合成孔径雷达森林树高和地上生物量估测研究进展

微波遥感具有一定的穿透性,能够与森林内部的散射体发生相互作用,从而获得指示森林垂直方向的参数,被认为在森林垂直结构参数估测方面具有很大的潜力。PolSAR、InSAR、PolInSAR、多基线InSAR以及多基线PolInSAR技术的发展进一步拓展了微波遥感在林业中的应用,为森林垂直结构参数估测提供了可行的解决方案。首先总结了森林垂直结构剖面的层析提取方法;然后重点阐述了林下地形、森林树高以及森林地上生物量的微波遥感估测方法;最后就森林垂直结构参数估测研究中存在的问题及其发展趋势进行了分析。
     

机载X-波段双天线InSAR数据森林树高估测方法

短波长的干涉合成孔径雷达(InSAR)适用于数字表面模型(DSM)提取,但难以提取准确的林下地相位,在缺乏高精度数字高程模型(DEM)的森林区域,短波长InSAR数据估测树高的能力受到限制。针对这一问题,采用机载X-波段单极化(HH)双天线InSAR数据开展了森林树高估测方法研究。双天线InSAR可以忽略时间去相干的影响,并且X-波段波长较短,入射角较大(中心入射角45.77°),地表对干涉去相干的贡献可以忽略,因此可将干涉复相干作为体去相干,对体去相干模型中的结构函数进行勒让德展开,截取第0阶展开式得到了基于相干幅度的森林树高估测模型,利用均匀选取的LiDAR冠层高度模型(CHM)检验样本对估测结果进行严格的精度评价,并与差分法的树高估测结果进行对比。精度评价结果显示:相干幅度法与差分法都得到了较高的估测精度,两者的R~2、RMSE、总精度分别为0.81、0.86;1.20m、0.97m;86.4%、88.7%。研究结果表明:相干幅度与森林树高具有负相关关系,适用于估测树高,基于单极化相干幅度的估测模型也可以得到较高的估测精度,与差分法的估测结果相比,虽然估测精度略有降低,但此方法具有两方面的优势:一方面,估测结果不需要实测样地数据标定,对于没有实测样地数据的森林区域亦能进行高精度的树高估测;另一方面,相干幅度法不需要高精度的DEM,具有更强的实用性。     

林分平均高度卫星遥感新进展

林分平均高度是生态系统模型重要的输入参数之一,与生物量估算与碳循环研究高度相关。通过系统回顾林分平均高度研究的发展历史和最新进展,总结了不同传感器林分平均高度(SAR树高与LiDAR冠层高度)研究的主要模型和方法,通过单一传感器技术进行林分平均高度研究的内在特征的不同,分析了多传感器的区域林分平均高度联合反演方法的优劣性,并从科学发展趋势和社会需求出发,认识目前存在的主要问题与难点及未来面临的挑战和机遇,为今后更好地进行森林垂直结构和全球碳循环研究提供思路和借鉴。     

Forest height estimation based on the RVoG inversion model and the PolInSAR decomposition technique

ABSTRACT

Monitoring the earth’s biosphere is an essential task to understand the global dynamics of ecosystems, biodiversity, and management aspects. Forests, as a natural resource, have an important role to control the climate changes and the carbon cycle. For this reason, biomass and consequently forest height are known as the key information for monitoring the forest and its underlying surface. Several studies have shown that Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging systems can provide an appropriate solution to estimate the biomass and the forest height. In this framework, Polarimetric SAR Interferometry (PolInSAR) technique is an effective tool for forest height estimation, due to its sensitivity to location and vertical distribution of the forest structural components. From one point of view, the employed methods are either based on model-based decomposition techniques or inversion models. In this paper, a method based on the combination of two categories has been proposed. Indeed, introducing a new way of combining the two categories for forest height estimation is the novel contribution of this study. The main motivation is to find directly and simultaneity the volume only and ground only complex coherences using the PolInSAR decomposition technique without the need to any a priori information for improving the forest height estimation procedure in the inversion models such as Random Volume over Ground (RVoG) model. The efficiency of the proposed approach was demonstrated by the E-SAR L-band single baseline PolInSAR data over the Remningstorp test site, in southern Sweden. Moreover, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data were used to evaluate the results. The experimental results showed that the proposed method improved the forest height estimation by 6.86 m.     

