Détection de Milieux Bâtis à l'Aide d'Images Radar à Synthèse d'Ouverture

Abstract

COSMO-SkyMed and Radarsat-2 synthetic aperture radar images were used to derive a numerical variable that is related to the proportion of built features in cities and rural environments. The local asymmetry of the backscattering value distributions is quantified for representing the change occurring due to the relative amount of built-up. Correlation of the proposed asymmetry variable is consistently positive in relation to the proportion of built-up land cover described according to four categories. The correlation assessments indicate the successful use of COSMO-SkyMed images acquired from 18.3° and 38.6° incidence angles. A moderate correlation was obtained for the Radarsat-2–derived asymmetry images. The asymmetry variable is likely to help estimate the population of small communities. The analysis results are validated using a sampling of 25 ha unit areas. The case study is provided for regions in Italy and Eastern Canada as part of the projects ISA-2875 and SOARASI-5252.