Observations and simulations of the ERS wind scatterometer response over a Sahelian region

摘要

ERS-1 wind-scatterometer data acquired over a saharo-sahelian region located in the Gourma (Mali) during the period 1992-1995, are analysed. Experimental observations show that /spl sigma//spl deg/(45/spl deg/) temporal data display a marked seasonality associated with the development and senescence of annual grasses during the rainy seasons. The interpretation of the temporal /spl sigma//spl deg/ plots is performed with the assistance of a semi-empirical backscattering model combined with an ecosystem grassland model. The use of this model allows the total biomass to be estimated with a 33% error.