Improved parameterization of water cloud model for hybrid-polarized backscatter simulation using interaction factor

The prime aim of this study was to assess the potential of semi-empirical water cloud model (WCM) in simulating hybrid-polarized SAR backscatter signatures (RH and RV) retrieved from RISAT-1 data and integrate the results into a graphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate easy comprehension and interpretation. A predominant agricultural wheat growing area was selected in Mathura and Bharatpur districts located in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively to carry out the study. The three-date datasets were acquired covering the crucial growth stages of the wheat crop. In synchrony, the fieldwork was organized to measure crop/soil parameters. The RH and RV backscattering coefficient images were extracted from the SAR data for all the three dates. The effect of four combinations of vegetation descriptors (V1 and V2) viz., LAI-LAI, LAI-Plant water content (PWC), Leaf water area index (LWAI)-LWAI, and LAI-Interaction factor (IF) on the total RH and RV backscatter was analyzed. The results revealed that WCM calibrated with LAI and IF as the two vegetation descriptors simulated the total RH and RV backscatter values with highest R2 of 0.90 and 0.85 while the RMSE was lowest among the other tested models (1.18 and 1.25 dB, respectively). The theoretical considerations and interpretations have been discussed and examined in the paper. The novelty of this work emanates from the fact that it is a first step towards the modeling of hybrid-polarized backscatter data using an accurately parameterized semi-empirical approach.