Heating decoys to mimic thermal signatures of live animals for drones DOI Creative Commons
Landon R. Jones,

Cerise Mensah,

Jared A. Elmore

et al.

MethodsX, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13, P. 102933 - 102933

Published: Aug. 30, 2024

Thermal sensors mounted on drones (unoccupied aircraft systems) are popular and effective tools for monitoring cryptic animal species, although few studies have quantified sampling error of counts from thermal images. Using decoys is one strategy to quantify bias count accuracy; however, plastic do not mimic signatures representative species. Our objective was produce heat in realistically match images live animals obtained a drone-based sensor. We tested commercially available methods three different size classes, including chemical foot warmers, manually heated water, electric socks, pad, or blanket, mini small space heaters. used criteria two categories, 1) external temperature differences ambient temperatures (ambient difference) 2) color bins palette drone near the ground air, determine if adequately matched respective four body regions. Three achieved similar regions predominantly corresponding yellow air. Pigeon were best most consistently with three-foot warmers. Goose deer by heaters, respectively, their cavities, sock head goose decoy. The materials equipment our heating relatively inexpensive, items that provide sustained could be adapted various shapes sizes wide range avian mammalian future validate methodologies surveys sensors.•We determined optimal inexpensive animals.•Methods improve studies.

Language: Английский

Developing a new method using thermal drones for population surveys of the world's rarest great ape species, Pongo tapanuliensis DOI Creative Commons
Dede Aulia Rahman,

Haryanto R. Putro,

Tubagus Ahmad Mufawwaz

et al.

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e03463 - e03463

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Real-Time UAV Surveys with the Modular Detection and Targeting System: Balancing Wide-Area Coverage and High-Resolution Precision in Wildlife Monitoring DOI Creative Commons
Ben Bartlett, Matheus Santos,

Tom Dorian

et al.

Remote Sensing, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(5), P. 879 - 879

Published: March 1, 2025

This study presents a real-time, adaptive UAV system designed to enhance ecological surveys by overcoming the trade-off between wide-area coverage and high-resolution data collection. The Modular Detection Targeting System (MDTS) integrates thermal imaging for broad detection RGB zoom precise species identification. Field trials demonstrated system’s ability detect record both avian mammalian with significantly reduced redundant improved survey efficiency. Compared traditional methods, MDTS achieved over 300-fold improvements in image resolution up 1000-fold reduction volume. modular design enables rapid adaptation diverse applications, providing classification-ready while minimizing post-processing demands. These results highlight as scalable, efficient tool wildlife monitoring environmental research, bridging gap actionable insights.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Drone noise differs by flight maneuver and model: implications for animal surveys DOI Creative Commons

Erin N. Macke,

Landon R. Jones, Raymond B. Iglay

et al.

Drone Systems and Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12, P. 1 - 5

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Drones are becoming a common tool for animal monitoring; however, sound emitted from drones may disturb animals and bias survey results. Understanding noise levels produced by different flight maneuvers, altitudes (i.e., above ground level (AGL)), drone models could mitigate disturbance during surveys. We measured maximum (dB) three maneuvers (hovering, flyover, turning) among eight AGLs (15–120 m) two vertical (ascending descending) four commercially available quadcopter (DJI Matrice 300, 200, Phantom 3, Autel Evo II), accounting wind speed comparing to ambient (background) noise. Ascending, descending, hovering more compared flyover turning maneuvers. One large (Matrice 4.7 kg) than the smaller (Evo II, 1.2 kg 1.1 kg). However, largest 6.4 similar was quietest all 75 120 m AGL, providing potential size advantages with less disturbance. Our results indicate that flights consisting of likely cause surveys prolonged over animals.

Language: Английский

Citations

3
Ship Emission Measurements Using Multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Review DOI Creative Commons

Lukas Šaparnis,

Paulius Rapalis, Vygintas Daukšys

et al.

