scholarly journals Determination of Riparian Vegetation Biomass from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1566
Author(s):  
Alessandro Matese ◽  
Andrea Berton ◽  
Valentina Chiarello ◽  
Riccardo Dainelli ◽  
Carla Nati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Land Reclamation ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
River System ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Wood Biomass ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Ground Monitoring

The need to rely on accurate information about the wood biomass available in riparian zones under management, inspired the land reclamation authority of southern Tuscany to develop a research based on the new remote sensing technologies. With this aim, a series of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight campaigns flanked by ground-data collection were carried out on 5 zones and 15 stream reaches belonging to 3 rivers and 7 creeks, being representative of the whole area under treatment, characterized by a heterogeneous spatial distribution of trees and shrubs of different sizes and ages, whose species’ mix is typical of this climatic belt. A careful preliminary analysis of the zones under investigation, based on the available local orthophotos, followed by a quick pilot inspection of the riverbank segments selected for trials, was crucial for choosing the test sites. The analysis of a dataset composed of both measured and remotely sensed acquired parameters allowed a system of four allometric models to be built for estimating the trees’ biomass. All four developed models showed good results, with the highest correlation found in the fourth model (Model 4, R2 = 0.63), which also presented the lowest RMSE (0.09 Mg). The biomass values calculated with Model 4 were in line with those provided by the land reclamation authority for selective thinning, ranging from 38.9 to 70.9 Mg ha−1. Conversely, Model 2 widely overestimated the actual data, while Model 1 and Model 3 offered intermediate results. The proposed methodology based on these new technologies enabled an accurate estimation of the wood biomass in a riverbank environment, overcoming the limits of a traditional ground monitoring and improving management strategies to benefit the river system and its ecosystems.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Forest Remote Sensing—A Systematic Review. Part II: Research Applications

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 397
Author(s):  
Riccardo Dainelli ◽  
Piero Toscano ◽  
Salvatore Filippo Di Gennaro ◽  
Alessandro Matese
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spectral Signature ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Data Interoperability ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Management Context ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

Forest sustainable management aims to maintain the income of woody goods for companies, together with preserving non-productive functions as a benefit for the community. Due to the progress in platforms and sensors and the opening of the dedicated market, unmanned aerial vehicle–remote sensing (UAV–RS) is improving its key role in the forestry sector as a tool for sustainable management. The use of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) in precision forestry has exponentially increased in recent years, as demonstrated by more than 600 references published from 2018 until mid-2020 that were found in the Web of Science database by searching for “UAV”+“forest”. This result is even more surprising when compared with similar research for “UAV”+“agriculture”, from which emerge about 470 references. This shows how UAV–RS research forestry is gaining increasing popularity. In Part II of this review, analyzing the main findings of the reviewed papers (227), numerous strengths emerge concerning research technical issues. UAV–RS is fully applicated for obtaining accurate information from practical parameters (height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and biomass). Research effectiveness and soundness demonstrate that UAV–RS is now ready to be applied in a real management context. Some critical issues and barriers in transferring research products are also evident, namely,(1) hyperspectral sensors are poorly used, and their novel applications should be based on the capability of acquiring tree spectral signature especially for pest and diseases detection, (2) automatic processes for image analysis are poorly flexible or based on proprietary software at the expense of flexible and open-source tools that can foster researcher activities and support technology transfer among all forestry stakeholders, and (3) a clear lack exist in sensors and platforms interoperability for large-scale applications and for enabling data interoperability.

Spatial Dynamic Analysis of a Mangeove Patch Based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: A Case Study in Pear Bay in Guangxi, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Lin ◽  
Chungan Li ◽  
Mei Zhou ◽  
Wenhai Liang ◽  
Biao Li
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
Maximum Error ◽  
Canopy Height ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Maximum Absolute Error ◽  
Patch Area ◽  
Maximum Increase ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

