Rice biomass retrieval from multitemporal ground-based scatterometer data and RADARSAT-2 images using neural networks

A neural network (NN) algorithm to invert biomass of rice plants using quad-polarization radar datasets of ground-based scatterometer and spaceborne RADARSAT-2 has been studied. The NN is trained with pairs of multipolarization radar backscattering and biomass data. The backscattering data are simulated from a Monte Carlo backscatter model that uses the outputs from a growth model of the rice plant. The growth model is developed from the plant data collected in growing cycles of several years. In addition to producing parameters needed by the backscatter model, the growth model outputs the biomass value of the plant. Multipolarization data collected by a ground-based scatterometer at eight stages during the 2012 growing cycle are input to the NN to invert biomass. Satisfactory results are obtained due to a small root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.477 kg∕m and a high correlation coefficient of 0.989 when the inverted and measured biomass values are compared. Finally, RADARSAT-2 synthetic aperture radar images acquired on four different dates during the 2012 growth period are analyzed to delineate rice paddies within the study area and to invert biomass using the NN. Inversion results from the delineated rice paddies are encouraging because the RMSE is 0.582 kg∕m and correlation coefficient is 0.983. © 2013 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) [DOI: 10.1117/1.JRS.7.073509]