Temporal and Environmental Variation as Factors in SAR Detection of Urban Coastal Land Cover

摘要

Monitoring wetland and adjacent upland land cover and land cover change in rapidly changing urban coastal environments is essential for effective resource management. This research examined the potential of SAR as a single sensor and as a contributor to multi-sensor combinations in mapping such areas. Radarsat fine mode imagery acquired in three parts of the growing season were used to assess temporal and environmental parameters. The two study areas, located on Long Island, New York provided examples of ecosystems at two stages along the rural-urban transition continuum. Four wetland and seven upland land cover types were digitally classified. The preferred month and benefits of a three-date composite varied across land cover type and study area. The mixed picture of SAR land cover mapping capability and sources of confusion and differences are discussed.