Conservation Drones

I discovered the work of Serge A. Wich and Lian Pin Koh via their website Conservation Drones.

This page summarizes graphically some of their work and explains what are conservation drones, when to use them and typical conservation missions.

For the interested readers, I put the corresponding chapter from their book [1].

1 Conservation drones?

2 Examples of conservation missions for drones

3 Steps before flying conservation drones

3.1 Consider if it is worth using drones.

3.2 Choose a type of drone

3.3 Check parameters before the flights

4 Some conservation projects using drones

1 Conservation drones?

“Conservation drones are low-cost, autonomous, and operator-friendly unmanned aerial vehicles that can be used for surveying, mapping, and monitoring both habitat and biodiversity”, back cover of [1].

This page (of conservation drone website) gives a list of commercial drones that have been used for conservation missions.

2 Examples of conservation missions for drones

(Chapters 4, 5 and 6 of [1])

Surveillance (Maritime/Terrestrial)

Mapping

Animal detection

Anti-poaching efforts

3 Steps before flying conservation drones

(Chapter 1 of [1])

3.1 Consider if it is worth using drones.

Could the conservation mission be done with alternative technology:

Manned planes and helicopters

Satellites

Kites

Balloons and blimps

3.2 Choose a type of drone

Some examples of drones:

Multirotor

Fixed wing

Hybrid VTOL

Ornithopter

3.3 Check important parameters before the flights

Some examples of important parameters:

Terrain

Weather

High altitude flying

Landing area

Regulations

4 Some conservation projects using drones