Investigating ALOS PALSAR interferometric coherence in central Siberia at unfrozen and frozen conditions: implications for forest growing stock volume estimation

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of freezing on the properties of the magnitude of the interferometric coherence |γ| in central Siberia and discusses its implications for forest growing stock volume (GSV) estimation in the boreal zone. Eighty-seven acquisitions were employed and approximately 300 interferograms were generated. Accordingly, a high statistical credibility of the obtained results can be presumed. The temporal baselines of the interferograms ranged from 46 days to 2.5 years. The random volume over ground model was applied to support the interpretation of the observations. Compared with unfrozen conditions, we observed increased coherence over open areas, decreased coherence over dense forest, decreased spread of coherence, and improved correlation between |γ| and GSV during a frozen state. At frozen conditions, the experimental data showed no proof that the perpendicular baseline B⊥ impacted |γ| over dense forest, whereas at unfrozen conditions an impact was detected. Consequently, at frozen conditions, the temporal decorrelation was the major source of decorrelation and obstructed the detection of volume decorrelation effects. Nevertheless, |γ| acquired at frozen state exhibits potential for GSV mapping. The relationship between GSV and |γ| can be described with an average coefficient of determination R2 of 0.6. Saturation occurs at about 250 m3/ha.