Existing and emerging uses of drones in restoration ecology
Journal article
Robinson, Jake, Harrison, Peter, Mavoa, Suzanne and Breed, Martin. (2022). Existing and emerging uses of drones in restoration ecology. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 13(9), pp. 1899-1911. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13912
Authors | Robinson, Jake, Harrison, Peter, Mavoa, Suzanne and Breed, Martin |
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Abstract | 1. In the absence of effective and scalable human intervention, up to 95% of the world's ecosystems will be affected by anthropogenic degradation by 2050. Therefore, immediate and large-scale ecological restoration is imperative to stem biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline. Ecologists must draw upon the most effective and efficient tools available to achieve successful restoration goals. Drones (i.e., unmanned aerial vehicles) are a valuable set of tools in the environmental, forestry, and agriculture sectors; however, there has been limited uptake in restoration ecology. 2. Here, we aim to highlight the existing and emerging uses of drones in restoration science and practice. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these applications and provide a roadmap for increasing the utilisation of drones to refine and enhance restoration objectives. Our article is presented with the restoration continuum in mind, including sections for restoration planning, implementation and monitoring. We also take a novel approach by describing how drones relate to a globally recognised restoration tool published by the Society for Ecological Restoration. 3. Drones are used in several restoration scenarios from mapping habitats and managing wildfires, to monitoring the effectiveness of restoration interventions. Many applications in other disciplines can also be transferred to restoration scenarios. However, the use of drones will be context-dependent, and several technical and practical constraints need to be addressed. 4. Drones have considerable potential to improve the science and practice of restoration at all stages of a restoration project, which is vital to realising the goals of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. |
Keywords | drones; ecological restoration; innovation; remote sensing; restoration ecology; UAVs; UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration; unmanned aerial vehicles |
Year | 2022 |
Journal | Methods in Ecology and Evolution |
Journal citation | 13 (9), pp. 1899-1911 |
Publisher | John Wiley & Sons Ltd |
ISSN | 2041-210X |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13912 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85132689211 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Page range | 1899-1911 |
Funder | Australian Research Council (ARC) |
University of Melbourne | |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 26 Jun 2022 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 30 May 2022 |
Deposited | 15 Sep 2023 |
ARC Funded Research | This output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8z9y3/existing-and-emerging-uses-of-drones-in-restoration-ecology
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Publisher's version
OA_Robinson_2022_Existing_and_emerging_uses_of_drones.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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