Abstract This study investigated the short-term spatial variability of an mangrove patch, located in the Pearl Bay in Guangxi, China. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery covering the period from March 2015 to October 2017 were used and the following models were developed: two annual ultra-high resolution spatial resolution digital orthophoto maps (DOMs), two digital elevation models (DEMs), two digital surface models (DSMs), two canopy height models (CHMs), and a canopy height difference model (d-CHM). Using these models, the spatial dynamics of the extent and canopy height of the patch were analyzed. The resolution of the DOMs was 0.1 m, with an average geometrical error of 0.17 m and a maximum error of 0.44 m. The resolutions of DEMs, DSMs, CHMs, d-CHM were all 1 m. The average elevation errors of CHM in 2015 and 2017 were 0.002 m and -0.001 m, respectively, with maximum absolute errors of 0.034 m and 0.030 m, respectively. The average elevation error of d-CHM was -0.003 m and the maximum absolute error was 0.036 m, and the data quality were rated as good. From 2015 to 2017, the area of the mangrove patch increased from 8.16 ha to 8.79 ha, with an average annual increase of 3.7%. Specifically, the areas of expansion, shrinkage, and maximum seaward expansion were 6356 m2, 19 m2, and 24 m, respectively. The driving factor for the variability was natural processes. Stand canopy height exhibited a particular trend of decrease from northwest to southeast (horizontal; parallel to the seawall) and from the land to the sea (vertically; perpendicular to the seawall). From 2015 to 2017, 88.2% of the patch area showed increased canopy height, with an average increase of 0.78 m and a maximum increase of 3.2 m. In contrast, 11.8% of the patch area showed decreased canopy height with a maximum decrease of 3.1 m. The main reason for the decrease in canopy height was the death of trees caused by serious insect plagues. On the other hand, the reason for the increase in height could be attributed to the natural growth of mangrove trees, but further studies are required to verify the cause. UAV remote sensing has an incomparable advantage over traditional methods in that it provides extremely detailed and highly accurate information for in-depth study of the spatial evolution of mangrove patches, which would significantly contribute towards the protection and management of mangroves.

scholarly journals Review: Cost-Effective Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Platform for Field Plant Breeding Application

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 998 ◽  
Author(s):  
GyuJin Jang ◽  
Jaeyoung Kim ◽  
Ju-Kyung Yu ◽  
Hak-Jin Kim ◽  
Yoonha Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Breeding ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
New Wave ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Modern Agriculture ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
High Throughput Phenotyping

Utilization of remote sensing is a new wave of modern agriculture that accelerates plant breeding and research, and the performance of farming practices and farm management. High-throughput phenotyping is a key advanced agricultural technology and has been rapidly adopted in plant research. However, technology adoption is not easy due to cost limitations in academia. This article reviews various commercial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms as a high-throughput phenotyping technology for plant breeding. It compares known commercial UAV platforms that are cost-effective and manageable in field settings and demonstrates a general workflow for high-throughput phenotyping, including data analysis. The authors expect this article to create opportunities for academics to access new technologies and utilize the information for their research and breeding programs in more workable ways.

About the repair of closed tubular drainage of the land reclamation section of an agricultural field in the Pskov region

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-18
Author(s):  
Georgiy Gulyuk ◽  
Evgeniy Kuzenek ◽  
Aleksey Ivanov ◽  
Yuri Yanko ◽  
Aleksey Petrushin
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Land Reclamation ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Pskov Region ◽  
Drainage Line ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Drainage Pipe ◽  
Reclamation System ◽  
Guaranteed Service ◽  
Research Institute

On the lands of the Trigorskoye farm, in September 2020, an offsite seminar was held by the section of reclamation of agricultural lands of the Scientific Council of the Agrophysical Research Institute. The seminar participants included more than 30 specialists in the field of agricultural reclamation. The work on cleaning the tubular collector from the flow regulator well with the Poseidon installation with a jet flushing nozzle was demonstrated. The results of the removal of sludge from the tubular collector were verified by the method of excavation and extraction of pipes from the drainage line. Experts of the Agrophysical Research Institute, using an unmanned aerial vehicle, surveyed a section of the drainage reclamation system in order to determine the locations of faults in the closed tubular drainage. The results of the studies obtained will be used by the design and operating organizations of the Pskov region in the development of new technologies for restoring the operation of the drainage pipe drainage with its expired guaranteed service life.

