Application of Multifrequency (MF) SAR Images in Hydrology

Although various forms of remote sensing have been used extensively for several decades, it is only recently that, through the development of new instruments and techniques, the versatility and potential of microwave remote sensing for the qualitative and quantitative measurements of hydrological processes have shown consistent improvements. Particularly, Multifrequency (MF), Multipolarization (MP), Multi-incidence Angles (MA) SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) systems provided for EOS (Earth Observation System) polar platforms will open new applicative horizons in the study of hydrological processes over large areas in a wide range of environmental conditions. Decisive contributions to applicative perspectives and system requirements have come out of international experimental activities carried out in the last decade, and from multidisciplinary evaluation of the collected data. SAR campaigns planned for the next few years, and further evaluation of SAR images to match quantitative estimations required for hydrological process-based modeling are discussed.