Early Lessons on Combining Lidar and Multi-baseline SAR Measurements for Forest Structure Characterization

Abstract

The estimation and monitoring of 3D forest structure at large scales strongly rely on the use of remote sensing techniques. Today, two of them are able to provide 3D forest structure estimates: lidar and synthetic\xa0aperture radar (SAR) configurations. The differences in wavelength, imaging geometry, and technical implementation make the measurements provided by the two configurations different and, when it comes to the sensitivity to individual 3D forest structure components, complementary. Accordingly, the potential of combining lidar and SAR measurements toward an improved 3D forest structure estimation has been recognised from the very beginning. However, until today there is no established framework for this combination. This paper attempts to review differences, commonalities, and complementarities of lidar and SAR measurements. First, vertical\xa0lidar reflectance and SAR reflectivity profiles at different wavelengths are compared in different forest types. Then, current perspectives on their combination for the generation of enhanced structure products are discussed. Two promising frameworks for combining lidar and SAR measurements are reviewed. The first one is a model-based framework where lidar-derived parameters are used to initialize SAR scattering models, and relies on both the validity of the models and on the physical equivalence of the used lidar and SAR parameters. The second one is a structure-based framework based on the ability of lidar and SAR measurements to express physical forest structure by means of appropriate indices. These indices can then be used to establish a link between the two kind of\xa0measurements. The review is supported by experimental results achieved using space- and airborne data acquired in recent relevant mission and\xa0campaigns.