Assessing Performance of Tomo-SAR and Backscattering Coefficient for Hemi-Boreal Forest Aboveground Biomass Estimation

Tomo-SAR technique has been used for hemi-boreal forest height and further forest biomass estimation through allometric equation. Backscattering coefficient especially in longer wavelength (L- or P-band) is thought as a useful parameter for hemi-boreal forest biomass retrieval. The aim of this paper is to assess the performance of vertical backscattering power and backscattering coefficient for hemi-boreal forest aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation with airborne P-band data. The test site locates in southern Sweden called Remningstorp test site, and the in-situ forest AGB ranges from 14 t/ha to 245 t/ha at stand level. Multi-baseline P-band Pol-InSAR data in repeat-path mode collected during March and May in 2007 at Remningstorp test site was used. We found that the correlation coefficient (R) between backscattering coefficient of P-band HH polarization and the in-situ forest biomass reached 0.87. The R for P-band VV backscattering power at 5 m is 0.71 and 10 m is 0.72. Backscattering coefficient in HH polarization and vertical backscattering power at 5 m and 10 m were applied to construct a model for hemi-boreal forest AGB estimation by backward step-wise regression and cross-validation approach. The results showed that the estimated forest AGB ranges from 19 to 240 t/ha, and the constructed model obtained a higher R and smaller RMSE, the value of R is 0.91, RMSE is 30.43 t/ha at Remningstorp test site.     

层析SAR反演森林垂直结构参数现状及发展趋势

森林垂直结构参数反演是进行森林资源管理、森林蓄积量估算及全球碳循环研究的基础。层析合成孔径雷达TomoSAR(Tomography Synthetic Aperture Radar)是随着InSAR/Pol-InSAR技术的日益发展而产生的,更适用于森林垂直结构参数反演。本文首先介绍了TomoSAR的概念与实现方式:PCT(Polarization Coherence Tomography)、多基线干涉层析SAR MB-InTomoSAR(Multi-baseline Interferometric Tomographic SAR)、多基线极化层析SAR MBPolTomoSAR(Multi-baseline Polarization Tomographic SAR);概括了目前应用TomoSAR技术反演森林垂直结构参数的技术方法与信号模型等;论述了应用TomoSAR技术提取森林垂直结构参数的现状,最后分析了应用TomoSAR技术提取森林垂直结构参数可能的发展方向。     

利用ESAR极化数据的复杂地形区森林地上生物量估算

利用机载E-SAR传感器获取的P-波段全极化SAR数据与实测林分样地数据,分析不同极化方式后向散射系数在地形起伏区与森林地上生物量（AGB）的响应关系,以改进的水云模型为基础,建立了融入地形因子的分析性模型。采用遗传算法确定模型的最优参数,并对模型在不同坡度情况下的可靠性、稳定性进行分析,同时通过与常用模型相对比,确定水云分析模型在复杂地形区估算AGB的优势。结果表明：在森林AGB处于较低值的情况下,后向散射系数（HH、HV、VV）变化趋势与AGB变化趋势保持一致,但随着AGB值的增大,这种一致性仅在HV极化方式下继续保持,因此相比之下,HV极化方式更适用于复杂地形区生物量的估算。地形对森林AGB的估算具有极大的影响,后向散射系数与AGB的相关性随着地形坡度的增加而减小。5种模型估算森林AGB的能力大小排序为：水云分析模型 > 二次模型 > 对数模型 > 指数模型 > 线性模型。地形起伏较小的地区估算稳定性排序为：水云分析模型 > 二次模型 > 对数模型 > 指数模型>线性模型。地形起伏较大的地区估算稳定性排序为。水云分析模型 > 二次模型 > 线性模型 > 指数模型 > 对数模型。利用水云分析模型对研究区AGB估算,其实测AGB与模型估算的生物量值决定系数为0.597,RMSE为30.876 t/hm²,拟合精度为77.40%。     

