Environmental

DRONES

Companies providing this

equipment

www.conservationdrones.org

www.ezdrone.com

www.precisionhawk.com

www.vito.be/EN/HomepageAdmin/Home/Overheden/mijnomgevin

g/AquaDrone/Pages/aquadrone.aspx

Many drones that are used in environmental studies are “kit builds.”

Typically custom built hexicopters.

Typical features

Aerial UAVs

1. Autonomous flight

2. Bird’s eye views

3. 3D terrain mapping

4. Plant surveys

5. Point source pollution detection

6. Thermal imagery to detect temperature fluctuations

7. Ability to carry a vast variety of equipment and tools

Water based UAVs

1. Water quality monitoring sensors

2. Hydrographic measurements

3. Identify water quality threats

Companies like conservation drones have

made these resources affordable and are

being instituted worldwide

Example of flight path plots

for different survey purposes

My company is currently

researching/implementing drones

Drones used are the DJI Phantom II (GoProcamera attached) and a custom hexicopter (16 lbs. payload)

Uses: monitoring, invasive species control (custom hexicopter carrying herbicide payloads to spray invasive patches), imagery compilation and analysis.

Pros/Cons

Pros- Reduction in field time, new perspectives of analysis, air transport of herbicides.

Cons- Liability issues, privacy concerns, etc.

Comparisons / Considerations for

drone purchase

Price

Carrying capacity

Maximum distance

Altitude capabilities

Desired utilization

Sources https://www.vito.be/EN/HomepageAdmin/Home/Overh

eden/mijnomgeving/AquaDrone/Pages/aquadrone.aspx

http://conservationdrones.org/

http://www.wcs.org/press/press-

releases/conservation-drones-in-belize.aspx

http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2014/03/19

/robot-eyes-protecting-from-above-drones-and-ocean-

conservation/

http://www.waterworld.com/articles/wwi/print/volum

e-29/issue-2/regulars/news/industry-news/drones-to-

control-monitor-and-treat-green-algae-blooms.html