Study of seasonal evolution of tree emission using zenith-looking microwave radiometers

Abstract

The seasonal evolution of microwave emission of different species of deciduous and coniferous trees was studied using ground-based zenith-looking radiometers at 1.4 GHz and 9.5 GHz. The tree brightness temperature follows the annual cycle in phase with growth and loss of leaves. The X-band radiometric data are more sensitive to the changes in leaf volume and leaf water content.