Awardee Name
New Knowledge Organization, Inc.
Project Title
Demonstration of the use of UAVs to survey and map active nest-sites to allow for the implementation of forest conservation practices during migratory bird breeding season and training of appropriate growers, land managers, and conservationists in their u
Awardee State/Territory
California
Involved States/territories
California
Award Year
2014
End Date
Award Amount
$74,500.00
Project Background
Title: Demonstration of the use of UAVs to survey and map active nest-sites to allow for the implementation of forest conservation practices during migratory bird breeding season and training of appropriate growers, land managers, and conservationists in their use for this purpose
Description: The use of UAV technology is growing rapidly in both the agricultural and ecological sectors, following the trend of GIS and satellite imagery and camera traps. The potential for UAVs in both arenas is only beginning to be tapped, and it is a very exciting time in the field, with early utilization proving significant value. By taking the detection of the nests off the ground and into the skies, and switching detection from the purely visual to the twin channels of visual and vegetation-penetrating infrared, this approach offers many advantages. Using aerial platforms, we eliminate the ground-based biases against heavy brush, inaccessible areas, and steep slopes. Aerial vehicles can also better adhere to sampling lines than a human observer can when traipsing through brush. In addition, the aerial platform surveys are non-intrusive, and does not disturb habitat. The utilization of infrared sensors will greatly improve the accuracy and precision of nest detection via heat signatures.
Lastly, UAV-based surveys will be faster than human based surveys, which will allow not only for quicker and cheaper surveys, but also for repeated survey’s over site during the restoration project, to ensure that nesting birds are not disturbed over the course of the project.
Description: The use of UAV technology is growing rapidly in both the agricultural and ecological sectors, following the trend of GIS and satellite imagery and camera traps. The potential for UAVs in both arenas is only beginning to be tapped, and it is a very exciting time in the field, with early utilization proving significant value. By taking the detection of the nests off the ground and into the skies, and switching detection from the purely visual to the twin channels of visual and vegetation-penetrating infrared, this approach offers many advantages. Using aerial platforms, we eliminate the ground-based biases against heavy brush, inaccessible areas, and steep slopes. Aerial vehicles can also better adhere to sampling lines than a human observer can when traipsing through brush. In addition, the aerial platform surveys are non-intrusive, and does not disturb habitat. The utilization of infrared sensors will greatly improve the accuracy and precision of nest detection via heat signatures.
Lastly, UAV-based surveys will be faster than human based surveys, which will allow not only for quicker and cheaper surveys, but also for repeated survey’s over site during the restoration project, to ensure that nesting birds are not disturbed over the course of the project.