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Franz Meyer and Africa Flores-Anderson

Remote sensing observations have become an essential tool in observing the state and evolution of the earth’s ecosystems. They are a unique means within earth sciences to gain an immediate and regional- to continental-scale view of the earth environment, allowing for the monitoring and change detection of entire biomes over time.

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Remote sensing observations have become an essential tool in observing the state and evolution of the earth’s ecosystems. They are a unique means within earth sciences to gain an immediate and regional- to continental-scale view of the earth environment, allowing for the monitoring and change detection of entire biomes over time.

This course will introduce you to Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a remote sensing technology that can see the earth surface even during darkness and through rain, clouds, or smoke. As a participant in this course, you will learn how the weather-independence of SAR combined with its ability to penetrate into vegetation canopies make SAR an excellent information source to characterize vegetation structure, measure above-ground biomass, and analyze the change of vegetation long term and throughout the seasons. Each SAR ecosystem application will be illustrated with relevant data sets and hands-on exercises. Specific topics include:

  • The concepts and principles of SAR and polarimetric SAR
  • How to access and visualize SAR data and SAR imagery
  • Interpretation of SAR images at different wavelengths and polarizations in the context of ecosystems monitoring
  • The use of SAR techniques in monitoring forest degradation
  • Techniques for estimating forest biomass through SAR earth observation
  • The application of SAR to the monitoring of agriculture extent
  • The learned concepts will be put into action in using SAR time series data sets from spaceborne SAR missions over agriculture sites and forested regions undergoing degradation. Learners registered for the verified track will additionally get the opportunity for hands-on lab exercises and tutorials using Jupyter Notebooks. The verified track will also include peer discussions and a verified certificate upon successful completion.

This course is produced by the Alaska Satellite Facility at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which has been selected as the NASA data hub for the upcoming NISAR mission.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Intuitive understanding of sar images and polarimetric sar
  • Understanding the role of wavelength and signal polarization when applying sar to the monitoring of ecosystems
  • Use sar data to map and monitor agriculture extent
  • Apply sar to map and assess forest degradation activities
  • Techniques to measure above-ground forest biomass from spaceborne sar observations.
  • Participants in this course will develop the following skills:

Syllabus

Week 1: Contribution of SAR to Monitoring forests
This first section will provide an overview of the capabilities of SAR. We will discuss how using the SAR backscatter power can create images of the surface at all weather conditions and during night and day. We will discuss how different SAR signals can penetrate through vegetation to reveal what's beneath.
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We will also discuss how we can use the polarimetric capabilities of SAR to analyze vegetation covers, agriculture, and above-ground biomass.
Introduce yourself and join the SAR course learning community
Overview basic principles of imaging radar
Look at polarimetric radar for ecosystem applications
The contribution of SAR to forest monitoring
Week 2: SAR for Agriculture Monitoring
Radar backscatter from crops
SAR signatures of selected crops
Picking the optimal sensor wavelength
Mapping crop area extent using SAR
Week 3: Forest Degradation / Deforestation using SAR remote sensing
Forest degradation and deforestation
Forest change examples
Introduction to Google Earth engine
Lab: Mapping Deforestation (open to audit track)
Lab: SAR Point Time Series Over Deforestation Sites (verified track only)
Week 4: Biomass estimation using SAR
SAR-based biomass estimation
SAR processing steps for biomass estimation
SAR biomass estimation algorithms

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines the use of SAR for forest monitoring, which may appeal to foresters and land managers
Taught by Franz Meyer and Africa Flores-Anderson, who are recognized for their work in SAR ecosystem applications
Develops skills and knowledge relevant to monitoring agriculture extent and forest degradation
Explores how SAR techniques can be used for above-ground biomass estimation, which is useful for carbon accounting and forest management
Includes labs and tutorials using Jupyter Notebooks, which provide opportunities for hands-on practice
Assumes a working knowledge of remote sensing principles, which may not be suitable for complete beginners

