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The Use of Multitemporal Radar Data in Agriculture Monitoring : 
A Case Study in Kóyce£giz-Dalaman Ecosystem, Turkey 
F. Sunar', M. Taberner,” D. Maktav!, S. Kaya', N. Musaoëlu' and E. Yagız! 
Istanbul Technical University, Civil Engineering Fac., Remote Sensing Div., Maslak 80626, Istanbul/Turkey 
? Bristol University, Centre for Remote Sensing, University Road, BS8 1SS, Bristol/England 
Commission VII, Working Group 6 
KEY WORDS : Multi-temporal ERS Radar Data, Landsat TM, Crop Monitoring, GIS 
ABSTRACT 
In recent years, advanced technologies, such as spaceborne remote sensing systems, have been utilized for the 
monitoring and management of coastal ecosystems. As in any ecological study, there is a need for current and 
historical information on the distribution and amount of vegetation before being able to assess landscape change; 
vegetation productivity and biomass; and the effects of disturbances such as flooding, fires, disease, and harvesting or 
logging. Collection of optical satellite image data over ecologically important regions on a continuous basis is often 
limited by cloud cover. Radar satellites like ERS with SAR imagery overcome this problem by obtaining the images 
independently of cloud coverage and illumination conditions. In this study, ERS 1/2 SAR data sets of SAR precision 
imagery covering a period between March and September 96 were used to evaluate the distribution of different 
vegetation species and their cover. The combination of temporal sequences of images with ancillary knowledge on 
phenological development and cropping calendars obtained from the Dalaman State Production Center nearby the 
protection area, provides accurate knowledge of available resources. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
Crop maps are required for a variety of 
applications ranging from general inventory 
requirements to ecological studies. They can be 
prepared fairly successfully using satellite data 
acquired with sensors operating in the visible 
and near infrared regions of the spectrum. Data 
collection, however, can be unreliable due to 
problems of cloud cover at critical stages during 
the growing seasons. The all-weather capability 
of synthetic aperture radar imagery acquired 
from sensors such as ERS SAR, provides data 
over large areas whenever crop information is 
required. Combining the radar data with other 
data sets (i.e., visible imagery and ground data) 
using geographic information system (GIS) 
provides an agricultural monitoring system 
(AMS) that can be used for ecological 
management purposes. 
This study was carried out in the framework 
of the International Mediterranean Project 
supported by European Space Agency (ESA) at 
the Kdycegiz - Dalyan pilot study area which is 
defined as a Specially Protected Area (SPA) by 
the Turkish Government. This area is of 
international importance owing to the 
occurrence of unique tree species and special 
ecological conditions, as well as for historical 
considerations, as well as for historical 
considerations. There is, therefore, a need for 
current and historical information on the 
distribution and amount of vegetation in order to 
assess the current state and dynamics of the 
situation. (Maktav et.al., 1996). 
2. STUDY AREA and DATA ACQUISITION 
The Kóycegiz-Dalyan Specially Protected Area, 
located in the southwestern part of Turkey in the 
province of Muëla, is a unique coastal zone 
covering a very wide range of coastal 
ecosystems; lagoons, beaches, wetlands, small 
islands, deltas, settlement areas, forest, rivers, 
agriculture and semi-natural vegetation areas. 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXII, Part 7, Budapest, 1998 559