一种机载InSAR水体阴影的提取和识别方法

为了解决机载InSAR DEM中水体和阴影区域质量不佳需要区分修复的问题,提出一种综合利用机载InSAR数据源自动提取水体和阴影并加以识别的方法。首先基于InSAR DEM进行粗差点检测,利用粗差点作为种子点在SAR图像中区域生长,提取完整的水体和阴影区域;然后利用沿斜距向高程差和雷达俯角构造约束条件自动识别两者。通过对实测的机载高分辨率InSAR数据进行处理,水体阴影的识别率达到92%以上,其中水体和地形阴影的识别较好,而受制于DEM内在噪声等因素的影响,由树木造成的小块阴影容易造成误分。     

永久散射体雷达干涉研究综述

传统D\|InSAR技术虽然在地表形变测量应用中得到广泛应用,但其测量精度容易受失相干、大气效应、DEM误差等的影响,测量结果有时甚至不可靠。为了突破这些限制,在D\|InSAR技术中引入时间维,筛选出时序SAR图像上受失相干影响较小的像元,建立并解算相位模型,从而提取形变信息。PS\|InSAR技术自出现以来,经过不断改进,在受失相干影响较大的长期缓慢形变监测中发挥了重要作用,一直是近年来雷达干涉领域研究的重点问题。详细梳理了PS\|InSAR技术的发展历史,总结了关键技术环节的改进算法以及应用领域,指出现有PS\|InSAR技术仍然存在的问题以及可能的发展趋势。     

Error analysis and correction for extracting the forest height from airborne C-band interferometric SAR and national elevation datasets

The Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) signal is returned from the canopy of the obscuring trees instead of bare ground when land is covered by forests. Therefore, the difference between an InSAR elevation and a bare earth model might contain information on forest height. The objective of this paper was to investigate if the difference between an airborne C-band InSAR from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and a bare earth model of 1/3 arcsecond National Elevation Datasets can be used for regional forest height estimation. The error sources of vertical offset, uncompensated roll angle, residual vertical bias, and scattering phase centre height conversion were analysed and corrected in this estimation. The results were validated by the least-square linear regression analysis between Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and the estimated height at different forest stand sizes within different slope categories. In areas with slopes less than 5°, the correlation coefficients increased when forest stand sizes increased. In the area of slope ranging from 5 to 10°, a similar trend of increasing correlation coefficients with increasing stand size could also be observed, but with smaller corresponding correlation coefficients than those of slope 0–5°. In areas with slopes larger than 10°, the correlation coefficients were very poor. These results indicate the difference between airborne C-band InSAR and the accurate bare earth model has the potential for regional forest height estimation in flat areas with a minimum unit of 3750–5000 m². However, to accurately estimate forest height in a mountainous terrain a solution must be found to correct the significant amount of noise caused by the terrain in these areas.     

Forest canopy height and carbon estimation at Monks Wood National Nature Reserve, UK, using dual-wavelength SAR interferometry

Forest canopy height is a critical parameter in better quantifying the terrestrial carbon cycle. It can be used to estimate aboveground biomass and carbon pools stored in the vegetation, and predict timber yield for forest management. Polarimetric SAR interferometry (PolInSAR) uses polarimetric separation of scattering phase centers derived from interferometry to estimate canopy height. A limitation of PolInSAR is that it relies on sufficient scattering phase center separation at each pixel to be able to derive accurate forest canopy height estimates. The effect of wavelength-dependent penetration depth into the canopy is known to be strong, and could potentially lead to a better height separation than relying on polarization combinations at one wavelength alone. Here we present a new method for canopy height mapping using dual-wavelength SAR interferometry (InSAR) at X- and L-band. The method is based on the scattering phase center separation at different wavelengths. It involves the generation of a smoothed interpolated terrain elevation model underneath the forest canopy from repeat-pass L-band InSAR data. The terrain model is then used to remove the terrain component from the single-pass X-band interferometric surface height to estimate forest canopy height. The ability of L-band to map terrain height under vegetation relies on sufficient spatial heterogeneity of the density of scattering elements that scatter L-band electromagnetic waves within each resolution cell. The method is demonstrated with airborne X-band VV polarized single-pass and L-band HH polarized repeat-pass SAR interferometry using data acquired by the E-SAR sensor over Monks Wood National Nature Reserve, UK. This is one of the first radar studies of a semi-natural deciduous woodland that exhibits considerable spatial heterogeneity of vegetation type and density. The canopy height model is validated using airborne imaging LIDAR data acquired by the Environment Agency. The rmse of the LIDAR canopy height estimates compared to theodolite data is 2.15 m (relative error 17.6%). The rmse of the dual-wavelength InSAR-derived canopy height model compared to LIDAR is 3.49 m (relative error 28.5%). From the canopy height maps carbon pools are estimated using allometric equations. The results are compared to a field survey of carbon pools and rmse values are presented. The dual-wavelength InSAR method could potentially be delivered from a spaceborne constellation similar to the TerraSAR system.     