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(7), P. 1197 - 1197

Published: July 17, 2024

This review investigates the ship emission measurements using multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The monitoring of emissions from shipping is a priority globally, because necessity to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, there widespread global effort extensively measure vessel fuel sulfur content (FSC). majority studies indicate that more commonly used methods for measuring with UAVs sniffing method. Most research concerned determining content. Fuel can be determined by ratio CO2 SO2 concentration in exhaust plume. For CO2, non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) method used, most common range reaches 0–2000 ppm, overall 0–10,000 detection accuracy ±5–300 ppm. SO2, electrochemical (EC) 0–100 ±5 Common UAV characteristics, measurement ships, involve following: 8–10 m/s wind resistance, 5–6 kg maximum payload, flight distance ranging 5 10 km. change near future, since variety devices mounted on are available market. elements differs device device, but ranges allowed provides good possibilities wider into

Language: Английский

Citations

3
Choosing the best small‐mammal survey method to maximize efficiency and accurately inform wildlife hazard management at airports DOI Creative Commons
Aaron B. Shiels, Scott F. Beckerman, Bradley F. Blackwell

et al.

Wildlife Society Bulletin, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

Abstract Small mammals compose a prey base for larger predators, species that pose animal‐aircraft collision risk (strike risk). Surveys of small at airports inform relative abundance estimates, information used by airport biologists to direct management reduce strike risk. New survey technologies present an opportunity evaluate best‐management‐practices small‐mammal methods. Our objectives were 1) describe the environment and reasoning conducting population 2) review goals surveys airports, 3) conduct formal literature methods 4) compare/contrast types designs, 5) identify most promising method(s). A desired method provides (not absolute) estimate, is accurate, labor‐ cost‐efficient, repeatable, poses little hazard operations. For each method, we provided advantages disadvantages, common biases, units measurement, time from data collection indices, equipment costs, labor costs. Eight assessed use in settings, including snap‐traps, live‐traps, active burrows, trail cameras, tracking tunnels, chew blocks/cards, thermal optics, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). We identified snap‐traps tunnels as 2 considering breadth applications across land covers climate, given their low moderate short deployment calculating estimate (e.g., individuals per trap or tunnel nights). Although newer surveying are available, they weaker candidates because reduced detections dense grass (thermal cameras), extensive image processing times UAS), challenges with permit acquisition UAS). Methods should be revisited periodically alternative methods/technologies could offer advances via automation equal enhanced accuracy. Airport wildlife managers consider various options when choosing appropriate capitalize on accuracy, efficiency, safety.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Aerial Wildlife Image Repository for animal monitoring with drones in the age of artificial intelligence DOI Creative Commons
Sathishkumar Samiappan, Krishnan Balasubramaniam,

Damion Dehart

et al.

Database, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Drones (unoccupied aircraft systems) have become effective tools for wildlife monitoring and conservation. Automated animal detection classification using artificial intelligence (AI) can substantially reduce logistical financial costs improve drone surveys. However, the lack of annotated imagery training AI is a critical bottleneck in achieving accurate performance algorithms compared to other fields. To bridge this gap help advance standardize automated classification, we created Aerial Wildlife Image Repository (AWIR), which dynamic, interactive database with images captured from platforms visible thermal cameras. The AWIR provides first open-access repository users upload, annotate, curate animals acquired drones. also benchmark datasets that download train automatically detect classify animals, compare algorithm performance. contains 6587 objects 1325 predominantly large birds mammals 13 species open areas North America. As contributors increase taxonomic geographic diversity available images, will future avenues research surveys drones conservation applications. Database URL: https://projectportal.gri.msstate.edu/awir/.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Evaluating Thermal Infrared Drone Flight Parameters on Spider Monkey Detection in Tropical Forests DOI Creative Commons
Eduardo José Pinel-Ramos, Filippo Aureli, Serge A. Wich

et al.

