ABoVE provides Level 1 polarimetric radar backscattering coefficient data from the UAVSAR P-band SAR instrument. The dataset contains 139 data takes from flight campaigns conducted between May and August 2017, covering 74 study sites across Alaska and western Canada. Data products are polarimetrically calibrated, multi-look complex, and georeferenced.
Use Cases
- Analyze polarimetric backscatter coefficients (Sigma-0) to estimate above-ground biomass in boreal forests.
- Use multi-look complex data to study surface roughness and soil moisture patterns across tundra sites.
- Leverage the 2-4 repeated data takes per site for temporal change detection in vegetation phenology.
- Apply georeferenced P-band radar data to map permafrost thaw and subsurface features in Arctic regions.
Strengths
- 139 data takes provide multiple observations for many of the 74 study sites
- Data is polarimetrically calibrated and georeferenced for direct geospatial use
- Covers a wide geographic area across Alaska and western Canada
Limitations
- Temporal coverage is limited to a single season (May-August 2017)
- Number of observations per site varies, with some sites having only one data take
- Unknown data volume and file formats may complicate initial access
Provenance
- Source
- NASA UAVSAR P-band SAR instrument, processed by ORNL_CLOUD
- Collection Method
- Airborne data collected via NASA Gulfstream-III aircraft flights
- Time Range
- May 2017 - August 2017
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- 74 study sites across Alaska, USA, and western Canada