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Synthetic Aperture Radar: Ecosystems with these activities:
Familiarize yourself with basics of image processing
Get acquainted with fundamentals of image processing to enhance understanding of SAR images
Browse courses on Image Processing
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  • Revisit introductory materials on digital image processing
  • Practice basic image processing operations
Review Electromagnetic Waves
The concepts in this course hinge on understanding the physics principles of electromagnetic waves. Review what you already know and identify areas where you may need to put in more preparatory work.
Browse courses on Electromagnetic waves
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  • Review the characteristics and properties of electromagnetic waves.
  • Go over their generation, propagation, and reception concepts.
  • Solve practice problems involving electromagnetic waves.
Learn the basics of remote sensing
Gain foundational understanding of remote sensing concepts to support learning in this course
Browse courses on Remote Sensing
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  • Follow tutorials on remote sensing principles and applications
  • Explore online resources and materials
12 other activities
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Review basic concepts of SAR
Prepare yourself for the unique challenges of this course by reviewing the foundational concepts of SAR and its principles.
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  • Start by reviewing resources from reputable sources like online tutorials or textbooks to understand the fundamental concepts of SAR.
  • Next, go through the course syllabus and make a list of key concepts that you're not familiar with.
  • Search for additional resources on those specific topics to gain a deeper understanding.
Discussion Forum Participation
Engaging in discussions with peers will help clarify your understanding of SAR concepts and their applications. You'll gain diverse perspectives and enhance your critical thinking skills.
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  • Actively participate in the course discussion forums.
  • Ask thoughtful questions and provide insightful responses.
  • Engage with classmates' ideas and perspectives.
Join study groups and discussions
Engage with peers to enhance understanding, exchange ideas, and learn from diverse perspectives
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  • Identify relevant online or offline study groups
  • Actively participate in discussions
Earth Observation Simulator
To fully understand the applications of SAR, it's helpful to conduct your own experiments using real-world datasets. This will help you grasp the principles and techniques used in SAR-based ecosystem monitoring.
Browse courses on Earth Observation
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  • Choose a region of interest and identify the environmental variables you want to monitor.
  • Acquire SAR data for the region from publicly accessible databases.
  • Preprocess and analyze the SAR data using open-source tools.
  • Interpret the results and draw conclusions about the environmental variables you're monitoring.
Complete practice exercises on SAR image interpretation
Develop practical skills in interpreting and analyzing SAR images
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  • Access online or offline practice exercises
  • Work through exercises to improve image interpretation skills
Practice SAR image interpretation
Improve your ability to extract meaningful information from SAR images by engaging in regular practice.
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  • Visit the Alaska Satellite Facility website and download a set of SAR images.
  • Use image processing software to load the images and familiarize yourself with the interface.
  • Start by identifying different features in the images, such as forests, water bodies, and urban areas.
  • As you gain confidence, try to interpret more complex patterns and relationships within the images.
Contribute to an online discussion forum
Reinforce your knowledge by answering questions and engaging in discussions related to SAR.
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  • Join an online discussion forum or community dedicated to SAR.
  • Actively participate in discussions by answering questions and sharing your insights.
  • Offer help or guidance to other members of the community.
SAR Image Interpretation Exercises
Regularly practicing SAR image interpretation will sharpen your skills in identifying and analyzing different features in SAR images. This is essential for effective ecosystem monitoring using SAR.
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  • Obtain a set of SAR images covering various ecosystems.
  • Interpret the images, identifying different land cover types, vegetation structures, and other relevant features.
  • Compare your interpretations with expert annotations or reference data to assess your accuracy.
SAR-Based Ecosystem Monitoring Report
Creating a comprehensive report will synthesize your learning and demonstrate your ability to apply SAR techniques to ecosystem monitoring. The report will showcase your understanding of the concepts, techniques, and applications of SAR in this field.
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  • Choose an ecosystem of interest.
  • Acquire and preprocess SAR data for the ecosystem.
  • Analyze the SAR data using appropriate techniques to extract relevant information about the ecosystem.
  • Interpret the results, draw conclusions, and make recommendations for ecosystem management.
  • Write a comprehensive report summarizing your findings.
Contribute to SAR-related open-source projects
Gain practical experience by contributing to SAR development and expand knowledge beyond the course
Browse courses on Open Source Projects
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  • Identify open-source projects related to SAR
  • Review project documentation
  • Select a project and make a significant contribution
Contribute to open-source SAR projects
Gain practical experience and contribute to the SAR community by participating in open-source projects.
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  • Identify open-source SAR projects that align with your interests and skillset.
  • Review the project documentation and codebase to understand the project's goals and requirements.
  • Start contributing to the project by fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation.
Develop a SAR-based solution for an environmental challenge
Apply your knowledge of SAR to address a real-world environmental problem.
Browse courses on Environmental Monitoring
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  • Identify an environmental challenge that can be addressed using SAR technology.
  • Design and develop a solution that leverages SAR data and techniques to address the challenge.
  • Implement and evaluate your solution using real-world SAR data.