Sensors, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(17), P. 5659 - 5659

Published: Aug. 30, 2024

Geoffroy's spider monkeys, an endangered, fast-moving arboreal primate species with a large home range and high degree of fission-fusion dynamics, are challenging to survey in their natural habitats. Our objective was evaluate how different flight parameters affect the detectability monkeys videos recorded by drone equipped thermal infrared camera examine level agreement between coders. We used generalized linear mixed models impact speed (2, 4, 6 m/s), height (40, 50 m above ground level), angle (-45°, -90°) on monkey counts closed-canopy forest Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. results indicate that none three affected number detected monkeys. Agreement coders "substantial" (Fleiss' kappa coefficient = 0.61-0.80) most cases for thermal-contrast zones. study contributes development standardized protocols, which essential obtain accurate data presence abundance wild populations. Based our results, we recommend performing surveys other medium-sized mammals small commercial at 4 m/s speed, 15 canopy height, -90° angle. However, these recommendations may vary depending size noise produced model.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
An unmanned aerial vehicle pipeline to estimate body volume at scale for ecological monitoring DOI Creative Commons
Thomas C. Stone, Katrina Davis

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 23, 2023

Abstract Demographic data are essential to construct mechanistic models understand how populations change over time and in response global threats like climate change. Existing demographic either lacking or insufficient for many species, particularly those that challenging study, such as marine mammals. A pipeline collecting accurate robust at scale would fill this knowledge gap including mammals pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, walruses). We introduce a non-invasive estimate the 3D body size (volume) of species will allow monitoring high spatial temporal scales. Our integrates structure-from-motion photogrammetry collected via planned flight missions using off-the-shelf, multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). apply validate on grey seal Halichoerus grypus , spends much its but is predictably observable during annual breeding season. investigate optimal ground sampling distance (GSD) surveys by calculating success rates accuracy volume estimates individuals different elevations. establish an GSD 0.8 cm px -1 animals similar UK seals (∼1.4 - 2.5 m length), making our reproducible applicable broad range organisms. Volume were could be made up 68% hauled-out study areas. Finally, we highlight six key traits make well-suited estimating following pipeline. Good candidates include large reptiles crocodiles, hippopotamus, shrubs bushes deserts Mediterranean habitats. accurately individual macrovertebrates time-and cost-effective manner whilst minimising disturbance. Whilst approach applied here, adaptable taxa otherwise study. proposed therefore opens previously inaccessible areas Tree Life studies, which improve ability protect conserve these into future.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Wildlife monitoring with drones: A survey of end users DOI Creative Commons
Raymond B. Iglay, Landon R. Jones, Jared A. Elmore

et al.

Wildlife Society Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 48(3)

Published: June 24, 2024

Abstract Rapid advancements in technology often yield research inquiry into novel applications and drone (i.e., unoccupied aircraft systems or UAS) wildlife management are no exception. We questioned the time lag between drone‐related end‐user assessments. implemented an online, cross‐sectional survey of professionals to better understand current use benefits concerns, complemented by a review contemporary peer‐reviewed gray literature. found little disparity scientific experiences similar trends among concerns published literature results). Exploring new computer vision) refining original evaluating animal behavior responses during monitoring) were strong pilots relatively minimal experience (1–5 years). Advancements changes legislation will continue offer challenges.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Heating decoys to mimic thermal signatures of live animals for drones DOI Creative Commons
Landon R. Jones,

Cerise Mensah,

Jared A. Elmore

et al.

MethodsX, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13, P. 102933 - 102933

Published: Aug. 30, 2024

Thermal sensors mounted on drones (unoccupied aircraft systems) are popular and effective tools for monitoring cryptic animal species, although few studies have quantified sampling error of counts from thermal images. Using decoys is one strategy to quantify bias count accuracy; however, plastic do not mimic signatures representative species. Our objective was produce heat in realistically match images live animals obtained a drone-based sensor. We tested commercially available methods three different size classes, including chemical foot warmers, manually heated water, electric socks, pad, or blanket, mini small space heaters. used criteria two categories, 1) external temperature differences ambient temperatures (ambient difference) 2) color bins palette drone near the ground air, determine if adequately matched respective four body regions. Three achieved similar regions predominantly corresponding yellow air. Pigeon were best most consistently with three-foot warmers. Goose deer by heaters, respectively, their cavities, sock head goose decoy. The materials equipment our heating relatively inexpensive, items that provide sustained could be adapted various shapes sizes wide range avian mammalian future validate methodologies surveys sensors.•We determined optimal inexpensive animals.•Methods improve studies.

Language: Английский

Citations

0