Using Polarimetric Interferometric Alos/palsar Data to Estimate Stem Volume in the Amazon Region

In the Brazilian Amazon, where the forest sector plays a particularly important role in the economy [1], a better understanding of stem volume distribution is necessary to support those who manage forests for wood production during strategic planning, resource allocation and operational decisions. In addition, international agreements are underway for developing global observation systems to assess changes in forest biomass within countries, particularly tropical regions where deforestation contributes 12% of greenhouse gas emissions. It is part of the agreement on reducing deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). This requires advancing the integration of in situ observations and remote sensing techniques for operational monitoring (GEO Carbon Report 2009), which can be challenging in remote regions.