星载SAR干涉技术获取DEM及其精度分析

星载合成孔径雷达干涉（InSAR）技术是一种数据覆盖范围广、廉价、高效、方便的数字高程模型（DEM）获取方法,但在地面植被覆盖广、大气水汽含量高的地区其影像相干性随时间基线的增加迅速降低;同时,SAR卫星的轨道误差也影响DEM精度。利用ERS-1/2卫星串行模式SAR数据获取镇江地区DEM,分析了轨道误差对DEM精度的影响;根据干涉相位的统计特性,从理论上给出干涉相位噪声与相干系数和视数之间的关系。实验结果表明就干涉像对的卫星轨道误差和相位噪声而言,在小区域内DEM精度优于3.5 m。     

DEM generation and error analysis using the first Chinese airborne dual-antenna interferometric SAR data

Terrain survey with traditional photogrammetry is often difficult in western China, such as Qingzang tableland at an average height of 5000 m above sea level and the southwest China area with cloudy weather. To resolve western terrain mapping, the first Chinese single-pass airborne Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) system was successfully developed by the Institute of Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IECAS) in 2004. The main objective of this article is to examine and evaluate the performance of the airborne SAR system through interferometric processing and error analysis. First, the article describes how high-precision digital elevation models (DEMs) are derived from the airborne dual-antenna (single-pass) InSAR data. In order to improve the precision, the antenna eccentricity correction and parameter calibration with the least square method (LSM) are proposed. Based on the airborne dual-antenna InSAR bore-sight model, this article summarizes the primary factors that influence the accuracy of DEMs in data processing, and analyses the errors induced by these factors. Then, the global positioning system (GPS)/inertial measurement unit (IMU) data, acquired and stored by the position and orientation system (POS), is used for analysing the quantitative relationships among the platform height, baseline length, baseline angle, look angle and DEM error. The experimental data used are airborne dual-antenna X-band InSAR data, and the measured ground control points (GCPs) are used to validate the accuracy of the DEM. The evaluation results in terms of the standard deviation (SD) and the average mean error (AME) are derived by comparing the reconstructed InSAR DEM with the reference GCPs. The AMEs of the X-direction, the Y-direction and the height are up to 2.078, 9.149 and 1.763 m, respectively. The SDs of the X-direction, the Y-direction and the height are up to ±1.379, ±0.764 and ±1.086 m, respectively. These results agree with the previously calculated quantitative errors. The error value of the Y-direction seems too large, a possible result of system errors. In general, the airborne dual-antenna InSAR system initially meets the requirements of 1:50 000 terrain mapping in western China.     

A new algorithm for forest height estimation based on the varied extinction random volume over ground (VERVoG) model using PolInSAR data

ABSTRACT

This paper examines a simple geometrical method for forest height estimation using single-baseline single frequency polarimetric synthetic aperture radar interferometry (PolInSAR) data. The suggested method estimates the forest biophysical parameters based on the varied extinction random volume over ground (VERVoG) model with top layer extinction greater than zero. We approach the problem using a geometrical method without the need for any auxiliary data or prior information. The biophysical parameters, i.e. top layer extinction value, forest height and extinction gradient are estimated in two separate stages. In this framework, the offset value of the extinction is estimated in an independent procedure as a function of a geometrical index based on the signal penetration in the volume layer. As a result, two remaining biophysical parameters can be calculated in a geometrical way based on the observed volume coherence. The proposed algorithm was evaluated using the L-band PolInSAR data of the European Space Agency (ESA) BioSAR 2007 campaign. A pair of experimental SAR (ESAR) images was acquired over the Remningstorp test site in southern Sweden. The selected images were employed for the performance analysis of the proposed approach in the forest height estimation application based on the VERVoG model. The experimental result shows that the proposed inversion method based on the VERVoG model with top layer extinction greater than zero estimates the volume height with an average root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.08 m against light detection and ranging (LiDAR) heights. It presents a significant improvement of forest height accuracy, i.e. 4.1 m compared to the constant extinction RVoG model result, which ignores the forest heterogeneity in the vertical direction.     

