| Autor: |
Dulava, Sharon1, Bean, William T.1, Richmond, Orien M. W.2 |
| Předmět: |
|
| Zdroj: |
Environmental Practice. Sep2015, Vol. 17 Issue 3, p201-210. 10p. |
| Abstrakt: |
Utilizing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) can be an efficient and repeatable means of surveying wildlife, especially waterbirds. As with any technology in its infancy, case studies offer opportunities to explore drawbacks and limitations, both anticipated and unanticipated. We examined the relationship between flight altitude and camera focal length on bird identification. We then conducted a post-hoc analysis to examine the effect of flight altitude on bird flushing behavior. We flew UAS missions at three locations in California and Nevada to assess the use of UAS for censusing non-nesting waterbirds. A minimum pixel resolution of approximately 5 mm was needed be able to identify most waterbird species from imagery. Sensors needed to be carefully calibrated in order to obtain images of sufficient quality to identify waterbirds over open water. Our results suggest that gas-powered UAS may result in increased rates of flushing at low flight altitudes for some waterbirds. With careful design of surveys and processing workflow, UAS show promise for censusing and monitoring waterbirds.Environmental Practice 17: 201–210 (2015) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
GreenFILE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|
