Development and evaluation of techniques for using combined microwave and optical image data for vegetation studies

Techniques for using combined image data from the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B) and the LANDSAT Thematic Mapper (TM) or Multispectral Scanner (MSS) for studies of irrigated crops, and boreal and deciduous forests are developed and evaluated. The effects of the structure and composition of crop canopies and soil surfaces on multiangle L-band HH (Horizontal polarization for transmission and reception) backscattering and on optical reflectance (in TM or MSS bands viewed at the nadir) are investigated. The relative accuracy of digital, calibrated SIR-B image data and LANDSAT TM or MSS image data is evaluated. Textural information extraction-techniques are developed for radar and optical image analysis.