利用星载InSAR技术提取镇江地区DEM及其精度分析

InSAR技术是目前获取高精度数字高程模型（DEM）的一种新方法。为了分析InSAR技术提取DEM的精度,首先介绍了美国航天飞机雷达SRTM DEM的精度和数据结构,然后以江苏镇江地区作为试验区,采用ERS1/2卫星影像来提取DEM,并对星载SAR提取的DEM与SRTM 3弧秒分辨率DEM的精度作了比较。 结果表明,利用星载SAR提取的DEM分辨率与SRTM 3弧秒分辨率的DEM相当,能很好地显示出地形起伏（如山脉、沟谷）的纹理特征。进一步的研究还表明,利用InSAR技术提取DEM的精度与SRTM 3 DEM之间存在5米左右的系统误差,并对产生这一系统误差的原因作了详细分析。     

基于多源多时相遥感影像的山地森林分类决策树模型研究

山地是森林重要的分布区,然而山地多样的森林类型、高度异质化的景观格局、突出的地形效应以及云、雾的干扰均不同程度地影响了山地森林类型的遥感自动制图。多源多时相遥感影像提供的季相节律信息是当前提高土地覆被遥感制图精度的重要信息源之一。以岷江上游地区为研究区,以国产环境减灾卫星多光谱CCD(简称HJ CCD)影像和美国Landsat TM影像为数据源,以决策树为分类方法,根据参与分类影像的时相差异设计了5组对比实验(生长季单时相组、非生长季单时相组、生长季多时相组、非生长季多时相组、全时相组),对比论证多源多时相遥感影像对山地森林类型自动制图的贡献和作用。对比结果表明:生长季和非生长季相结合的多时相遥感影像较单时相或单一类型(生长季或非生长季)多时相遥感影像,更能显著提高山地森林类型自动制图精度,且能降低分类决策树的复杂程度,更有利于山地森林类型的自动提取。     

SRTM DEM enhancement using a single set of PolSAR data based on the polarimetry-clinometry model

ABSTRACT

The freely available global and near-global digital elevation models (DEMs) have shown great potential for various remote sensing applications. The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data sets provide the near-global DEM of the Earth’s surface obtained using the interferometry synthetic aperture radar (InSAR). Although free accessibility and generality are the advantages of these data sets, many applications require more detailed and accurate DEMs. In this paper, we proposed a modified and advanced polarimetry-clinometry algorithm for improving SRTM topography model which requires only one set of polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) data. The azimuth and range slope components estimation based on polarization orientation angle (POA) shifts and the intensity-based Lambertian model formed the bases of the proposed method. This method initially compensated for the polarimetry topography effect corresponding to SRTM using the DEM-derived POA. In the second step, using a modified algorithm, POA was obtained from the compensated PolSAR data. The POA shifts by the azimuth and range slopes’ variations based on the polarimetric model. In addition to the polarimetric model, a clinometry model based on the Lambertian scattering model related to the terrain slope was employed. Next, two unknown parameters, i.e. azimuth and range slope values, were estimated in a system of equations by two models from the compensated PolSAR data. Azimuth and range slopes of SRTM were enhanced by PolSAR-derived slopes. Finally, a weighted least-square grid adjustment (WLSG) method was proposed to integrate the enhanced slopes’ map and estimate enhanced heights. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA JPL) AIRSAR was utilized to illustrate the potential of the proposed method in SRTM enhancement. Also, the InSAR DEM was employed for evaluation experiments. Results showed that the accuracy of SRTM DEM is improved up to 2.91 m in comparison with InSAR DEM.     

