Tree Sway Time Series of 7 Amazon Tree Species (July 2015–May 2016)

Water stress detection in the Amazon using radar

The Amazon rainforest plays an important role in the global water and carbon cycle, and though it is predicted to continue drying in the future, the effect of drought remains uncertain. Developments in remote sensing missions now facilitate large-scale observations. The RapidScat scatterometer (K_u band) mounted on the International...

Measuring Tree Properties and Responses Using Low-Cost Accelerometers

Trees play a crucial role in the water, carbon and nitrogen cycle on local, regional and global scales. Understanding the exchange of momentum, heat, water, and CO 2 between trees and the atmosphere is important to assess the impact of drought, deforestation and climate change. Unfortunately, ground measurements of tree properties such as mass...

Dielectric Response of Corn Leaves to Water Stress

Radar backscatter from vegetated surface is sensitive to direct backscatter from the canopy, and two-way attenuation of the signal as it travels through the canopy. Both mechanisms are affected by the dielectric properties of {the individual elements of the canopy, which are primarily a function of water content.} Leaf water content of corn can...

A comparison between leaf dielectric properties of stressed and unstressed tomato plants

Leaf dielectric properties influence microwave scattering from a vegetation canopy. The dielectric properties of leaves are primarily a function of leaf water content. Understanding the effect of water stress on leaf dielectric properties will give insight in how plant dynamics change as a result of water stress, and how radar can be used for...