Industries — Drone Applications

Drones for
Conservation

Quick Insights Fast aerial data collection over large areas
Wide Range of Use Monitor animals, habitats, erosion, and more
Cost Effective Data Acquisition Far cheaper than manned aircraft or ground teams
Elephants photographed from conservation drone
Wildlife Monitoring
Habitat Mapping
Remote Surveys
Conservation Drone Surveys

Drones for
Conservation?

What Is an Environmental Drone Survey?

An environmental drone survey refers to the use of a drone to capture aerial data with downward-facing sensors, such as RGB or Multispectral payloads. During a drone survey with an RGB camera, the ground is photographed multiple times and each image is tagged with coordinates.

After flight, these photos are processed in photogrammetry software such as PIX4D or Agisoft Metashape. The photogrammetry software can then recreate geo-referenced 3D maps, contour lines, digital terrain models, or digital surface models to be reviewed in geospatial software such as ArcGIS or QGIS.

What Makes a Drone the Best Option?

A drone flies at the ideal cruising speed and altitude for extremely high-resolution imagery. Airplanes and satellites fly too fast and too high, which means they can't capture the same level of detail.

Drones can capture imagery and GPS data at the same time, giving you more information so you can create a more accurate rendering of the area.

Drone Capabilities

How Can Drone Imaging Help
My Conservation Effort?

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are especially valuable in remote areas, where it might not be safe or feasible to conduct a survey on foot. You can get more comprehensive data with less risk by deploying a drone.

Regardless of where you're working, a drone can capture a comprehensive survey of a given area much faster than a team on foot. The imagery collected from drones can give you valuable insight into the health and changes of a given area.

With drone imagery you can monitor:
  • Individual animals and populations
  • Forest fires and subsequent damage
  • Ecosystems and habitats
  • Subsidence and erosion
  • Migration stages
Preserving the Endangered Spider Monkey →
Endangered spider monkey — conservation drone survey
Preserving the Endangered Spider Monkey
Environmental Impact

Will a Drone Disturb
the Environment?

Some conservation areas are incredibly delicate and sensitive to even the most careful of survey teams. It can be challenging to record observations about stress signals and other critical metrics over time if you can't physically enter the area to make direct visual inspection.
Terrestrial Restrictions

Drones can be programmed to fly a flight path that remains clear of restricted areas to protect the most sensitive habitats.

Noise Restrictions

Electric fixed wing drones are much quieter than even much smaller multirotors. Observation and inspection can be performed with minimal interference with the subjects.

Suggested Platform

E400 Mapping

Consistent data for long-term conservation efforts.
E400 mapping drone for conservation
E400 Fixed Wing VTOL — Mapping Drone
When you invest in a drone, you're investing in a long-term monitoring tool. Fly as often as needed to gather the data required to keep your conservation projects on track.
  • Fly Repeated Routes Collect data the same way every time for consistent long-term monitoring
  • Leave Habitats Undisturbed Survey sensitive areas without physical intrusion or ground disturbance
  • Monitor Remote Areas Safely reach areas that are inaccessible or hazardous for ground teams
  • Track Change Over Time Build a library of consistent aerial data to observe long-term trends
Learn More About the E400
Get Started

Not Sure If a Drone Is
Right for You?

Let's talk.
Learn More About the E400 Contact Us
Email —