RADARSAT and JERS-1 backscattering characteristics of the Amazon floodplain habitats along the hydrological cycle

摘要

RADARSAT and JERS-1 images and field data were acquired during hydrological cycle at the Amazon floodplain. The analysis of the satellite data shows that backscattering coefficients have an evident temporal variation. The multi-temporal dynamic range of JERS-1 is higher than that of RADARSAT. RADARSAT shows minimum values (-24 dB) for water in any season as a result of the specular reflection; maximum values, -7dB (aquatic vegetation and flooded forest) and -8db (flooded forest), are observed during the high and low water periods, respectively. For both high and low water periods JERS-1 shows minimum values of-16dB (water) and, in some cases, for aquatic vegetation as well; maximum values, -4dB (flooded forest) and -7dB (flooded forest) are observed for high and low water, respectively. A cluster analysis of the backscattering coefficients suggests that in order to map the floodplain along the hydrological cycle the complementarity of RADARSAT and JERS-1 is crucial.