Towards the fully automated monitoring of ecological communities

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(12), P. 2753 - 2775

Published: Oct. 20, 2022

Abstract High‐resolution monitoring is fundamental to understand ecosystems dynamics in an era of global change and biodiversity declines. While real‐time automated abiotic components has been possible for some time, biotic components—for example, individual behaviours traits, species abundance distribution—is far more challenging. Recent technological advancements offer potential solutions achieve this through: (i) increasingly affordable high‐throughput recording hardware, which can collect rich multidimensional data, (ii) accessible artificial intelligence approaches, extract ecological knowledge from large datasets. However, automating the facets communities via such technologies primarily achieved at low spatiotemporal resolutions within limited steps workflow. Here, we review existing data processing that enable communities. We then present novel frameworks combine technologies, forming fully pipelines detect, track, classify count multiple species, record behavioural morphological have previously impossible achieve. Based on these rapidly developing illustrate a solution one greatest challenges ecology: ability generate high‐resolution, standardised across complex ecologies.

Language: Английский

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Miniaturization eliminates detectable impacts of drones on bat activity

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(4), P. 842 - 851

Published: Jan. 21, 2022

Abstract Advances in operational simplicity and cost efficiency have promoted the rapid integration of unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) into ecological research, yet UAVs often disturb wildlife, potentially biasing measurements. Studies UAV effects on wildlife to date focused trajectory or distance; however, size noise could be critical variables influencing responses. Bats are cryptic species that difficult survey using conventional means, so we tested effectiveness drone‐based acoustic surveys for bats. We recorded number bat detections with without a present. used three small, commercial rotary varying intensity (249, 907, 1,380 g). Larger louder deterred significantly more bats, no effect take‐off distance activity. The smallest quietest model had similar change activity compared control Drone increased drone size, but all drones emitted range frequencies overlapped larger were also those most impacted by UAV. During 5‐minute surveys, there was evidence habituation although bats returned quickly once ended. urge researchers consider during surveys. Smaller quieter models negligible impacts eliminating impact some cases.

Language: Английский

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Advancing bat monitoring: Assessing the impact of unmanned aerial systems on bat activity

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(1), P. e0314679 - e0314679

Published: Jan. 22, 2025

With the increasing height and rotor diameter of wind turbines, bat activity monitoring within risk area becomes more challenging. This study investigates impact Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) on explores acoustic detection via UAS as a new data collection method in vicinity turbines. We tested two types UAS, multicopter Lighter Than Air (LTA) to understand how they may affect acoustically recorded analyzed level for three echolocation groups: Pipistrelloid, Myotini, Nyctaloid. hypothesized (i) that LTA will not levels while multicopter, due higher noise emission, might have negative impact. Our results support this hypothesis, because flights highly significant with medium effect size, particularly Myotini ( P < 0.001, d m = 0.54) Nyctaloid group n 0.55) small size Pipistrelloid p 0.36). In contrast, had no each > 0.05 group), suggesting its suitability non-intrusive monitoring. Furthermore, we (ii) larger propellers prevent deterrent bats. However, despite use compared previous studies, observed deterrence all groups. Additionally, (iii) any initial or attraction decrease over time. did hypothesis observe habituation bats 15-minute flight period. highlights potential but underscores critical importance selecting appropriate operating successful surveillance efforts.

Language: Английский

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Acoustic monitoring with miniature drones shows reduced Myotis bat occurrence with altitude and drone movement

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: April 10, 2025

Language: Английский

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Drone noise differs by flight maneuver and model: implications for animal surveys

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

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Attenuation of Responses of Waterbirds to Repeat Drone Surveys Involving a Sequence of Altitudes and Drone Types: A Case Study

