Examples of Thematic Mapping with Ers-envisat Tandem Cross-interferometry

This paper deals with some aspects of thematic mapping using ERS-Envisat Tandem (EET) cross-interferometry (CInSAR). The long baseline of EET CInSAR and the short temporal baseline are in theory suitable for establishing a certain sensitivity of coherence and InSAR phase upon vegetation parameters. Here we show signatures of coherence and InSAR phase for maize fields in Switzerland, and clear-cuts and forest stem volume in Sweden. Both coherence and InSAR phase show sensitivity to vegetation height. By means of the Interferometric Water Cloud Model (IWCM) it is possible to describe the measurements by assuming a weak attenuation and low temporal decorrelation. Clearcuts show higher coherence than mature forests, although strong spatial decorrelation occurs in case of sloped terrain, not correctly accounted for when applying the common-band filter in interferometric processing. Coherence presents a certain sensitivity to stem volume, but only for flat terrain. The IWCM could describe the trend in the measurements reasonably well.