Wide area K&C PALSAR mosaics: Processing issues and first thematic results

In the framework of the JAXA Kyoto and Carbon (K&C) project blanket and systematic observations were acquired by the PALSAR instrument in FBD mode over the whole African continent, the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Starting from these observations and with the aim of supporting carbon science and environment conservation, wide area and high spatial resolution (order of 100 m) mapping products are under development by a collaborative effort. In particular this paper reports on the joint experience of two laboratories in the development and analysis of a continental scale radar mosaic over Africa. The main computational and radar science issues, which must be taken into account to arrive from raw data at seamless imagery with good radiometric and geometric accuracy, are summarized. Preliminary analysis of the thematic information provided by a partition of the mosaic over Central Africa is reported, with emphasis on forest and savanna monitoring. © VDE VERLAG GMBH · Berlin · Offenbach