WorldView-2纹理的森林地上生物量反演

使用高空间分辨率卫星WorldView-2的多光谱遥感影像,构建植被指数和纹理因子等遥感因子与森林地上生物量的关系方程,并计算模型估测精度和均方根误差,探索高分辨率数据的光谱与纹理信息在温带森林地上生物量估测应用中的潜力。以黑龙江省凉水自然保护区温带天然林及天然次生林为研究对象,通过灰度共生矩阵(GLCM)、灰度差分向量(GLDV)及和差直方图(SADH)对高分辨率遥感影像进行纹理信息提取,并利用外业调查的74个样地地上生物量与遥感因子建立参数估计模型。提取的遥感因子包括6种植被指数(比值植被指数RVI、差值植被指数DVI、规一化植被指数NDVI、增强植被指数EVI、土壤调节植被指数SAVI和修正的土壤调节植被指数MSAVI)以及3类纹理因子(GLCM、GLDV和SADH)。为避免特征变量个数较多对估测模型造成过拟合,利用随机森林算法对提取的遥感因子进行特征选择,将最优的特征变量输入模型参与建模估测。采用支持向量回归(SVR)进行生物量建模及验证,结果显示选入模型的和差直方图均值(sadh_mean)、灰度共生矩阵方差(glcm_var)和差值植被指数(DVI)等遥感因子对森林地上生物量有较好的解释效果;植被指数+纹理因子组合的模型获得较精确的AGB估算结果(R2=0.85,RMSE=42.30 t/ha),单独使用植被指数的模型精度则较低(R~2=0.69,RMSE=61.13 t/ha)。     

Estimation of Above Ground Biomass Using Texture Metrics Derived from IRS Cartosat-1 Panchromatic Data in Evergreen Forests of Western Ghats,India

Assessment of above ground forest biomass (AGB) is essential in carbon modelling studies to provide mitigation strategies as demonstrated by reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Several researchers have demonstrated the use of remote sensing data in spatial AGB estimation, in terms of spectral and radar backscatter based approaches at a landscape scale with several known limitations. However, these methods lacked the predictive ability at high biomass ranges due to saturation. The current study addresses the problem of saturation at high biomass ranges using canopy textural metric from high resolution optical data. Fourier transform based textural ordination (FOTO) technique, which involves deriving radial spectrum information via 2D fast Fourier transform and ordination through principal component analysis was used for characterizing the textural properties of forest canopies. In the current study, plot level estimated AGB from 15 (1 ha) plots was used to relate with texture derived information from very high resolution datasets (viz., IKONOS and Cartosat-1). In addition to the estimation of high biomass ranges, one of the prime objective of the current study is to understand the effects of spatial resolution on deriving textural-AGB relationship from 2.5 m IRS Cartosat data (Cartosat-A, viewing angle = ?5°) to that of IKONOS imagery with near nadir view. Further, since texture is impacted by several illumination geometry issues, the effect of viewing geometry on the relationship was evaluated using Cartosat-F (Viewing angle = 26°) imagery. The results show that the FOTO method using stereo Cartosat (A and F) images at 2.5 m resolution are able to perform well in characterizing high AGB values since the texture-biomass relationship is only subjected to 18 % relative error to that of 15 % in case of IKONOS and could aid in reduction of uncertainty in AGB estimation at a large landscape levels.     

森林地上生物量遥感反演方法综述

森林地上生物量反演对理解和监测生态系统及评估人类生产生活的影响有着重要作用,日益发展的遥感技术使全球及大区域的生物量估算成为可能。近年来,不同的遥感技术和反演方法被广泛用于估算森林生物量。本文首先总结了现有的全球及区域生物量产品及其不确定性,然后综述了3类方法在森林地上生物量遥感反演中的应用,即基于单源数据的参数化方法、基于多源数据的非参数化方法和基于机理模型的反演方法,阐述了各类反演方法的特点、优势及局限性。最后从机理模型研究、多源遥感数据协同、生物量季节变化研究和遥感数据源不断丰富4个方面对今后的生物量遥感反演研究进行了展望。     

Forest aboveground biomass estimation in Zhejiang Province using the integration of Landsat TM and ALOS PALSAR data

