Use of Drones to Monitor and Aid Disaster Management Efforts of Natural Resources

Abstract

Natural disasters, such as tornados, high wind damage, lightning strikes, ice storms, snow storms, and historic flood events, can cause extensive damage to natural resources. Drones, with their ability to observe the surface of the earth from a distance can provide individuals involved with disaster management evaluation and cleanup effort’s information not accessible or not possible with a traditional field-based site visit. Faculty within the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University are researching and demonstrating how drones can be used in a host of natural resource activities including assisting disaster management efforts.