A Uav-Based Roe Deer Fawn Detection System

Regular, standardized population inventories have been suggested as an important component to the recovery of declining populations of boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Current survey methods typically employ manned aircraft, which can be noisy, expensive to operate, and dangerous for the people conducting the surveys. Small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have garnered attention as a promising alterative to conducting aerial surveys in manned aircraft. Our research investigates the feasibility of using an UAS to conduct aerial surveys and determine which factors affect the detection of surrogate caribou targets, and hence may affect detection of real caribou. In the fall of 2013, we tested the capabilities of the Brican TD100E, a small, electric-powered fixed-wing UAS, to fly beyond visual line of sight near Goose Bay, Labrador. Seven surveys were done using different flight paths to collect aerial images of 26 surrogate caribou targets placed in six different habitats. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to evaluate how habitat type, distance of the target from the image centerline, photo analysts’ experience level, flight time, and the target contrast against the landscape influenced the detection of surrogate caribou targets. We found that habitat type, target contrast, and the flight time affected target detection. Overall, 77.5% of the targets were detected; the odds of a photo analyst detecting a target in open habitat were roughly 10.5 times higher than in burned habitat and 42 times higher than in heavy forest. Target detection was influenced by the contrast of the target against the landscape, where a higher corrected integrated density was associated with greater target detection. The detection of targets was 87% during evening flights and 75% for morning flights. This study was the first of its kind to successfully fly a UAS beyond line of sight over land for non-military applications in North America and the findings of our research will provide an evaluation for using UAS to survey caribou in the future.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of an unmanned aircraft system for detecting surrogate caribou targets in Labrador

Patterson

Koski²,

Pace³

et al. 2016

“…UAS can also support thermal imaging, allowing the detection of deer fawns in grasslands (Christiansen et al 2014;Israel 2011) where they are at high risk of mortality during mowing operations (Jarnemo 2002). However, to our knowledge the use of UAS for the specific estimation of crop damage by ungulates has not been assessed.…”

Section: Uas To Estimate Crop Damagementioning

confidence: 99%

Use of unmanned aerial system to assess wildlife (Sus scrofa) damage to crops (Zea mays)

Michez

Мorelle

Lehaire

et al. 2016

Damage caused by ungulates to agricultural areas is difficult to evaluate because the real extent of the damage remains usually poorly described and potentially leads to conflicts. Recent advances in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) provide new versatile mapping and quantification possibilities in a wide range of applications. We used crop fields (Zea mays) damaged by wild boar (Sus scrofa) and compared the extent of the damage by means of three methods: (i) traditional ground-based assessment; (ii) UAS orthoimages with operator delineation; and (iii) UAS crop height model with automatic delineation based on height threshold. We showed for the first time that UAS can be applied for assessing damage of ungulates to agriculture. The two methods using UAS imagery provide coherent and satisfactory results and tend to underestimate the damage area when compared to in-use groundbased field expertise. However, we suggest that performance of UAS should further be tested in variable conditions to assess the broad application of this tool. Our study describes the potential of UAS as a tool for estimating more accurately the damage area and subsequently the compensation costs for wildlife damage. The proposed approach can be used in support of local and regional policies for the definitions of compensation for farmers.Keywords: remote sensing, Sus scrofa, photogrammetry, wildlife damage, crop damage, UAV, UAS, drone.Résumé : Les dommages que causent les ongulés aux zones agricoles sont difficiles à éva-luer, car habituellement l'étendue réelle des dommages demeure mal décrite ainsi que les possibilités de conflits. Les progrès récents dans le domaine des systèmes aériens sans pilote (UAS) fournissent des nouvelles possibilités polyvalentes de cartographier et quantifier dans une vaste gamme d'applications. Nous avons utilisé les champs cultivés (Zea mays) endommagés par les sangliers (Sus scrofa) et comparé l'étendue du dommage au moyen de trois méthodes : (i) l'évaluation classique sur le terrain ; (ii) les ortho images à partir d'un UAS avec délimitation par l'opérateur et (iii) le modèle de la hauteur de la récolte par UAS avec délimitation automatique selon un seuil de hauteur. Nous avons montré pour la première fois qu'un UAS peut être utilisé pour évaluer les dommages causés par les ongulés à l'agriculture. Les deux méthodes utilisant l'imagerie UAS fournissent des résultats cohérents et satisfaisants et ont eu tendance à sous-estimer la zone endommagée lorsque comparés à l'expertise en usage sur le terrain. Cependant, nous suggérons que la performance du UAS soit mise à l'essai dans des conditions variables afin d'évaluer l'application générale de cet outil. Notre étude décrit les possibilités de l'UAS comme outil pour estimer plus précisément la zone endommagée et subséquemment les coûts de compensation pour les dommages For personal use only.causés par la faune. L'approche proposée peut venir appuyer les politiques locales ou régio-nales dans la détermination des compensations aux fermiers. [Traduit par la...

