Precise identification of maize in the North China Plain based on Sentinel-1A SAR time series data

ABSTRACTPlaying a vital role in the national economy and food security of many countries, maize should be identified precisely to accurately determine planting area and yield times. Analysis of multi-temporal backscatter characteristics based on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data provides an effective approach to spatially map maize on a regional scale. Accordingly, we acquired nine European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel-1A C-Band SAR dual-polarimetric (VV and VH) radar time series data at a 20 m spatial resolution for a segment of the North China Plain in 2016. After observing variability in C-Band VV and VH backscattering coefficients and analysing microwave backscattering characteristics for different structures at different growth and development stages, as well as a comparison between different crops, we selected the optimum temporal phases to construct Sentinel-1A SAR time series data sequences for classification. To assess the performance of different polarization modes in identifying maize, both si...