In remote sensing–based forest aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation research, data saturation in Landsat and radar data is well known, but how to reduce this problem for improving AGB estimation has not been fully examined. Different vegetation types have their own species composition and stand structure, thus they have different data saturation values in Landsat or radar data. Optical and radar data also have different characteristics in representing forest stand structures, thus effective use of their features may improve AGB estimation. This research examines the effects of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and ALOS PALSAR L-band data and their integrations in forest AGB estimation of Zhejiang Province, China, and the roles of textural images from both datasets. The linear regression models of AGB were conducted by using (1) Landsat TM alone, (2) ALOS PALSAR data alone, (3) their combination as extra bands, and (4) their data fusion, based on non-stratification and stratification of vegetation types, respectively. The results show that (1) overall, Landsat TM data perform better than PALSAR data, but the latter can produce more accurate estimates for bamboo and shrub, and for forests with AGB values less than 60 Mg/ha; (2) the combination of TM and PALSAR data as extra bands can greatly improve AGB estimation performance, but their fusion using the modified high-pass filter resolution-merging technique cannot; (3) textures are indeed valuable in AGB estimation, especially for forests with complex stand structures such as mixed forests and pine forests with understories of broadleaf species; (4) stratification of vegetation types can improve AGB estimation performance; and (5) the results from the linear regression models are characterized by overestimation and underestimation for the smaller and larger AGB values, respectively, and thus, selecting non-linear models or non-parametric algorithms may be needed in future research.     

InSAR林下地形测绘方法与研究进展

传统光学遥感技术手段在森林覆盖区难以准确获取林下地形,原因在于其只能测量森林冠层顶部高程。微波信号能够穿透森林冠层并记录森林垂直结构信息,为解决林下地形测绘难题带来了契机,如何准确获取林下地形已成为微波遥感领域的研究热点。首先介绍了面向林下地形测绘的合成孔径雷达（synthetic aperture radar,SAR）干涉测高原理及数据获取手段。然后对利用SAR进行林下地形测绘的方法进行了分类,主要包括基于合成孔径雷达干涉测量（interferometric synthetic aperture radar,InSAR）、极化合成孔径雷达干涉测量（polarimetric InSAR,PolInSAR）及基于多基线InSAR/PolInSAR数据的层析SAR（tomographic SAR,TomoSAR）技术的林下地形测绘方法,并介绍了上述3种方法的应用进展。最后在此基础上,从数据获取、误差改正及散射模型构建3个角度分析了林下地形测绘所面临的问题。     

基于ICESatGLAS的云南省森林地上生物量反演

结合机载、星载激光雷达对GLAS(地球科学激光测高系统)光斑范围内的森林地上生物量进行估测,并利用MODIS植被产品以及MERIS土地覆盖产品进行了云南省森林地上生物量的连续制图。机载LiDAR扫描的260个训练样本用于构建星载GLAS的森林地上生物量估测模型,模型的决定系数(R2)为0.52,均方根误差(RMSE)为31Mg/ha。研究结果显示,云南省总森林地上生物量为12.72亿t,平均森林地上生物量为94Mg/ha。估测的森林地上生物量空间分布情况与实际情况相符,森林地上生物量总量与基于森林资源清查数据的估测结果相符,表明了利用机载LiDAR与星载ICESatGLAS结合进行大区域森林地上生物量估测的可靠性。     

结合树龄信息的遥感森林生态系统生物量制图

森林生态系统是陆地生态系统中的重要组成部分，其中的地上生物量（AGB，Aboveground Biomass）在全球气候变化和碳循环研究中起着重要的作用。本文利用ETM^＋遥感影像，首先建立了实测叶面积指数（LAI，Leaf Area Index）与实测生物量数据的回归关系，基于遥感叶面积指数图像得到初步地上生物量空间分布图；同时在短波植被指数（SWVI，Short Wave Vegetation Index）与实测树龄之间建立了回归关系，在此基础上得到了树龄空间分布图。然后通过将植被指数（VI，Vegetation Index），LAI，树龄等变量针对不同的树种类型进行逐步回归，得到了较好的回归模型，并结合土地利用／土地覆盖估算了贵州省黎平县的地上生物量，绘制了其空间分布图。统计结果显示：总体森林生态系统的AGB与LAI和RSR（Reduced Simple Ratio）之间有一定的相关关系（R^2=0．895）；杉木林的AGB与LAI和归一化植被指数（NDVI，Normalized Difference Vegetation Index）之间有较强的相关性（R^2=0．93）；针叶树种的LAI与年龄是AGB较好的估算因子（R^2=0．937）；阔叶林的AGB与年龄有一定的相关性（R^2=0．792）；混交林的AGB与LAI和SR（Simple Ratio）有较强的相关性（R^2=0．931）。结果表明，将树龄和土地覆盖／土地利用类型的信息加入到地上生物量估算模型的建立中，是一种改善利用多光谱遥感估算精度的较好的方法。结合土地覆盖／土地利用类型的高分辨率的树龄空间分布图，可为森林生态系统的可持续发展和管理提供科学的论据。     