“…Thermal infrared cameras may be useful for detecting warm animals concealed in vegetation or at night (Israel 2011;Christiansen et al 2014;Mulero-Pazmany et al 2014b), although their low resolution (commonly 640 pixels × 480 pixels) represents a major limitation. Consequently, they must be flown at a considerably lower altitude than still cameras to obtain an equivalent GSD, resulting in a much smaller area footprint and therefore less area coverage per unit of time.…”

Section: Herptilesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildlife research and management methods in the 21st century: Where do unmanned aircraft fit in?

Chabot

Bird

2015

217

183

Since the turn of the century, emerging unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have found increasingly diverse applications in wildlife science as convenient, very highresolution remote sensing devices. Achieved or conceptualized applications include optical surveying and observation of animals, autonomous wildlife telemetry tracking, and habitat research and monitoring. As the technology continues to progress and interest from the wildlife science community grows, there may yet be much untapped potential for UAS to contribute to the discipline. We present a review of the published primary literature on the application of UAS in wildlife science and related fields. This is followed by a systematic review of the broader wildlife science literature published since the turn of the century to assess where UAS are likely to make important contributions going forward based on the trends that have emerged thus far. UAS, in particular small lightweight models, are generally well suited for collecting data at an intermediate spatial scale between what is easily coverable on the ground and what is economically coverable with conventional aircraft. They are particularly useful for monitoring wildlife and habitats in places that are difficult to access or navigate from the ground, as well as approaching sensitive or aggressive species.Key words: aerial survey, conservation, remotely piloted aircraft system, unmanned aerial vehicle, drone, wildlife monitoring.Résumé : Depuis le début du siècle, les nouveaux systèmes d'aéronefs sans pilote (UAS), en tant qu'appareils de télédétection de haute résolution pratiques, ont donné lieu à de plus en plus d'applications diverses en science de la faune. Les applications réalisées ou conceptualisées comprennent l'inventaire et l'observation optiques des animaux, la localisation autonome de la faune par télémétrie et la recherche et la surveillance des habitats. À mesure que la technologie continue de progresser et que l'intérêt de la part du milieu scientifique du domaine de la faune croît, la contribution des UAS à la discipline pourra augmenter, car il peut y avoir encore beaucoup de potentiel à exploiter. Nous présentons un examen de la littérature primaire publiée portant sur l'application des UAS dans les domaines de la science de la faune et connexes. Un examen systématique de l'ensemble de la littérature de la science de la faune publiée depuis le début du siècle s'ensuit dans le but d'évaluer, d'après les tendances qui ont émergé jusqu'à maintenant, où les UAS vont possiblement faire des contributions à l'avenir. Les UAS, en particulier les petits modèles légers, sont bien adaptés à la collecte de données à une échelle spatiale intermédiaire entre ce qui est facilement saisi sur le terrain et ce qui est saisi à l'aide d'un aéronef traditionnel. Ils sont particulièrement utiles pour la surveillance de la faune et des habitats dans les endroits difficiles à accéder ou à naviguer à partir du sol, ainsi que pour s'approcher des espèces sensibles ou agressives.