Drones for Conservation in Protected Areas: Present and Future

Drones, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 3(1), P. 10 - 10

Published: Jan. 9, 2019

Park managers call for cost-effective and innovative solutions to handle a wide variety of environmental problems that threaten biodiversity in protected areas. Recently, drones have been called upon revolutionize conservation hold great potential evolve raise better-informed decisions assist management. Despite expectations, the benefits could bring foster effectiveness remain fundamentally unexplored. To address this gap, we performed literature review about use conservation. We selected total 256 studies, which 99 were carried out classified studies five distinct areas applications: “wildlife monitoring management”; “ecosystem monitoring”; “law enforcement”; “ecotourism”; “environmental management disaster response”. also identified specific gaps challenges would allow expansion critical research or monitoring. Our results support evidence merits serve actions reinforce effective management, but multidisciplinary must resolve operational analytical shortcomings undermine prospects integration

Language: Английский

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UAV remote sensing applications in marine monitoring: Knowledge visualization and review

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 838, P. 155939 - 155939

Published: May 13, 2022

Language: Английский

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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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Quantifying the movement, behaviour and environmental context of group‐living animals using drones and computer vision

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 92(7), P. 1357 - 1371

Published: March 21, 2023

Abstract Methods for collecting animal behaviour data in natural environments, such as direct observation and biologging, are typically limited spatiotemporal resolution, the number of animals that can be observed information about animals' social physical environments. Video imagery capture rich their but image‐based approaches often impractical due to challenges processing large complex multi‐image datasets transforming resulting data, locations, into geographical coordinates. We demonstrate a new system studying wild uses drone‐recorded videos computer vision automatically track location body posture free‐roaming georeferenced coordinates with high resolution embedded contemporaneous 3D landscape models surrounding area. provide two worked examples which we apply this approach gelada monkeys multiple species group‐living African ungulates. how simultaneously, classify individuals by age–sex class, estimate individuals' postures (poses) extract environmental features, including topography trails. By quantifying movement while reconstructing detailed model landscape, our opens door sensory ecology decision‐making within

Language: Английский

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Unoccupied Aircraft Systems in Marine Science and Conservation

Annual Review of Marine Science, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 11(1), P. 439 - 463

Published: July 18, 2018

The use of unoccupied aircraft systems (UASs, also known as drones) in science is growing rapidly. Recent advances microelectronics and battery technology have resulted the rapid development low-cost UASs that are transforming many industries. Drones poised to revolutionize marine conservation, they provide essentially on-demand remote sensing capabilities at low cost with reduced human risk. A variety multirotor, fixed-wing, transitional UAS platforms capable carrying various optical physical sampling payloads being employed almost every subdiscipline conservation. This article provides an overview sensors used conservation missions along example physical, biological, natural resource management applications typical analytical workflows. It concludes details on potential effects wildlife a look future

Language: Английский

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Operational Protocols for the Use of Drones in Marine Animal Research

Drones, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 4(4), P. 64 - 64

Published: Sept. 25, 2020

The use of drones to study marine animals shows promise for the examination numerous aspects their ecology, behaviour, health and movement patterns. However, responses some phyla presence varies broadly, as do general operational protocols used them. Inconsistent methodological approaches could lead difficulties comparing studies can call into question repeatability research. This review draws on current literature researchers with a wealth practical experience outline idiosyncrasies studying various taxa drones. We also best practice drone operation in environments based our field. outlined herein will be interested incorporating tool research help form consistent drone-based future.

Language: Английский

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Use of drones in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases: current status, challenges and barriers

Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 26(4), P. 425 - 430

Published: Sept. 28, 2019

Language: Английский

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Towards more compassionate wildlife research through the 3Rs principles: moving from invasive to non-invasive methods

Wildlife Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 2020(1)

Published: March 17, 2020

Research in ecology and wildlife biology remains crucial for increasing our knowledge improving species management conservation the midst of current biodiversity crisis. However, obtaining information on population status often involves invasive sampling a certain number individual animals. Marking practices include taking blood tissue samples, toe-clipping amphibians rodents, or using implants radio-transmitters – techniques that can negatively affect animal. Wildlife research may then result fundamental conflict between animal welfare ecosystem, which could be significantly reduced if non-invasive were more broadly implemented. Implementation methods guided by so-called 3Rs principles (replace, reduce, refine), proposed Russell Burch 60 years ago have become part many protection legislations worldwide. process incorporating into has been unfortunately rather slow their importance overlooked. In order to help alleviate this situation, here I provide an overview most common research, discuss potential impact welfare, present available alternatives.

Language: Английский

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Bottlenose Dolphins and Antillean Manatees Respond to Small Multi-Rotor Unmanned Aerial Systems

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: Sept. 12, 2018

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are powerful tools for research and monitoring of wildlife. However, the effects these on most marine mammals largely unknown, preventing establishment guidelines that will minimize animal disturbance. In this study, we evaluated behavioral responses coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) to small multi-rotor UAS flight. From 2015 2017, piloted 211 flights using DJI quadcopters (Phantom II Vision +, 3 Professional 4) approach follow animals over shallow-water habitats in Belize. The were equipped with high-resolution cameras observe during 138 flights, 73 flights. Aerial video observations behavior coded paired flight data determine whether activity and/or UAS's patterns caused changes exposed animals. Dolphins responded at altitudes 11–30 m, primarily when they alone or groups. Single one pair by orienting upward turning towards aircraft it, before quickly returning their pre-response activity. A higher number UAS, exhibiting strong disturbance response from 6–104 m. Manatees changed fleeing area sometimes elicited same nearby If pursued post-response, repeatedly overhead evading aircraft's path. These findings suggest invasiveness varies across individuals, species, taxa. We conclude careful exploratory is needed impact diverse develop best practices aimed reducing wildlife may result use.

Language: Английский

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Escape responses of terrestrial and aquatic birds to drones: Towards a code of practice to minimize disturbance

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 57(4), P. 777 - 785

Published: Jan. 28, 2020

Abstract Advances in human technology can lead to widespread and rapid increases interactions between wildlife potentially disturbing stimuli. The recreational use of drones is increasing, yet laws codes practice which aim manage deleterious impacts (e.g. negative with wildlife) are reactionary, unscientific inadequate. One prominent potential effect interacting birds disturbance; the disruption normal states caused by responses such as escape. We measure avian escape an approaching drone ( n = 561 across 22 species) inform development a code drone‐induced disturbance. Approaches were made at relatively high low altitude (10 4 m), different take‐off distances, both candidate prescriptions for practice. Flight‐initiation distance varied species, but not altitudes tested. probability eliciting response was high, 14.6% higher lower (at 88.4% overflies resulted response). Our rates (from terrestrial aquatic than those reported other places, most water or seabirds. itself (<20%) when >40 m away, decreased further increasing from birds, no escapes occurring >120 m. Policy implications. For our sample, closer 100 m, flight within would eliminate vast majority birds. Required separation distances may exceed required activities, walkers.

Language: Английский

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