Using Mimics To Model L-band Multiangle and Multitemporal Backscatter From A Walnut Orchard

• Published in: IEEE transactions on geoscience and remote sensing 1990-07, Vol.28 (4), p.477-491
• Main Authors: Mcdonald, K.C., Dobson, M.C., Ulaby, F.T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Backscatter; Dielectric constant; Irrigation; L-band; Nonuniform electric fields; Predictive models; Radar measurements; Radar scattering; Soil; Vegetation
• ISSN: 0196-2892; 1558-0644
• DOI: 10.1109/TGRS.1990.572925

The Michigan microwave canopy scattering model (MIMICS) is used to model microwave scatterometer data obtained during the August 1987 Eos Simultaneity Experiment. During the experiment, truck-based scatterometers were used to measure radar backscatter from a walnut orchard in Fresno County, CA. Multipolarized data were recorded for orchard plots of varying irrigation levels. MIMICS, a scattering model based on radiative transfer theory, is applied to model two data sets recorded during the experiment. Results of the modeling analysis exhibit good agreement with the measured data. Predictions for like- and cross-polarization backscatter configurations are found to be consistent with the scatterometer data, even though no free parameters have been used in the modeling analysis. MIMICS is shown to account for variations in canopy backscatter driven by changes in canopy state that occur both diurnally and on longer timescales. The utility of using remotely sensed data for observing changes in plant and soil water status is demonstrated. (I.E.)