A survey of remote sensing-based aboveground biomass estimation methods in forest ecosystems

Remote sensing-based methods of aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation in forest ecosystems have gained increased attention, and substantial research has been conducted in the past three decades. This paper provides a survey of current biomass estimation methods using remote sensing data and discusses four critical issues – collection of field-based biomass reference data, extraction and selection of suitable variables from remote sensing data, identification of proper algorithms to develop biomass estimation models, and uncertainty analysis to refine the estimation procedure. Additionally, we discuss the impacts of scales on biomass estimation performance and describe a general biomass estimation procedure. Although optical sensor and radar data have been primary sources for AGB estimation, data saturation is an important factor resulting in estimation uncertainty. LIght Detection and Ranging (lidar) can remove data saturation, but limited availability of lidar data prevents its extensive application. This literature survey has indicated the limitations of using single-sensor data for biomass estimation and the importance of integrating multi-sensor/scale remote sensing data to produce accurate estimates over large areas. More research is needed to extract a vertical vegetation structure (e.g. canopy height) from interferometry synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) or optical stereo images to incorporate it into horizontal structures (e.g. canopy cover) in biomass estimation modeling.     

Forest classification and impact of BIOMASS resolution on forest area and aboveground biomass estimation

The European Space Agency (ESA) is currently implementing the BIOMASS mission as 7th Earth Explorer satellite. BIOMASS will provide for the first time global forest aboveground biomass estimates based on P-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. This paper addresses an often overlooked element of the data processing chain required to ensure reliable and accurate forest biomass estimates: accurate identification of forest areas ahead of the inversion of radar data into forest biomass estimates.The use of the P-band data from BIOMASS itself for the classification into forest and non-forest land cover types is assessed in this paper. For airborne data in tropical, hemi-boreal and boreal forests we demonstrate that classification accuracies from 90 up to 97% can be achieved using radar backscatter and phase information. However, spaceborne data will have a lower resolution and higher noise level compared to airborne data and a higher probability of mixed pixels containing multiple land cover types. Therefore, airborne data was reduced to 50 m, 100 m and 200 m resolution. The analysis revealed that about 50–60% of the area within the resolution level must be covered by forest to classify a pixel with higher probability as forest compared to non-forest. This results in forest omission and commission leading to similar forest area estimation over all resolutions. However, the forest omission resulted in a biased underestimated biomass, which was not equaled by the forest commission. The results underline the necessity of a highly accurate pre-classification of SAR data for an accurate unbiased aboveground biomass estimation.     

合成孔径雷达与森林地上生物量反演：好奇和实用的平衡

好奇是科学与技术发展、不断创新的源泉,实用则是科技发展、创新的结果服务人类、回馈社会,两者无不例外共同不断地驱动着合成孔径雷达技术和森林地上生物量反演的研究和发展。在全球气候急剧变化的今天,好奇和实用的平衡则更加至关重要。地球陆地表面森林面积大小和树木生物量是估算各国或者全球碳储量、排放及其变化的重要参数。好奇已产生的成功案例表明,树木生物量的反演与全极化、极化干涉、层析合成孔径雷达SAR(Synthetic Aperture Radar)技术及数据集紧密相关。反思过去,兼顾好奇和实用,对地上树木生物量的反演,建议将来考虑以下4种方案,即星载双波段SAR和异速方程(Allometric Equation),星载激光雷达LiDAR(Light Detection and Ranging)和异速方程,第3个方案是前面两个方案的结合,方案4为探索和好奇性的。     

Modeling and mapping aboveground biomass of the restored mangroves using ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 in East Kalimantan,Indonesia

