UAS Program Development for Conservation Professionals
Definition
Activities:
Needs Assessment
Mission Planning
Regulatory Compliance
Aircraft Selection
Types of UAS platforms (fixed-wing, multirotor, etc.)
- Multirotor UAS
- Fixed-Wing UAS
- Hybrid UAS
- Single-Rotor and Helicopter UAS
- Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAS
- Single-Use or Custom-Built UAS
Ground Control System Setup
Pilot Training
Payload Selection
RGB Cameras
Description: Standard RGB (Red, Green, Blue) cameras capture visible light imagery in full color.
Use Cases: Aerial photography for habitat mapping, vegetation analysis, and visual documentation of ecosystems.
Multispectral and Hyperspectral Cameras
Description: These cameras capture imagery in multiple narrow bands across the electromagnetic spectrum.
Use Cases: Monitoring vegetation health, identifying invasive species, and analyzing soil composition.
Thermal Infrared (IR) Cameras
Description: Thermal IR cameras detect heat signatures and temperature variations.
Use Cases: Wildlife tracking, identifying animal activity, locating warm-blooded species, and monitoring temperature-related changes in ecosystems.
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)
Description: LiDAR sensors use laser beams to measure distances and create detailed 3D models of terrain and vegetation.
Use Cases: Terrain mapping, forest structure analysis, canopy height measurement, and flood modeling.
Gas and Environmental Sensors
Description: Various gas and environmental sensors can measure parameters such as air quality, humidity, temperature, and pollution.
Use Cases: Environmental monitoring, pollution detection, and assessing air and water quality.
Aerial Lidar (Airborne Laser Scanning)
Description: Aerial LiDAR systems provide high-resolution topographic data and can penetrate dense vegetation.
Use Cases: Forest inventory, mapping of river systems, and assessing terrain changes over time.
High-Resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)
Description: DEMs provide detailed topographic information by capturing elevation data.
Use Cases: Erosion assessment, habitat modeling, and flood risk analysis.
GPS and GNSS Receivers
Description: These receivers provide precise positioning data for accurate georeferencing of collected data.
Use Cases: Geospatial data collection, mapping, and spatial analysis.
Cameras with Zoom or Variable Lenses
Description: Cameras with adjustable lenses allow for zooming in on specific targets or areas of interest.
Use Cases: Detailed wildlife observation, species identification, and behavioral studies.
Communication and Data Relay Equipment
Description: Communication systems enable real-time data transfer between the UAS and the ground control station.
Use Cases: Remote monitoring, data transmission in challenging terrains, and collaborative research.
Bait Release Systems
Description: Some UAS can be equipped with bait release mechanisms for wildlife research or conservation efforts.
Use Cases: Baited camera traps, wildlife tracking, and population studies.
Droplet Dispensing Systems
Description: Droplet dispensing systems are used for targeted aerial pesticide or seed dispersal for habitat restoration or pest control.
Use Cases: Reforestation, invasive species control, and precision agriculture in conservation contexts.
Water Sampling and Water Quality Sensors
Description: Water sampling systems collect water samples from bodies of water, while water quality sensors measure parameters such as pH, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen.
Use Cases: Assessing water quality in rivers, lakes, and wetlands, and monitoring aquatic ecosystems.
Gas Sensors
Description: Gas sensors detect specific gases, such as methane or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), to assess air or soil quality.
Use Cases: Monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, soil contamination, and air quality in conservation areas.
Radar and Sonar Systems
Description: Radar and sonar systems provide non-visual, remote sensing capabilities to detect objects or map underwater environments.
Use Cases: Detecting wildlife, including marine mammals or underwater structures, and studying aquatic ecosystems.
Budgeting
Establishing Procedures
UAS Program Management for Conservation Professionals
Definition
Activities:
Mission Execution
Maintenance
Regular maintenance and inspection of UAS equipment to ensure airworthiness and reliability. Document, Document, Document!
Data Management
Regulatory Compliance
Safety and Risk Management
Personnel Management
Budget Management
Reporting and Documentation
Quality Assurance
Adaptation and Improvement
In summary, UAS Program Development is the initial phase focused on setting up the program, while UAS Program Management involves the ongoing operations and administration of the program once it’s established.
Both phases are essential for the successful implementation of a UAS program, with development providing the foundation, and management ensuring its continued effectiveness and compliance with regulations and objectives.
