An Improved Forest Height Model Using L-Band Single-Baseline Polarimetric InSAR Data for Various Forest Densities

Forest density affects the inversion of forest height by influencing the penetration and attenuation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) signals. Traditional forest height inversion methods often fail in low-density forest areas. Based on L-band single-baseline polarimetric SAR interferometry (PolInSA...

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Main Authors: Ao Sui, Opelele Omeno Michel, Yu Mao, Wenyi Fan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-12-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/1/81
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author Ao Sui
Opelele Omeno Michel
Yu Mao
Wenyi Fan
author_facet Ao Sui
Opelele Omeno Michel
Yu Mao
Wenyi Fan
author_sort Ao Sui
collection DOAJ
description Forest density affects the inversion of forest height by influencing the penetration and attenuation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) signals. Traditional forest height inversion methods often fail in low-density forest areas. Based on L-band single-baseline polarimetric SAR interferometry (PolInSAR) simulation data and the BioSAR 2008 data, we proposed a forest height optimization model at the stand scale suitable for various forest densities. This optimization model took into account shortcomings of the three-stage inversion method by employing height errors to represent the mean penetration depth and SINC inversion method. The relationships between forest density and extinction coefficient, penetration depth, phase, and magnitude were also discussed. In the simulated data, the inversion height established by the optimization method was 17.35 m, while the RMSE value was 3.01 m when the forest density was 100 stems/ha. This addressed the drawbacks of the conventional techniques including failing at low forest density. In the real data, the maximum RMSE of the optimization method was 2.17 m as the stand density increased from 628.66 stems/ha to 1330.54 stems/ha, showing the effectiveness and robustness of the optimization model in overcoming the influence of stand density on the inversion process in realistic scenarios. This study overcame the stand density restriction on L-band single baseline PolInSAR data for forest height estimation and offered a reference for algorithm selection and optimization. The technique is expected to be extended from the stand scale to a larger area for forest ecosystem monitoring and management.
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spelling doaj.art-7549497d5f684902b5aab84d41831cb52023-12-02T00:50:50ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922022-12-011518110.3390/rs15010081An Improved Forest Height Model Using L-Band Single-Baseline Polarimetric InSAR Data for Various Forest DensitiesAo Sui0Opelele Omeno Michel1Yu Mao2Wenyi Fan3Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management—Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaDepartment of Natural Resources Management, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 117, Democratic Republic of the CongoInternational Institute for Earth System Sciences, School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management—Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaForest density affects the inversion of forest height by influencing the penetration and attenuation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) signals. Traditional forest height inversion methods often fail in low-density forest areas. Based on L-band single-baseline polarimetric SAR interferometry (PolInSAR) simulation data and the BioSAR 2008 data, we proposed a forest height optimization model at the stand scale suitable for various forest densities. This optimization model took into account shortcomings of the three-stage inversion method by employing height errors to represent the mean penetration depth and SINC inversion method. The relationships between forest density and extinction coefficient, penetration depth, phase, and magnitude were also discussed. In the simulated data, the inversion height established by the optimization method was 17.35 m, while the RMSE value was 3.01 m when the forest density was 100 stems/ha. This addressed the drawbacks of the conventional techniques including failing at low forest density. In the real data, the maximum RMSE of the optimization method was 2.17 m as the stand density increased from 628.66 stems/ha to 1330.54 stems/ha, showing the effectiveness and robustness of the optimization model in overcoming the influence of stand density on the inversion process in realistic scenarios. This study overcame the stand density restriction on L-band single baseline PolInSAR data for forest height estimation and offered a reference for algorithm selection and optimization. The technique is expected to be extended from the stand scale to a larger area for forest ecosystem monitoring and management.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/1/81L-band PolInSARRVoG modelforest heightthree-stage inversion methodforest densityterrain slope
spellingShingle Ao Sui
Opelele Omeno Michel
Yu Mao
Wenyi Fan
An Improved Forest Height Model Using L-Band Single-Baseline Polarimetric InSAR Data for Various Forest Densities
Remote Sensing
L-band PolInSAR
RVoG model
forest height
three-stage inversion method
forest density
terrain slope
title An Improved Forest Height Model Using L-Band Single-Baseline Polarimetric InSAR Data for Various Forest Densities
title_full An Improved Forest Height Model Using L-Band Single-Baseline Polarimetric InSAR Data for Various Forest Densities
title_fullStr An Improved Forest Height Model Using L-Band Single-Baseline Polarimetric InSAR Data for Various Forest Densities
title_full_unstemmed An Improved Forest Height Model Using L-Band Single-Baseline Polarimetric InSAR Data for Various Forest Densities
title_short An Improved Forest Height Model Using L-Band Single-Baseline Polarimetric InSAR Data for Various Forest Densities
title_sort improved forest height model using l band single baseline polarimetric insar data for various forest densities
topic L-band PolInSAR
RVoG model
forest height
three-stage inversion method
forest density
terrain slope
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/1/81
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