The application of multi-frequency SAR and optical satellite data for annual land use inventories in biodiversity conservation (SARabico)

Within the project we investigate the potential of combined X- and C-band multi-polarization, multi-temporal high-resolution satellite radar data (TerraSAR-X, Radarsat-2) and high resolution optical satellite data (RapidEye) for operational annual inventories in open land landscapes. The main research question that will be followed is:
How do high resolution satellite sensors contribute to the detection and monitoring of land use with a focus on annual crops and habitat type in an open land environment?
The aim of the satellite analysis is to find an optimal set of image layers to map and monitor land use types, arable crops and habitat structures with regard to the species specific impacts of land use intensification on species diversity, abundance and community composition.
The detailed objectives are to evaluate the synergy of combined X-/C-Band multi-polarized SAR and optical data for:
(a) annual inventories in open land areas.
(b) the assessment of crop type.
(c) mapping of semi-natural habitats and changes with regard to their species specific functional value for regional biodiversity conservation.

In order to achieve these goals, we will test for an optimal set of combinations of SAR modes and spectral indicators that will be used to simulate a number of data acquisition scenarios related to variations in polarization, frequency, spectral and temporal resolution.

The project is supported by DLR (LAN0901) and CSA (ID5040).