Radar altimetry backscattering signatures at Ka, Ku, C, and S bands over West Africa
FRAPPART, Frédéric
Géosciences Environnement Toulouse [GET]
Laboratoire d'études en Géophysique et océanographie spatiales [LEGOS]
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Géosciences Environnement Toulouse [GET]
Laboratoire d'études en Géophysique et océanographie spatiales [LEGOS]
FRAPPART, Frédéric
Géosciences Environnement Toulouse [GET]
Laboratoire d'études en Géophysique et océanographie spatiales [LEGOS]
< Reduce
Géosciences Environnement Toulouse [GET]
Laboratoire d'études en Géophysique et océanographie spatiales [LEGOS]
Language
EN
Article de revue
This item was published in
Physics and Chemistry of the Earth. Parts A/B/C. 2015, vol. 83-84, p. 96-110
English Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive comparison of radar altimetry signatures at Ka-, Ku-, C-, and S-bands using SARAL, ENVISAT and Jason-2 data over the major bioclimatic zones, soil and vegetation types encountered in ...Read more >
This study presents a comprehensive comparison of radar altimetry signatures at Ka-, Ku-, C-, and S-bands using SARAL, ENVISAT and Jason-2 data over the major bioclimatic zones, soil and vegetation types encountered in West-Africa, with an emphasis on the new information at Ka-band provided by the recently launched SARAL–Altika mission. Spatio-temporal variations of the radar altimetry responses were related to changes in surface roughness, land cover and soil wetness. Analysis of time series of backscattering coefficients along the West African bioclimatic gradient shows that radar echoes at nadir incidence are well correlated to soil moisture in semi-arid savannah environments. Radar altimeters are able to detect the presence of water even under a dense canopy cover at all frequencies. But only measurements at Ka-band are able to penetrate underneath the canopy of non-inundated tropical evergreen forests.Read less <
English Keywords
RADAR ALTIMETRY
SURFACE PROPERTIES
WEST AFRICA
BACKSCATTERING