Effective tree scattering at L-band

Abstract

This paper investigates tree scattering effects at L-band by using a first-order radiative transfer (RT) model and truck-based measurements of brightness temperature over natural conifer stands to assess the performance of the τ−ω (tau-omega) model, a zero-order RT solution, over forest canopies. The tau-omega model accounts for vegetation effects in terms of “effective” vegetation parameters (single-scattering albedo and vegetation opacity) which represent the canopy as a whole. This approach inherently ignores multiple-scattering effects and it thus has a limited validity depending on the level of scattering within the canopy. The fact that the scattering from large forest components such as branches and trunks is significant at L-band requires that retrieved vegetation parameters be evaluated (compared) with their theoretical definitions to provide better understanding of these parameters in the soil moisture (SM) retrievals over moderately to densely vegetated landscapes. In this paper, the tau-omega model is fitted to a first-order RT model with an “effective” albedo assuming that “effective” vegetation optical depth is same as the “theoretical” opacity [1]. The “effective” albedo is found to be less than half of the “theoretical” one, which is generally around 0.5–0.6 for tree canopies at L-band. The “effective” albedo differs from the albedo of a single forest canopy element and becomes a global parameter which depends on all the processes taking place within the canopy including multiple-scattering and ground reflection.