Accurate estimation of forest aboveground biomass (AGB) using remote sensing is a requisite for monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system of the United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. However, attaining high accuracy remains a great challenge in the diverse tropical forests. Among available technologies, l-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) estimates AGB with reasonably high accuracy in the terrestrial tropical forests. Nevertheless, the accuracy is relatively low in the mangrove forests. In this context, the study was carried out to model and map AGB using backscatter coefficients of Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2 (ALOS-2) Phased Array l-band SAR-2 (PALSAR-2) in part of the restored mangrove forest at Mahakam Delta, Indonesia. PALSAR-2 data was acquired with image scene observation during the peak low tide on 30 July 2018 from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The forest parameters namely tree height and diameter at breast height were measured from 71 field plots in September-October 2018. The parameters were used in mangrove allometry to calculate the field AGB. Finally, HV polarized backscatter coefficients of PALSAR-2 were used to model AGB using linear regression. The model demonstrated a comparatively high performance using three distinct methods viz. independent validation (R² of 0.89 and RMSE of 23.16 tons ha⁻¹), random k-fold cross validation (R² of 0.89 and RMSE of 24.59 tons ha⁻¹) and leave location out cross validation (LLO CV) (R² of 0.88 and RMSE of 24.05 tons ha⁻¹). The high accuracy of the LLO CV indicates no spatial overfitting in the model. Thus, the model based on LLO CV was used to map AGB in the study area. This is the first study that successfully obtains high accuracy in modeling AGB in the mangrove forest. Therefore, it offers a significant contribution to the MRV mechanism for monitoring mangrove forests in the tropics and sub-tropics.     

高光谱和LiDAR联合反演森林生物量研究

估算森林地上生物量(AGB)对于全球实现碳中和目标至关重要。本文以美国缅因州Howland森林为研究区域,借助地面实测样地数据,对比分析协同不同数据源(高光谱和LiDAR)和机器学习算法(随机森林、支持向量机、梯度提升决策树和K最邻近回归)的研究,以改善Howland森林的生物量估计精度。结果表明,采用LiDAR和高光谱植被指数变量模型的最佳精度分别为0.874和0.868,协同高光谱和LiDAR变量并采用梯度提升决策树回归模型的精度为0.927,即多源遥感数据要优于单一数据源。高光谱和LiDAR数据的协同使用对于提高类似于Howland地区或更广泛区域的生物量估计的准确性,具有普遍的适用性与一定的应用前景。     

融合升降轨的极化干涉SAR三层模型植被高度反演方法

森林参数的获取不仅可以估算地表生物量和林下地形,还有助于研究全球碳循环和分析全球气候变化。极化干涉SAR植被参数反演算法一般是基于随机地体两层模型(RVoG),但是当实际植被有着冠层、树干层和地表层的明显三层结构时,植被参数反演精度就会变差;另外,由于机载SAR系统数据的近距远距垂直向波数差异较大,导致试验结果存在着由其引起的系统误差。针对这两个问题,本文提出了一种融合升降轨的极化干涉SAR三层模型植被参数反演方法。该方法首先采用三层植被RVoG模型修正微波在穿透植被时的散射过程;然后采用融合升降轨道数据的方式削弱其系统误差;最后,采用非线性迭代平差的反演算法来进行植被高度反演。为了验证该方法的有效性,采用了德国宇航局DLR提供的BioSAR2008项目的两景升轨及两景降轨E-SAR P波段全极化SAR数据进行试验,并采用3组反演策略进行比较分析。结果表明,三层植被模型能够更好地描述植被散射过程;同时,新方法有效降低了由垂直向波数引起的系统误差,提高了树高反演精度。     

多源数据支持下的森林地上生物量估算方法

以Landsat8 OLI（operational land imager）为遥感数据源,森林资源二类调查和地理国情数据为主要辅助数据,对森林地上生物量（aboveground biomass,AGB）进行了反演和估算。以安徽省金寨县的天然林为研究对象,通过计算覆盖研究区Landsat8 OLI的光谱、纹理和地形特征,利用森林资源二类调查、地理国情普查与监测和外业调查数据建立AGB定量反演模型,以此为基础分析了不同特征对于AGB估算的影响。结果表明,基于所采用的方法得到的金寨县的森林地上生物量,最优反演模型的实测值与估算值相对误差为0.708 718,均方根误差为1.318 983,精度较高。依据该模型计算得到金寨县的生物总量为4 723 728 530 t,结果与实际情况符合。该研究对AGB定量反演和研究所采用的方法对于大范围监测森林资源具有可用性。     

