On the sensitivity of polarimetric SAR measurements to vegetation cover: the Coiba National Park, Panama

Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements significantly enhance vegetation cover classification accuracy, outperforming single-polarization and optical data. A study conducted at the UNESCO-listed Coiba National Park, Panama, demonstrated that polarimetric features derived from L-band SAR data improved land-cover mapping precision when compared to conventional methods. Classification performance varied notably with incidence angles, underscoring the importance of integrating multiple radar features for optimal results. This finding highlights the potential of polarimetric SAR in environmental monitoring and conservation efforts.

Sarti, M., Migliaccio, M., Nunziata, F., Mascolo, L., & Brugnoli, E. (2017). On the sensitivity of polarimetric SAR measurements to vegetation cover: the Coiba National Park, Panama. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 38(23), 6755–6768. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2017.1363439