The Eye in the Sky: Combined Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems and GPS Data Loggers for Ecological Research and Conservation of Small Birds

Rodríguez, Airam; Negro, Juan J.; Mulero, Mara; Rodríguez, Carlos; Hernández-Pliego, Jesús; Bustamante, Javier

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0050336

Cited by 91 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(42 reference statements)

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“…As the technology has progressed, so has the sophistication of its applications to habitat research and monitoring, such as expeditious imaging of agricultural habitats overflown by foraging lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni) equipped with GPS data loggers (Rodriguez et al 2012), and modelling fine-scale distribution of tuberculosis-carrying ungulates based on UAS surveys of a variety of habitats in Donana National Park, Spain (Barasona et al 2014). Because of the unparalleled spatial resolution achievable in UAS imagery, it may also be used to "ground-truth" coarser-resolution satellite imagery (Watts et al 2010).…”

Section: Uas For Wildlife Habitat Research and Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildlife research and management methods in the 21st century: Where do unmanned aircraft fit in?

Chabot

Bird

2015

J. Unmanned Veh. Sys.

205

183

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Since the turn of the century, emerging unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have found increasingly diverse applications in wildlife science as convenient, very highresolution remote sensing devices. Achieved or conceptualized applications include optical surveying and observation of animals, autonomous wildlife telemetry tracking, and habitat research and monitoring. As the technology continues to progress and interest from the wildlife science community grows, there may yet be much untapped potential for UAS to contribute to the discipline. We present a review of the published primary literature on the application of UAS in wildlife science and related fields. This is followed by a systematic review of the broader wildlife science literature published since the turn of the century to assess where UAS are likely to make important contributions going forward based on the trends that have emerged thus far. UAS, in particular small lightweight models, are generally well suited for collecting data at an intermediate spatial scale between what is easily coverable on the ground and what is economically coverable with conventional aircraft. They are particularly useful for monitoring wildlife and habitats in places that are difficult to access or navigate from the ground, as well as approaching sensitive or aggressive species.Key words: aerial survey, conservation, remotely piloted aircraft system, unmanned aerial vehicle, drone, wildlife monitoring.Résumé : Depuis le début du siècle, les nouveaux systèmes d'aéronefs sans pilote (UAS), en tant qu'appareils de télédétection de haute résolution pratiques, ont donné lieu à de plus en plus d'applications diverses en science de la faune. Les applications réalisées ou conceptualisées comprennent l'inventaire et l'observation optiques des animaux, la localisation autonome de la faune par télémétrie et la recherche et la surveillance des habitats. À mesure que la technologie continue de progresser et que l'intérêt de la part du milieu scientifique du domaine de la faune croît, la contribution des UAS à la discipline pourra augmenter, car il peut y avoir encore beaucoup de potentiel à exploiter. Nous présentons un examen de la littérature primaire publiée portant sur l'application des UAS dans les domaines de la science de la faune et connexes. Un examen systématique de l'ensemble de la littérature de la science de la faune publiée depuis le début du siècle s'ensuit dans le but d'évaluer, d'après les tendances qui ont émergé jusqu'à maintenant, où les UAS vont possiblement faire des contributions à l'avenir. Les UAS, en particulier les petits modèles légers, sont bien adaptés à la collecte de données à une échelle spatiale intermédiaire entre ce qui est facilement saisi sur le terrain et ce qui est saisi à l'aide d'un aéronef traditionnel. Ils sont particulièrement utiles pour la surveillance de la faune et des habitats dans les endroits difficiles à accéder ou à naviguer à partir du sol, ainsi que pour s'approcher des espèces sensibles ou agressives.

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Section: Uas For Wildlife Habitat Research and Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildlife research and management methods in the 21st century: Where do unmanned aircraft fit in?

