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New satellite techniques for looking at climate change

30 January 2009

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This map of the biomass of Scotland was produced using the polarimetric mode of PALSAR’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) aboard Japan’s ALOS satellite with radar data from April to June 2007. This map marks the first time biomass data has been extracted over a large area using this polarimetric mode.

Credits: JAXA, Forest Research UK

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This aerial photograph and corresponding Touzi Phase image based on Convair 580 radar data of the same area in the Mer Bleu wetlands demonstrates the capability of the polarimetry to detect water levels and distinguish between the different classifications of wetlands.

Credits: Canada Centre for Remote Sensing

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The aerial photograph of Mer Bleu is overlaid with a wetland classification based on five years of forest cover field work, completed by the National Capital Commission of Ottawa. The Touzi Phase image based on Convair 580 radar data of the same area shows that the polarimetry can be used to distinguish between the different classifications of wetlands.

Credits: Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, National Capital Commission of Ottawa

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More than 200 scientists from around the world have attended the weeklong POLinSAR 2009 workshop hosted at ESRIN, ESA’s Earth Observation centre in Frascati, Italy. Discussions among the participants include new polarimetric radar techniques for providing vital information on our planet that could help to combat global warming through carbon accounting, wetland preservation and improve climate models.

Credits: ESA