Based on the Vector Radiative Transfer Theory （VRT） and SAR technology characteristics

several sub

m

odels for rice are constructed such as leaf scattering model

leaf extinction models

trunk scattering model

trunk extinction model and water reflection model. Then an integrated model including all the main physical processes of rice first

o

rder scattering mechanisms is achieved. By simulations using the validated model

the backscattering coefficient of the rice canopy which can be deduced from the SAR data will be obtained. It will be helpful in theoretical and methodological guidance for using SAR data to make rice fields mapping

rice growth monitoring and rice production forecasting more effectively

more economically and more expediently. In this paper

all of the models are introduced in detail and systema tically. Based on the simulation results

the variations of the rice backscattering coefficient with the date

incidence angle

wave band and polarization change are discussed. At the end of this article

some valuable quantificational results and practical conclusions are summarized.