Chabot

Bird

2015

J. Unmanned Veh. Sys.

205

183

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“…Instead, the focus is on the use of small drones in precision agriculture (e.g., [46,53,54]) and vegetation monitoring in rangelands (e.g., [44,[55][56][57][58][59]). Other environmental research applications found in the literature include biodiversity monitoring [60][61][62][63][64], habitat monitoring [65][66][67], and soil properties [68,69]. Another application that can assist in environmental monitoring is the generation of high spatial resolution digital surface/elevation models from drone imagery [70,71].…”

Section: The Use Of Small Drones For Environmental Mapping and Monitomentioning

confidence: 99%

Small Drones for Community-Based Forest Monitoring: An Assessment of Their Feasibility and Potential in Tropical Areas

Paneque-Gálvez

McCall

Napoletano

et al. 2014

Forests

293

131

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Data gathered through community-based forest monitoring (CBFM) programs may be as accurate as those gathered by professional scientists, but acquired at a much lower cost and capable of providing more detailed data about the occurrence, extent and drivers of forest loss, degradation and regrowth at the community scale. In addition, CBFM enables greater survey repeatability. Therefore, CBFM should be a fundamental component of national forest monitoring systems and programs to measure, report and verify (MRV) REDD+ activities. To contribute to the development of more effective approaches to CBFM, in this paper we assess: (1) the feasibility of using small, low-cost drones (i.e., remotely piloted aerial vehicles) in CBFM programs; (2) their potential advantages and disadvantages for communities, partner organizations and forest data end-users; and (3) to what extent their utilization, coupled with ground surveys and local ecological knowledge, OPEN ACCESSForests 2014, 5 1482 would improve tropical forest monitoring. To do so, we reviewed the existing literature regarding environmental applications of drones, including forest monitoring, and drew on our own firsthand experience flying small drones to map and monitor tropical forests and training people to operate them. We believe that the utilization of small drones can enhance CBFM and that this approach is feasible in many locations throughout the tropics if some degree of external assistance and funding is provided to communities. We suggest that the use of small drones can help tropical communities to better manage and conserve their forests whilst benefiting partner organizations, governments and forest data end-users, particularly those engaged in forestry, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation projects such as REDD+.

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“…a few hundred to a few thousand US$), and this is currently leading to their widespread use for wildlife observations [2,3]. In ornithology, fixed-wing drones are already being widely used for census work and observations [4,5], and dozens of videos available on the Internet testify that researchers, and the general public, are keen to use drones to approach birds. In a number of countries, air traffic regulations strictly control the civil use of drones, yet no ethical guidelines exist with respect to their potential impacts on animal welfare.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Approaching birds with drones: first experiments and ethical guidelines

et al. 2015

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Unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly called drones, are being increasingly used in ecological research, in particular to approach sensitive wildlife in inaccessible areas. Impact studies leading to recommendations for best practices are urgently needed. We tested the impact of drone colour, speed and flight angle on the behavioural responses of mallards Anas platyrhynchos in a semi-captive situation, and of wild flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and common greenshanks (Tringa nebularia) in a wetland area. We performed 204 approach flights with a quadricopter drone, and during 80% of those we could approach unaffected birds to within 4 m. Approach speed, drone colour and repeated flights had no measurable impact on bird behaviour, yet they reacted more to drones approaching vertically. We recommend launching drones farther than 100 m from the birds and adjusting approach distance according to species. Our study is a first step towards a sound use of drones for wildlife research. Further studies should assess the impacts of different drones on other taxa, and monitor physiological indicators of stress in animals exposed to drones according to group sizes and reproductive status.

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The Eye in the Sky: Combined Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems and GPS Data Loggers for Ecological Research and Conservation of Small Birds

Cited by 91 publications

References 33 publications

Wildlife research and management methods in the 21st century: Where do unmanned aircraft fit in?

Wildlife research and management methods in the 21st century: Where do unmanned aircraft fit in?

Small Drones for Community-Based Forest Monitoring: An Assessment of Their Feasibility and Potential in Tropical Areas

Approaching birds with drones: first experiments and ethical guidelines

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