Early detection of invasive alien species (IAS) allows a rapid response to control the further spread of invading plants and animals.
Early detection of invasive alien species (IAS) allows a rapid response to control the further spread of invading plants and animals.
Remote sensing technology, in particular unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), can improve early detection in an efficient way. Drones can record high level resolution images (photographs and videos), repeatable at a relatively low cost, which are analyzed to locate, quantify and manage IAS, adding relevant value to monitoring projects.
Variables such as differences in chlorophyll color or number of holes made by insects on the trunk of trees can be monitored with the use of drones. Some experiences in the use of drones for IAS monitoring have been carried out, for instance, on the Asian longhorned beetle, the Japanese knotweed and the Giant hogweed. On the other hand, the use of drones is dependent on weather conditions, lighting, landscape structure and legal permits in urban areas, where further research and support is needed.
Data collected by drones can help landowners’ decision in managing eradication campaigns, and are used to create baseline maps to further follow the expansion of IAS. In addition, these data can also be later available for public use (e.g. in Google Earth), so anyone can access the location and distribution of the monitored species on their smartphone.
For more information:
https://forestinvasives.ca/NewRegulation/PostId/10/using-drones-to-detect-invasive-species
https://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/research/projects/mapping-invasive-plants