Drones, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(8), P. 497 - 497

Published: July 28, 2023

Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS, or ‘drones’ hereafter) have potential for surveying waterbird species and habitats, but there is a risk that the disturbance from drones could compromise count accuracy bird welfare. We examined response of 16 to repeated up-and-back overhead drone flights (n = 50 flights) at multiple flight heights (80, 60, 40 20 m) using three common platforms (DJI Matrice 300, DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced Phantom 4). A ground observer scored species’ responses flights, which ranged no (no change initial behavior), vigilance (head turning tracking), movement within site (swimming, diving, into on water) substantial resulting in departure pond (fleeing). total 280 encounters with were observed. The most across all was (70.7%), followed by (27.5%), whereas more intense comparatively rare (1.8%). higher intensity during earlier before moderating substantially later flights. Thus, our case study provides first unambiguous evidence attenuation drones.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating Thermal Infrared Drone Flight Parameters on Spider Monkey Detection in Tropical Forests

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

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Drone‐mounted audio‐visual deterrence of bats: implications for reducing aerial wildlife mortality by wind turbines

Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9(3), P. 404 - 419

Published: Nov. 25, 2022

Abstract Wind energy is a major and rapidly expanding renewable source. Horizontal‐axis wind turbines, the main tool in this industry, induce mortality flying animals consequently bring about conservation concerns regulatory restrictions. We utilized unique combination of RADAR, LIDAR ultrasonic acoustic recorders to test utility novel technology meant prevent turbine‐related bats. Our drone‐mounted deterrent device produces pulsating strong auditory visual signals while moving through air. was used assess device's impact below its flight altitude RADAR influence above altitude. Continuous recordings from ground level ~400 m above‐ground‐level were monitor bat activity research site. recorded nightly altitudinal distributions multiple species throughout experiment. Analysis revealed significant change compared baseline conditions. also ~40% decrease ~50% increase deterrent's during operation post‐flight control. The tested independent farm activities does not require modifying turbine form or procedures. differs previously proposed solutions by being dynamic – airspace emitting constantly changing thus decreasing probability animal habituation. findings suggest that could dramatically deterring bats approaching rotor‐swept airspace. Focused implementation conditions where production are conflict may provide practical, cost‐effective mitigation solution current alternatives. Thus, our results should be considered wind‐turbine industry environmental monitoring organizations, as well agencies, when pursuing alleviation mortality.

Language: Английский

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Optimal settings and advantages of drones as a tool for canopy arthropod collection

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Oct. 26, 2022

Abstract The growing field of aeroecology is limited by difficulties associated with sampling in the air column. Aerial insects are particularly hard to sample, despite being main prey column, some recent studies attempting use drones as a collection method. We conducted study determine optimal drone settings for collecting above canopy, where seldom used. By attaching net body small, commercial drone, we tested yield from different height, speed, and wetlands, well compared insect diversity across habitat canopies. Height was most important setting; grazing canopy yielded significantly more than flying one meter it. Speed, type, size did not influence number caught per trial. Wetland canopies had higher abundance, diversity, species richness its arthropod populations forest or lakes. Compared Lindgren funnels—a traditional method entomology—drones captured abundance fraction time. This confirms that an efficient accurate way collect arthropods.

Language: Английский

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Wingbeat Over Wind Turbines: Autonomous Drones for Acoustic Bat Detection in Operational Wind Farms

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

The increasing number of wind turbines has a negative ecological impact on bats. To improve real-time acoustic bat monitoring at farms, this study investigated the technical requirements, options, and challenges operating autonomous unmanned aerial systems (UAS). use case required landing recharging, obstacle avoidance, noise mitigation. A real-world test suggested that single-anchor ultra-wideband ranging provided sufficient accuracy for landing, radar odometry to avoid turbine blades further research, UAS ultrasonic emissions overlapped with echolocation calls. For mitigation, found detector placed 10 m below source did not require attenuation, but system benefited from deep learning methods remove remaining noise. Our results demonstrate current state art potential research opportunities using smart curtailment strategies in balance renewable energy production wildlife conservation.

Language: Английский

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