SAR polarimetric analysis for major land covers including pre-monsoon crops

The potential of single date fully polarimetric SAR data was brought out in discriminating different land covers at level 3 (LULC classification system NRSC) by deriving various polarimetric parameters. Various coherent and incoherent decompositions viz. Krogager, Freeman–Durden, Yamaguchi, Van Zyl, H-A-Alpha were analyzed to evaluate its potential for crop identification. Freeman-3 decomposition overestimates the volume component predominantly for high biomass crops but is sensitive across variable range of biomass. Van Zyl decomposition was not found suitable for crop studies as it overestimates surface scattering by underestimating volume scattering from canopy structure. The differencing method using various decomposition conveyed dynamic response for various crops over the individual response. The Entropy-Alpha scatter plot exhibits its capability in discriminating various land covers. Further, polarimetric signature resulted in unique response for various land covers that can be exploited for their identification. High pedestal heights were observed for high biomass crops and vice-versa.