3D model simulation of polarimetric radar backscatter and texture of an oil-palm plantation

In this paper, an adaptation of the 3D radar backscatter model of forest canopies (Sun and Ranson 1995) is utilised to simulate high resolution images of polarimetric radar backscatter of oil-palm plantations at different growth stages. The aim of the work is to examine relationships between backscatter and texture and crop status in order to invert the latter from spaceborne SAR data. Individual crowns are modelled as hemispheres. The plants are distributed in a triangular pattern typically found in oil palm plantations. Polarimetric radar backscatter is simulated for the C and L bands at high spatial resolution for a range of growth stages and LAI. Semivariograms are calculated from the high resolution images and the resulting simulated backscatter and 'texture' measures related to canopy properties. Issues of frequency, polarimetry, and spatial resolution are investigated.