Sectoring radar images to improve land cover map accuracy

By dividing a radar image into sectors defined by a range of incidence angles, classifying each independently and recombining them, the accuracy of land cover maps can be increased. This is because the method allows for the variation in incidence angle and antenna gain across the swath and so reduces the effect of the spatial position of a target in determining its backscattering properties. It also shows that care is needed in the location of training sites when using radar imagery.