scholarly journals Accurate Estimation the Scanning Cycle of the Reconnaissance Radar Based on a Single Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

IEEE Access ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 22871-22879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengwu Wan ◽  
Benjian Hao ◽  
Zan Li ◽  
Xiao Ma ◽  
Yue Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

scholarly journals Using unmanned aerial vehicle for identifying the vegetative vigor and quantify the area occupied by eucalyptus sprouts after chemical weeding in the state of Bahia, Brazil

2020 ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Caique Carvalho Medauar ◽  
Samuel de Assis Silva ◽  
Luis Carlos Cirilo Carvalho ◽  
Rafael Augusto Soares Tibúrcio ◽  
Paullo Augusto Silva Medauar
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Supervised Classification ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

Currently, the efficiency of chemical weeding for controlling eucalyptus sprouts is measured by field sampling, but the inefficiency of the sampling methods has led to the investigation of new technologies, such as using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to help to identify the vegetative vigor of eucalyptus after chemical weeding. This study, therefore, used aerial images obtained by a UAV embedded with a sensor to identify the vegetative vigor and quantify the area occupied by eucalyptus sprouts 90 days after the chemical weeding. The study was conducted in three fields planted with eucalyptus whose sprouts had been previously controlled by the chemical weeding with the Scout® herbicide in November 2016. The vegetative vigor of the eucalyptus sprouts was evaluated from the aerial images obtained by the UAV with embedded sensor, during flights conducted in November 2016 and February 2017, that were used to calculate the normalized difference vegetation index and later, a random sample grid was constructed for each image by supervised classification of the area (m2) to determine the percentage occupied by the sprouts. The used chemical control method neither eradicated the sprouts nor reduced the sprout occupied area. The normalized difference vegetation index and supervised classification tools allowed determining with high precision sprout health status and size, generating interpretable data on the different evaluated fields and periods. The processing of the images obtained by the UAV provided a viable alternative of management to evaluate sprout status in reforestation areas.

Research of Redundancy Management on Fight Control Computer for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

2011 ◽  
Vol 383-390 ◽  
pp. 1573-1577
Author(s):  
Lu Liu ◽  
Xin Chen ◽  
Dong Cao
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Flight Control ◽  
Fault Tolerant ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Transmission Characteristics ◽  
Redundancy Management ◽  
System Reconfiguration ◽  
Control Computer ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Application Requirements

Redundancy technology is very important to improve the reliability and fault tolerant of redundant flight control computer for unmanned aerial vehicle. The key technology is redundancy management strategies and methods. The redundancy management strategies and methods are researched based on hardware redundancy and software management for the sample redundant flight control computer The redundancy management strategies make full use of the advantages of distributed systems and the CAN bus transmission characteristics, and solve the problem of fault diagnosis and fault treatment and system reconfiguration. Results show that the strategies meet the design specifications of application requirements.

Prospects for unmanned aerial vehicles market development in Poland

2018 ◽  
Vol 123 ◽  
pp. 41-53
Author(s):  
Andrzej Kochan ◽  
Anna Kruk ◽  
Paulina Rutkowska
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Unmanned Aircraft ◽  
Market Development ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Standards And Regulations ◽  
The Government ◽  
Examination Board

Currently, the law on the use of unmanned aircraft is passed individually in each EU member state. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) intends to create uniform community rules, that will regulate UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) flights in each EU country. The main assumptions of the strategics proposed in the draft document prepared by EASA "Introduction of regulatory framework for the use of drones" is the division of flights into categories: open, special and certified, as well as the implementation of the U-Space concept, a platform for the management of unmanned aerial traffic. The article presents provisions regarding the use of unmanned aircraft in Polish airspace in accordance with current standards and regulations. The conditions for obtaining operator qualification certificates (UAVO) are also described, as well as the permissions for the operators, both basic and additional, and the process of obtaining them. These permissions are issued in the form of a qualification certificate after completing the theoretical and practical training and passing the state examination in presence of the examination board in the scope required for obtaining these qualifications. In addition, the authors presented the conditions for performing UAV flights in the airspace structures of FIR Warsaw. The article presents the prospects for unmanned aerial vehicle market development by identifying new legal challenges proposed by EASA, and the outlines of both the draft of the new Regulation as well as the government programme called "Zwirko and Wigura", an initiative resulting from state actions for the development of new technologies, in particular the integrated management systems.

