Course description
Synthetic Aperture Radar: Ecosystems
Remote sensing observations have become an essential tool in observing the state and evolution of the earth’s ecosystems. They are a unique means to gain an immediate and regional- to continental-scale view of the earth environment, allowing for the monitoring of entire biomes and their changes with time.
This course will introduce you to Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a remote sensing technology that can see the ground even during darkness and through rain, clouds, or smoke. As a participant in this course, you will learn how the weather-independence of SAR combined with its ability to penetrate into vegetation canopies make SAR an excellent information source to characterize vegetation structure, measure above-ground biomass, and analyze the change of vegetation long term and throughout the seasons. Each SAR ecosystem application will be illustrated with relevant data sets and hands-on exercises. Specific topics include:
- The concepts and principles of SAR and polarimetric SAR
- How to access and visualize SAR data
- Interpretation of SAR images at different wavelengths and polarizations in the context of ecosystems monitoring
- The use of SAR in monitoring forest degradation
- Techniques for estimating forest biomass from SAR
- The application of SAR to the monitoring of agriculture extent
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Prerequisites
- General proficiency in GIS
- For verified track: Basic knowledge in Python programming
- ARSET Level-0 Training “Fundamentals of Remote Sensing” or equivalent
- ARSET Level-1 Training “Introduction to Synthetic Aperture Radar” or equivalent
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you'll learn
Participants in this course will develop the following skills:
- Intuitive understanding of SAR images and polarimetric SAR
- Understanding the role of wavelength and signal polarization when applying SAR to the monitoring of ecosystems
- Use SAR data to map and monitor agriculture extent
- Apply SAR to map and assess forest degradation activities
- Techniques to measure above-ground forest biomass from spaceborne SAR observations.
Training Course Content
- Contribution of SAR to Monitoring forests
- SAR for Agriculture Monitoring
- Forest Degradation / Deforestation using SAR remote sensing
- Biomass estimation using SAR
Course delivery details
This course is offered through University of Alaska Fairbanks, a partner institute of EdX.
4-6 hours per week
Expenses
- Verified Track -$179
- Audit Track - Free