Use of SAR in Regional Trace Gas Exchange Studies

L.A. Morrissey, G.P. Livingston, and S.L. Durden

Abstract

    Significant sources of uncertainty in global trace gas budgets are due to lack of knowledge concerning the areal and temporal extent of source and sink areas. SAR is particularly suited to studies of northern ecosystems because of its ability to penetrate clouds and the availability of seasonal data. As key controls on methane exchange, the capability to differentiate major vegetation communities, inundation, and leaf area index (LAI) with satellite and airborne SAR data would improve regional and seasonal estimates of methane exchange. We examine the utility of SAR data for monitoring key controls on methane emissions from Arctic and boreal ecosystems.