]JERS-1 SAR data in forest biomass mapping in northern taiga zone

Forest biomass mapping was studied in a site in northern Finland (latitude 66°). Two JERS SAR scenes that were acquired in a dry period were used. Locally derived linear regression models between forest stem volume and L-band SAR amplitude produced correlation coefficients of 0.7. An earlier regression model, which had been derived in a site in southern Finland, produced under-estimates of approximately 50 m
³
/ha in a study site where stem volume varied between 0 and 220 m
³
/ha.