SAR data, collected over agricultural fields revealed a correlation between the L -band backscattering coefficient and the leaf area index of certain types of crops. Since the C - and P -bands are also sensitive to vegetation biomass, the backscattering coefficient at P -, L - and C -bands has been related to a volumetric leaf area index (i.e., the leaf area index multiplied by the average leaf thickness) normalized to the wave number. This relationship has been used to estimate the leaf area index from multifrequency SAR data.