Modeling Forest Emissivity at L-Band
and a Comparison With Multitemporal Measurements

A. Della Vecchia, P. Ferrazzoli, J.-P. Wigneron, and J. P. Grant

Abstract

This letter describes recent advances in modeling forest emissivity at L-band. The formulation is based on a previously developed discrete model and includes a new representation of forest litter. Comparisons with multitemporal radiometric data collected in the framework of the “Bray 2004” experiment, which was carried out within Les Landes forest, are shown and discussed. Input variables are given by using detailed ground measurements. In general, the model reproduces both absolute values and temporal variations of measured brightness temperature. The contribution of the litter to overall emission was found to be important.

Index Terms—Forests, litter, microwave radiometry, soil moisture

Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/LGRS.2007.900687

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