Analysis of GPR field parameters for root mapping in Brazil's caatinga environment.

There is significant potential for GPR to be applied to the systematic non-invasive study of underground biomass. Early studies, some 15 years ago, explored the applicability of the technique but there are still only a few published case studies. Non-invasive root characterization provides valuable information for environmental engineers.forest engineers, botanists, and plant scientists in general. Here, we evaluate acquisition parameters for GPR survey in the caatinga environment, an exclusive Brazilian biome (spanning eight states in the north-eastern region and part of one state in the South-eastern region). This biome presents high density of trees, making systematic GPR mapping a time-consuming task. In this project, we aim to establish the most practical survey design, including spatial sampling parameters, in order to optimise survey efficiency without compromising data quality. We explore data characteristics within a high-resolution 900 MHz GPR survey, 5 × 5 m in area. Root images show a promising correlation with biomass observed in trial excavations.