Relating the microwave backscattering coefficient to leaf area index

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between the microwave backscattering coefficient of a vegetation canopy, σcan0, and the canopy's leaf area index (LAI). The relationship is established through the development of one model for corn and sorghum and another for wheat. Both models are extensions of the cloud model of Attema and Ulaby (1978). Analysis of experimental data measured at 8.6, 13.0, 17.0, and 35.6 GHz indicates that most of the temporal variations of σcan0 can be accounted for through variations in green LAI alone, if the latter is greater than 0.5.