<title>Simulation of microwave backscatter from a red pine stand</title>

Abstract

The modeling of microwave backscatter from forests is considered. A simulation is implemented where every tree is viewed as a collection of cylindrical segments whose size and position are known. The total backscatter is then computed by adding the scattered field from each segment. The calculations are carried out using red pine tree data, provided by R. Landry of the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing. By using a surveying instrument, he has generated the coordinates for all segments of a typical red pine tree. The simulation accounts for trunk and branch curvature and tapering which are not usually included in the statistical approach. In addition, array effects at the level of first order scattering are accounted for. The calculations are performed at P band where multiple scattering contributions should be small.