The potential of multifrequency SAR images for estimating forest biomass in Mediterranean areas

The extraction of forest information from SAR images is particularly complex in Mediterranean areas, since they are characterized by high spatial fragmentation and heterogeneity. We have investigated the use of multi-frequency SAR data from different sensors (ALOS/PALSAR and ENVISAT/ASAR) for estimating forest biomass in two test areas in Central Italy (San Rossore and Molise), where detailed in-situ measurements and Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data were available. The study focused on the estimation of growing stock volume (GS, in m3/ha) by using an inversion algorithm based on artificial neural networks (ANN). The ANN algorithm was first appropriately trained using the available GS estimates obtained from ALS data. The potential of this algorithm was then improved through the innovative use of a simulated dataset, generated by a forward electromagnetic model based on the Radiative Transfer Theory (RTT). The algorithm is able to merge SAR data at L and C bands for predicting GS in diversified Mediterranean environments. The performed analyses indicated that GS was correctly estimated by integrating information from L and C bands on both test areas, with the following statistics: R>0.97 and RMSE=28.5m3/ha for the independent test, and R=0.86 and RMSE≈77m3/ha for the final independent validation, the latter performed on the forest stands of both areas not included in the ALS acquisitions and where conventional measurements were available. The research then illustrates the potential of using the obtained GS estimates from SAR data to drive the simulations of forest net primary production (NPP). This experiment produced spatially explicit estimates of GS current annual increments that are slightly less accurate than those obtained from ground observations (R=0.75 and RMSE≈1.5m3/ha/year). •An inversion algorithm based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN)•Innovative ANN training procedure using a radiative transfer model•Accurate prediction of forest biomass on different species by using L and C band SAR data only•New unique inversion algorithm working in different heterogeneous Mediterranean areas•Forest biomass estimates used to drive the simulation of net primary production (NPP)