Retrieval Of Field-Scale Soil Moisture Using Compact Polarimetry: Preparing For The Radarsat-Constellation

In preparation for Canada's launch of the RADARSAT-Constellation, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada examined whether Compact Polarimetry (CP) would be suitable for estimation of surface soil moisture. In this study, CP RH and RV intensities were simulated from RADARSAT-2 Quad Pol data. A simple transfer function was developed between RH and HH intensity, as well as RV and VV. These HH- and VV-like intensities were then used with the Integral Equation Model to estimate soil moisture. These retrievals were validated against in situ networks, demonstrating the potential that RCM CP is likely to present for soil moisture monitoring.