The application of ENVISAT ASAR data for rice growth monitoring based on semi-empirical backscattering model

摘要

Most paddy rice in the world grows in warm, humid and rainy environment where it is hard to acquire optical remote sensing data. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) can acquire remote sensing information due to its all weather imaging and frequent revisit capability in the areas. A semi-empirical backscattering model was used to estimate leaf area index (LAI) from ENVISAT ASAR (Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar) data over Zhaoqing in the growing season of rice in south China's Guang Dong province in this study. The results show that ASAR data is capable of estimating rice LAI with certain accuracy and have potential in rice yield estimate.