C- and L-band SAR interoperability: Filling the gaps in continuous forest cover mapping in Tasmania

This paper addresses the shortfall in L-band SAR data availability for the purpose of extracting spatially explicit information on forest cover, and the capacity to fill the gap using shorter wavelength C-band data. Specifically, comparisons are made of forest/non-forest (F/NF) extent derived from independent classification of ALOS PALSAR and RADARSAT-2 data acquired over Tasmania. Focussing on a temperate forest landscape, it was demonstrated that C-band SAR data can be used interchangeably with L-band data to produce a comparable estimate of forest/non-forest cover. Only partial interoperability is achieved however, given the limitations of dual polarisation C-band SAR in discerning forests of different growth stage and biomass.