森林地上生物量的极化相干层析估计方法

基于微波的后向散射系数估计森林地上生物量(AGB)易受后向散射系数饱和的影响,而利用森林高度,根据生长方程估计AGB,却没有考虑和AGB密切相关的林分密度、树种组成、林层垂直分布等空间结构特征的作用,针对这些问题,提出一种基于极化相干层析(Polarization Coherence Tomography,PCT)技术的AGB估计方法。基于德国宇航局(DLR)机载SAR系统(ESAR)获取的特劳斯坦(Traunstein)试验区L-波段极化干涉SAR(PolInSAR)数据,通过对具有不同AGB水平的典型林分的相对反射率函数曲线的分析,定义了9个与AGB具有相关性的特征参数。然后基于20个林分的实测AGB数据,以林分尺度上这9个特征参数的平均值为自变量,以实测林分平均AGB为因变量,采用逐步回归分析法构建了AGB估测模型,并对该模型进行评价,对影响模型估计精度的因素进行分析,结果表明,由PCT提取的相对反射率函数特征参数对AGB很敏感,充分利用相对反射率函数信息可提高AGB估计精度。     

Estimation of forest aboveground biomass from HJ1B imagery using a canopy reflectance model and a forest growth model

Accurately estimating the spatial distribution of forest aboveground biomass (AGB) is important because of its carbon budget forms part of the global carbon cycle. This paper presented three methods for obtaining forest AGB based on a forest growth model, a Multiple-Forward-Mode (MFM) method and a stochastic gradient boosting (SGB) model. A Li-Strahler geometric-optical canopy reflectance model (GOMS) with the ZELIG forest growth model was run using HJ1B imagery to derive forest AGB. GOMS-ZELIG simulated data were used to train the SGB model and AGB estimation. The GOMS-ZELIG AGB estimation was evaluated for 24 field-measured data and compared against the GOMS-SGB model and GOMS-MFM biomass predictions from multispectral HJ1B data. The results show that the estimation accuracy of the GOMS-MFM model is slightly higher than that of the GOMS-SGB model. The GOMS-ZELIG and GOMS-MFM models are considerably more accurate at estimating forest AGB in arid and semiarid regions.     

Geostatistical modeling using LiDAR-derived prior knowledge with SPOT-6 data to estimate temperate forest canopy cover and above-ground biomass via stratified random sampling

Forest canopy cover (CC) and above-ground biomass (AGB) are important ecological indicators for forest monitoring and geoscience applications. This study aimed to estimate temperate forest CC and AGB by integrating airborne LiDAR data with wall-to-wall space-borne SPOT-6 data through geostatistical modeling. Our study involved the following approach: (1) reference maps of CC and AGB were derived from wall-to-wall LiDAR data and calibrated by field measurements; (2) twelve discrete LiDAR flights were simulated by assuming that LiDAR data were only available beneath these flights; (3) training/testing samples of CC and AGB were extracted from the reference maps inside and outside the simulated flights using stratified random sampling; (4) The simple linear regression, ordinary kriging and regression kriging model were used to extend the sparsely sampled CC/AGB data to the entire study area by incorporating a selection of SPOT-6 variables, including vegetation indices and texture variables. The regression kriging model was superior at estimating and mapping the spatial distribution of CC and AGB, as it featured the lowest mean absolute error (MAE; 11.295% and 18.929 t/ha for CC and AGB, respectively) and root mean squared error (RMSE; 17.361% and 21.351 t/ha for CC and AGB, respectively). The predicted and reference values of both CC and AGB were highly correlated for the entire study area based on the estimation histograms and error maps. Finally, we concluded that the regression kriging model was superior and more effective at estimating LiDAR-derived CC and AGB values using the spatially-reduced samples and the SPOT-6 variables. The presented modeling workflow will greatly facilitate future forest growth monitoring and carbon stock assessments for large areas of temperate forest in northeast China. It also provides guidance on how to take full advantage of future sparsely collected LiDAR data in cases where wall-to-wall LiDAR coverage is not available from the perspective of geostatistics.