scholarly journals THE USE OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF NATURE PLAGUE FOCUS MONITORING

2018 ◽  
pp. 52-56
Author(s):  
V.M. Dubyanskiy ◽  
N.V. Tsapko ◽  
L.I. Shaposhnikova ◽  
D.Yu. Degtyarev ◽  
N.A. Davydova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

New technologies based on remote sensing, has been actively developing now for the increasing the effectiveness of nature plague foci monitoring. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) «GeoScan–101» was used for monitoring and for orthophoto creating. The monitoring was carried out at Caspian nature plague focus on a stationary square 4 ha. The accounting of rodents’ holes had been implemented previously. Gerbils Meriones tamariscinus is the host of plague microbe in the Caspian natural plague focus. The monitoring using UAV allows identifying 78,26 % of Meriones tamariscinus holes as well as Microtus socialis and Ellobius talpinus. The comprehensive using remote sensing from space and data from drone (a high-resolution picture in real time) for elaboration data of remote sensing allows increasing the effectiveness of nature plague foci survey, where the hosts have the holes small diameter: the gerbils' genus Meriones and the voles’ genus Microtus.

scholarly journals Unmanned Aerial Vehicle surveys for monitoring and managing river system: a case study in Valsassina (Northern Italy)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Cislaghi ◽  
Alessio Moscaritoli ◽  
Paolo Fogliata ◽  
Paolo Sala ◽  
Emanuele Morlotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Vegetation Change ◽  
Flash Flood ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
River System ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

<p>Hundreds of thousands of people live and work in areas at risk of flooding, especially into deep valleys over the Italian territory. Floods cause fatalities and considerable economic damages to infrastructures and to private and public properties, besides impacting on fluvial-geomorphic landforms. During the last decade, these extreme events are occourring more frequently, contributing to increase the public awareness on the potential damaging consequences, and on the demand of monitoring and post-event assessment procedures. However, an efficient, systematic and accurate framework of post-event actions aiming to document the impacts of such disasters in terms of flooded areas, meteorological controls, geomorphological and vegetation change, is rare.</p><p>On this background, the role of the post-event surveys is fundamental to provide information/data and to increase knowledge for improving forecasting and designing the countermeasures. Flood events documentation consists in a series of field- and desk-based activities that request considerable consuming resources (time and human) and a high level of technical expertise. The post-event analyses, then, should correctly balance the different activities and efforts to reduce time and costs and then become a part routine post-event procedure.</p><p>The present study shows the results of a field campaign carried out after a flash flood occurred on June 12th 2019 along a 2 km stretch of Pioverna torrent in Valsassina (Lombardy, Italy). The survey consisted in collecting meteorological data, and video and pictures taken by inhabitants and rescuers for reconstructing field evidences of flood and the peak discharge. Few weeks after the flood, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) captured multiple images that were processed by Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetric algorithms, together with permanent Ground Control Points (GCPs) positioned on the riverbed and the streambanks, in order to obtain a high-resolution topography data. The methodology is likely to be truly effective if a pre-event photogrammetric survey is available for the same stretch, as in the present case.</p><p>The UAV photogrammetric surveys expected to be able to detect: (i) the geomorphological changes including streambank erosion, sediment deposition and the general stream evolution; (ii) the flood-damaged areas including buildings and roads (useful for estimating economic losses) and hydraulic structures (useful for giving a priority to the restoration works); (iii) the change in vegetation patterns that strongly influence the fluvial geomorphological processes.</p><p>In such a perspective, a simple methodology has been developed and applied to obtain a good balance between accuracy, time-consuming, efforts and collected data. In addition, it has been showed how the post-flood campaign has a strategic significance for a wide spectrum of multidisciplinary aspects (damage assessment, hydraulics, and ecology) and allows to rapidly reconstruct the flood event and its consequences. Standardizing such procedure should be extremely important to collect similar data, useful to improve specific guidelines and post-emergency management plans.</p>

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