Improving the characterization of permafrost using polarimetric SAR interferometry (pol-inSAR)

该项目的目标是利用Pol-InSAR（偏振合成孔径雷达干涉测量）来改善永久冻土的特征。该项目的动机是对加拿大北部永久冻土空间分布和动态特征的准确描述日益增长的需求，并得益于先进遥感数据的可用性，例如来自RADASAT-2和RADARSAT星座任务（RCM）的数据，这些数据将于2018年发射。关于北方永久冻土的现状和未来趋势的准确信息和科学知识至关重要。需要它们来确定永久冻土系统对全球变暖的脆弱性，并设计措施和有效的管理政策，以保护基础设施和生态系统，并尽量减少永久冻土融化的其他不利影响。为了实现本项目的目标，我们将实现以下具体目标：利用Pol-InSAR技术开发先进的方法，准确表征多年冻土区季节性变化引起的地形位移；利用RADARSAT数据获取的特征进行活动层厚度预测的综合研究。****该项目的成果将促进Pol-InSAR技术的研究和发展，利用RADARSAT-2的数据集及其在永久冻土特征方面的应用。它将大大有助于了解全球气候变化对永久冻土景观和相关生态系统的影响。开发的方法可以转移到我们的工业合作伙伴PCI Geomatics公司，用于潜在的商业化。最终，这将带来国家和潜在的国际经济利益。该项目还将为高素质人才提供培训机会，以提高他们在完成高等教育课程后的就业前景。**********

The goal of this project is to exploit the Pol-InSAR (Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture RADAR Interferometry) to improve permafrost characterization. This project is motivated by the growing demands for accurate characterization of the spatial distribution and dynamics of permafrost in the Canadian North and is enabled by the availability of advanced remotely sensed data, such as those from RADASAT-2 and the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) to be launched in 2018. Accurate information and scientific knowledge of the status and future trends of permafrost in the North are fundamentally important. They are needed to determine the vulnerability of permafrost systems to global warming and to design measures and effective management policies for the protection of infrastructures and ecosystems and for the minimization of other adverse effects of permafrost thawing. To achieve the goal of this project, we will fulfill the following specific objectives: develop advanced methodologies to accurately characterize the topographic displacements due to the seasonal changes in permafrost regions by exploiting the Pol-InSAR technology, and carry out a comprehensive study on the prediction of active layer thickness using features derived from data acquired by RADARSAT data. ****The outcome of this project will advance the research and development of the Pol-InSAR technology using data sets from RADARSAT-2 and its application in permafrost characterization. It will significantly contribute to understanding the effects of global climate change on permafrost landscapes and associated ecosystems. The developed methodologies can be transferred to our industrial partner, PCI Geomatics Inc, for potential commercialization. Ultimately, this will lead to national and potentially international economic benefits. The project will also provide training opportunities for highly qualified personnel to enhance their prospects for employment upon the completion of their higher education programs.**********