Modeling SAR backscattering response to coastal inundation

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data are investigated for their potential to detect the presence of inundation in a coastal marsh. Polarimetric SAR data were acquired by the NASA/JPL AIRSAR sensor over the coast of Texas, USA during dry conditions in 1995 and again during wet conditions in 1996. Some environments discernable in the L-band data from 1995 are not discernable in the data from 1996. A microwave scattering model is developed to simulate the SAR response. An increase in the double-bounce component of the model indicates the presence of inundation.