Validation of surface height from shuttle radar topography mission using shuttle laser altimeter

Spaceborne Interferometric SAR (InSAR) technology used in the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and spaceborne lidar such as Shuttle Laser Altimeter-02 (SLA-02) are two promising technologies for providing global scale digital elevation models (DEMs). Each type of these systems has limitations that affect the accuracy or extent of coverage. These systems are complementary in developing DEM data. In this study, surface height measured independently by SRTM and SLA-02 was cross-validated. SLA data was first verified by field observations, and examinations of individual lidar waveforms. The geolocation accuracy of the SLA height data sets was examined by checking the correlation between the SLA surface height with SRTM height at 90 m resolution, while shifting the SLA ground track within its specified horizontal errors. It was found that the heights from the two instruments were highly correlated along the SLA ground track, and shifting the positions did not improve the correlation significantly. Absolute surface heights from SRTM and SLA referenced to the same horizontal and vertical datum (World Geodetic System (WGS) 84 Ellipsoid) were compared. The effects of forest cover and surface slope on the height difference were also examined. After removing the forest effect on SRTM height, the mean height difference with SLA-02 was near zero. It can be further inferred from the standard deviation of the height differences that the absolute accuracy of SRTM height at low vegetation area is better than the SRTM mission specifications (16 m). The SRTM height bias caused by forest cover needs to be further examined using future spaceborne lidar (e.g. GLAS) data.     

一种星载InSAR高精度快速DEM重建方法

面对全球干涉测量的海量实测数据,在保持精度的情况下,如何提高处理速度是星载干涉合成孔径雷达(interferometric synthetic aperture radar,InSAR)数据处理必须考虑的重要问题.数字高程模型(digital elevation model,DEM)重建是InSAR数据处理中较为耗时的一个关键环节.针对星载InSAR处理中DEM快速重建的难题,从DEM重建原理出发,分析揭示了干涉相位与目标点三维坐标映射关系的两个基本特性,一是目标点的三维坐标与干涉相位的关系可以分别用多项式来进行拟合,二是SAR图像上相近像素各自对应的多项式变化不大,并从理论上对特性的成立进行了论证.基于此,提出了一种快速DEM重建方法,给出了快速算法的详细步骤及关键参数的取值方法.最后,利用德国最先进的在轨雷达卫星TerraSAR-X获取的重复轨道干涉数据进行快速DEM重建,处理结果表明在重建精度损失较小的情况下,显著提高了重建速度,验证了该方法的高效性和正确性.     

Estimating spruce and pine biomass with interferometric X-band SAR

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of interferometric X-band SAR (InSAR) for inventory of boreal forest biomass. We investigated the relationship between SRTM X-band InSAR height and above-ground biomass in a study area in southern Norway. We generated biomass reference data for each SRTM pixel from a field inventory in combination with airborne laser scanning (ALS). One set of forest inventory plots served for calibrating ALS based biomass models, and another set of field plots was used to validate these models. The biomass values obtained in this way ranged up to 250 t/ha at the stand level. The relationship between biomass and InSAR height was linear, no apparent saturation effect was present, and the accuracy was high (RMSE = 19%). The relationship differed between Norway spruce and Scots pine, where an increase in InSAR height of 1 m corresponded to an increase in biomass of 9.9 and 7.0 t/ha, respectively. Using a high-quality terrain model from ALS enabled biomass to be estimated with a higher accuracy as compared to using a terrain model from topographic maps. Interferometric X-band SAR appears to be a promising method for forest biomass monitoring.     

基于机载InSAR生成DEM技术研究试验

本文描述了机载双天线合成孔径雷达干涉测量数据生成数字高程模型(Digital Elevation Model,DEM)技术,针对机载双天线InSAR数据自动生成DEM的数据处理流程进行试验,主要包括:复图像配准、干涉条纹图滤波、相位解缠、相高转换。本文基于VC++开发了机载InSAR干涉处理原型系统,利用分辨率为2m×2m的机载双天线X波段InSAR数据进行了干涉处理实验,并将生成的DEM和实测的控制点数据进行了对比分析。试验结果证明基于机载双天线InSAR数据生成DEM技术可满足1:50000的精度要求。     

基于波段反射率日均增量的花生干旱灾情遥感评估

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