Radarsat data for Siberian plain ecosystems classification

Radarsat data validity in classification of Siberian plain taiga ecosystems along the Yenisei River (IGBP transect, 90/spl deg/E) was analyzed. Six test areas were selected. Those areas represent a variety of the main ecosystem and physical-geographical conditions from the tundra to the southern taiga (forest) zones. The analysis of Radarsat signal amplitude, textural characteristics and digital elevation fused data allowed the detection of 18 on-ground classes. For the purpose of classification the importance of parameters are arranged as follows: relief, signal amplitude, skewness, variance, mean Euclidean distance and kurtosis. The main advantage of the Radarsat data is its ability to detect hydromorphic elements (7 bog types were determined).