Modification of a scattering model-based speckle filter applied to coastal environments: an LULC study using PALSAR data

A modified scattering model-based speckle filter (SMBSF) based on the spatial proximity principle was applied to the analysis of phased array type L-band synthetic aperture radar (PALSAR) polarimetric data in the coastal environment of North Carolina, USA. The modified filter preserved polarimetric characteristics and further reduced speckle noise qualitatively and quantitatively. Classification accuracy using the SAR data filtered by the modified filter was improved, especially for the forest class.