SAR Handbook: Comprehensive Methodologies for Forest Monitoring and Biomass Estimation

Published: Apr 09 2019

The SAR Handbook: Comprehensive Methodologies for Forest Monitoring and Biomass Estimation is the culmination of a two-year collaboration between NASA SERVIR and SilvaCarbon. Five trainings, led by six SAR subject matter experts, were held at hubs throughout the SERVIR network. The topics of these trainings included SAR basics, SAR for forest change detection, forest height estimation, biomass estimation, mangrove monitoring, and sampling design. Each of these training topics are covered in a SAR Handbook chapter, which includes the theoretical basics and applied exercises. You can download the entire SAR Handbook (PDF) below, or explore individual chapters, trainings and one-pagers.

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Image of the SAR Handbook cover Click the image above to download
the entire SAR Handbook.


Each chapter of the SAR Handbook is divided into a theory section, which discusses the scientific background of the chapter topic; a tutorial section, which provides step-by-step instructions on how to put the theory into practice; and additional tutorial materials, which include data, scripts and slideshows necessary to complete the tutorial.

  Theory Section Step by Step Tutorial Instructions Tutorial Materials
Front Matter: Title Page, Table of Contents, Acknowledgements, Preface, Forward, and About the Editors Front Matter (PDF) N/A N/A
Chapter 1: Introduction and Rationale Chapter 1 Theory (PDF) N/A N/A
Chapter 2: Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar: Principles, Data Access, and Basic Processing Techniques Chapter 2 Theory (PDF) Chapter 2 Tutorial (PDF) Read Me (PDF)
Ch. 2 Data (Data_ch2_E2, ZIP)
Ch. 2 Data (Data_ch2_S1_1, ZIP)
Ch. 2 Data (Data_ch2_S1_2, ZIP)
Ch. 2 Data (Data_ch2_S1_3, ZIP)
Ch. 2 Data (Data_ch2_S1_change)
Ch. 2 Supplemental Materials (ZIP)
Chapter 3: Using SAR Data for Mapping Deforestation and Forest Degradation Chapter 3 Theory (PDF) Chapter 3 Tutorial (PDF) Read Me (PDF)
Chapter 3 Data – West Africa (ZIP)
Chapter 3 Data – HKH (ZIP)
Chapter 3 Scripts (ZIP)
Ch. 3 Supplemental Materials (ZIP)
Chapter 4: Forest Stand
Height Estimation
Chapter 4 Theory (PDF) Chapter 4 Tutorial (PDF) ISCE Example Data
ROI_PAC Example Data
GitHub Scripts
Chapter 5: SAR Methods for Mapping and Monitoring Forest Biomass Chapter 5 Theory (PDF) Chapter 5 Tutorial (PDF) Read Me (PDF)
Chapter 5 Data (ZIP)
Ch. 5 Supplemental Materials (ZIP)
Chapter 6: Radar Remote Sensing of Mangrove Forests  Chapter 6 Theory (PDF)  Chapter 6 Tutorial (PDF) Read Me (PDF)
Chapter 6 Data (ZIP)
Ch. 6 Supplemental Materials (ZIP)
Chapter 7: Sampling Designs for SAR-Assisted Forest Biomass Surveys  Chapter 7 Theory (PDF)  Chapter 7 Tutorial (PDF) Read Me (PDF)
Chapter 7 Data (ZIP)
Chapter 7 Scripts (ZIP)
Ch. 7 Supplemental Materials (ZIP)
Chapter 8: Perspectives on the Future Application of SAR in Forest and Environmental Monitoring  Chapter 8 Theory (PDF) N/A N/A

 

One-page quick reference guides highlight key concepts derived from the SAR Handbook.

Screenshot of SAR Data Access PDF
Click image above to download.
Screenshot of SAR Vegetation Indices PDF
Click image above to download.
Screenshot of SAR Data Processing Steps PDF
Click image above to download.

 

 

Screenshot of SAR & Estimating Forest Stand Height PDF
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Screenshot of SAR Backscatter & Forest Type PDF
Click image above to download.

Tags
|Global |East Africa |Himalaya |Mekong |West Africa |Amazonia |Training Module |Ecosystems |Sustainable Landscapes |ShowOnHome

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