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Radar Theory Applied to Reconnaissance Soil Surveys
Author(s) -
Morain S. A.,
Campbell J. B.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1974.03615995003800050035x
Subject(s) - remote sensing , terrain , radar , radar imaging , interpretation (philosophy) , geology , computer science , environmental science , geography , cartography , telecommunications , programming language
This paper describes the use of radar imagery as a base for reconnaissance soil surveys. Attention is focused on the interpretation of tone patterns as resultants of microwave interactions with terrain. The tone appearance of soils and associated landscape features is governed in large part by surface roughness, moisture content, system resolution and viewing angle. These factors are reviewed in both theoretical and applied terms. For cartographic purposes the resolution of existing imaging radar systems appears adequate for reconnaissance surveys. For interpreting soil attributes, however, both resolution and viewing angle are important considerations. Images from arid and humid environments are interpreted as examples of the application of radar theory to reconnaissance mapping. As with photo interpretation, most soil information is obtained by using a combination of radar reflectance theory and landscape inference. Once the theory is understood, however, radar imagery can offer advantages over black and white photography in terms of timeliness and scale of coverage.