Career center

Learners who complete Synthetic Aperture Radar: Ecosystems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists work with the earth's biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere to address environmental issues. In addition to a traditional Environmental Science education, they often have training in remote sensing, GIS, and data analysis. As a significant portion of modern environmental work involves the analysis of remote sensing data, this course on SAR may be particularly useful for the Environmental Scientist interested in deepening their knowledge of how to utilize remote sensing for ecosystem monitoring.
Natural Resources Manager
To help manage natural resources for the public, Natural Resources Managers need a variety of skills in economy, environmental science, and especially data analysis. The analysis of remote sensing images using GIS and other tools is now a standard part of a modern Natural Resource Manager's tool set. As a result, this course in the use of SAR for mapping and analyzing ecosystems would be of great help to a Natural Resources Manager seeking to improve their ability to manage and conserve natural resources.
Conservation Officer
Conservation Officers protect natural resources from human-caused damage by enforcing laws and regulations. Many Conservation Officers hold degrees in Natural Resources Management or a related field, with some pursuing an advanced degree. Regardless of educational background, GIS and remote sensing are important tools for modern Conservation Officers to monitor these resources. As a result, this course in the use of SAR for mapping and analyzing ecosystems would be of great help to a Conservation Officer seeking to improve their ability to monitor and protect natural resources in the field.
Agronomist
Agronomists use scientific knowledge to optimize crop production. They use data analysis and remote sensing to estimate soil health, predict crop yields, and determine the best management practices for each field. As remote sensing is a vital tool for the modern Agronomist, this course in the use of SAR to map and analyze agriculture could help build a foundation in this area, helping Agronomists improve their ability to increase crop yields.
Forester
Foresters work with a wide range of professionals to manage and protect forests. In addition to botany and silviculture, many Foresters also gain training in remote sensing to map and analyze forest ecosystems. As a result, for a Forester seeking to deepen their understanding of remote sensing or to specialize in the use of SAR for forest monitoring, this course could prove very helpful.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers design solutions to protect human health and ecosystems from the effects of pollution. Many Environmental Engineers use remote sensing to gather data on the environment for use in modelling, planning, and design. This course in SAR will help build a foundation for Environmental Engineers to gain additional skills in monitoring ecosystems using remote sensing, especially in areas where traditional methods are impractical.
Ecologist
Ecologists study the distribution and abundance of living organisms and their relationship to the environment. Ecologists often use remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) to understand the spatial and temporal patterns of ecosystems. This course on Synthetic Aperture Radar can help equip Ecologists with an additional tool to study ecosystems and their interactions with the environment.
Geographic Information Systems Analyst
GIS Analysts help businesses and governments make data-driven decisions using technology. They use GIS software to create maps and analyze data to solve problems and communicate information. This course can help GIS Analysts gain additional skills in remote sensing to better analyze and map ecosystems and other environmental features.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make better decisions. Remote sensing is an important source of data for many Data Scientists, and this course on SAR can help Data Scientists gain additional skills in analyzing remote sensing data, especially in the context of ecosystem monitoring.
Agricultural Technician
Agricultural Technicians support agricultural scientists and farmers in conducting research and managing crops and livestock. Many Agricultural Technicians are proficient in the use of technology such as drones and remote sensing to collect data on crops and fields. This course on SAR can help Agricultural Technicians build a foundation in the use of remote sensing for agriculture.
Surveyor
Surveyors use specialized equipment to measure and map land and other features on the earth's surface. Remote sensing is an important tool for Surveyors, and this course on SAR can help Surveyors gain additional skills in using remote sensing for surveying and mapping.
Hydrologist
Hydrologists study the distribution and movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the earth. Remote sensing is a useful tool for Hydrologists to map and monitor water resources, and this course on SAR can help Hydrologists build a foundation in the use of remote sensing for hydrology.
Geographer
Geographers study the physical and human characteristics of the earth's surface. Remote sensing is an important tool for Geographers to map and analyze the earth's surface, and this course on SAR can help Geographers build a foundation in the use of remote sensing for geography.
Geologist
Geologists study the composition, structure, and history of the earth's crust. Remote sensing is a useful tool for Geologists to map and analyze the earth's surface, and this course on SAR can help Geologists build a foundation in the use of remote sensing for geology.
Photogrammetrist
Photogrammetrists use aerial photographs and other remote sensing data to create maps and models of the earth's surface. This course on SAR can help Photogrammetrists gain additional skills in using remote sensing for mapping and modelling.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Synthetic Aperture Radar: Ecosystems.
Covers the theory and techniques used in the design and processing of Synthetic Aperture Radar signals, providing a comprehensive understanding of the principles and applications of SAR technology.
Offers a comprehensive overview of remote sensing, encompassing the principles, techniques, and applications of remote sensing data acquisition, processing, and interpretation.
Provides an overview of microwave remote sensors, imaging radar, and their applications for monitoring the Earth's surface and subsurface. A good reference for the basics of SAR systems, theory, and applications.
A broader text on remote sensing, with one chapter dedicated to SAR. Course materials focus on ecosystem monitoring, so this text can provide broader context on the utility of SAR beyond that scope.
Provides a moderately technical overview of forest ecology and management; an understanding of which is important for understanding the role of SAR in ecosystem monitoring.
Focuses on the theory and applications of imaging radar systems, covering topics such as radar imaging principles, SAR processing algorithms, and applications in remote sensing and target detection.
A specialized book that focuses on the principles and applications of microwave remote sensing for sea ice studies, providing a comprehensive overview of the techniques used to retrieve sea ice parameters from microwave data.
Provides a comprehensive overview of radar meteorology, covering the principles of radar operation and applications in weather forecasting and research, with a focus on precipitation measurements and weather surveillance.
Focuses on the theoretical aspects of microwave scattering and emission models, providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles and techniques used to model the interaction of microwaves with various surfaces and objects.

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