Abstract: A method for measuring and quantifying clutter, and target detection and tracking systems that employs wavelet-based clutter quantification to generate a clutter number and a signal-to-clutter ratio derived therefrom to achieve improved target detection performance. The method processes video signals representative of an image scene containing a target and background clutter to provide for more accurate tracking of the target by a tracker(s). The method comprises processing the video signals to compute a wavelet clutter number, processing the video signals to compute a signal-to clutter ratio using the wavelet clutter number, and generating a pointer to a lookup table that sets parameters and selects the tracker that is to be used to track the target based upon the computed signal-to clutter ratio.