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AlaskaX: Synthetic Aperture Radar: Ecosystems

This online course will introduce the contributions of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing to the monitoring of Earth’s ecosystems. 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.

Synthetic Aperture Radar: Ecosystems
4 weeks
4–6 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
Optional upgrade available

There is one session available:

After a course session ends, it will be archivedOpens in a new tab.
Starts Apr 25
Ends Jun 30
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Synthetic Aperture Radar: Ecosystems

About this course

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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.

At a glance

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcripts: English, Español
  • Associated programs:
  • Associated skills:Polarization, Earth Science, Time Series, Agriculture, Data Hub, Radar, Remote Sensing, Jupyter, Ecosystem Science

What you'll learn

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Participants in this course will develop the following skills:

  • 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.

Syllabus

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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.

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

Learner testimonials

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It was a great course! I recommend it for both beginners and familiarized professionals with radar remote sensing.

Gilberto Daniel Hermosillo Camacho, Specialist in Geotechnologies, Mexico

Great hands-on activities and explanations! A great refresher course for those familiar with SAR, and helps with knowledge enhancement! Yet, it's an approachable course even for beginners in SAR too.

Sidharth Subramaniam, GIS Associate, Kawa Space, India

Glad to complete this SAR course offered via edX. It helps me to better interface with our satellite team when monitoring construction induced ground/building deformation, as well as broaden my horizons about SAR applications outside my expertise.

Zhangwei Ning, PhD, Technical Manager at SIXENSE Inc

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

This course is part of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): Applications Professional Certificate Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
3 skill-building courses
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
3 months
4 - 6 hours per week

Ways to take this course

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Certificate

Free

Price

$229 USD

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Access to course materials

Unlimited

Limited

Expires on May 23

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