Monitoring tropical forests using synthetic aperture radar

Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing systems, its versatility and its applications for environmental monitoring and survey are briefly introduced. Results of experiments conducted at sites of the Tropenbos Foundation in Colombia and Indonesia are shown to illustrate their capabilities. These are: (1) A newly developed technique to derive 3D tree maps from airborne high-resolution interferometric radar images. (2) Land cover change and fire damage monitoring by the ERS SAR satellite. (3) Selection of appropriate radar system specifications for very accurate monitoring processes of deforestation, land and forest degradation, secondary regrowth and land cover change. The information needs for tropical forest areas are very diverse. The use of dedicated airborne radar systems in combination with aerial photography and operational satellite systems would provide a sound basis for efficient acquisition of data in support of prudent future forest management.