Articles | Volume 11, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-483-2017
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-483-2017
Research article
 | 
10 Feb 2017
Research article |  | 10 Feb 2017

Active-layer thickness estimation from X-band SAR backscatter intensity

Barbara Widhalm, Annett Bartsch, Marina Leibman, and Artem Khomutov

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Cited articles

Antonova, S., Kääb, A., Heim, B., Langer, M., and Boike, J.: Spatio-temporal variability of X-band radar backscatter and coherence over the Lena River Delta, Siberia, Remote Sens. Environ., 182, 169–191, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2016.05.003, Remote Sens. Environ., 2016.
Bartsch, A., Höfler, A., Kroisleitner, C., and Trofaier, A. M.: Land Cover Mapping in Northern High Latitude Permafrost Regions with Satellite Data: Achievements and Remaining Challenges, 8, 979, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs8120979, 2016.
Beck, I., Ludwig, R., Bernier, M., Strozzi, T., and Boike, J.: Vertical movements of frost mounds in subarctic permafrost regions analyzed using geodetic survey and satellite interferometry, Earth Surf. Dynam., 3, 409–421, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-3-409-2015, 2015.
Blok, D., Heijmans, M. M. P. D., Schaepman-Strub, G., Kononov, A. V., Maximov, T. C., and Berendse, F.: Shrub expansion may reduce summer permafrost thaw in Siberian tundra, Glob. Change Biol., 16, 1296–1305, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.02110.x, 2010.
Bratsch, S., Epstein, H., Buchhorn, M., and Walker, D.: Differentiating among Four Arctic Tundra Plant Communities at Ivotuk, Alaska Using Field Spectroscopy, Remote Sensing, 8, 51, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs8010051, 2016.
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Short summary
The active layer above the permafrost, which seasonally thaws during summer, is an important parameter for monitoring the state of permafrost. Its thickness is typically measured locally. The relationship between active-layer thickness (ALT) and X-band SAR backscatter of TerraSAR-X has been investigated in order to explore the possibility of delineating ALT with continuous and larger spatial coverage.
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