Phenology at the landscape scale: image collection and processing using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

Abstract

Phenology studies face time and space constraints: time constraint refers to the fact that data collection/observation is a laborious and time-consuming task; space limitation is concerned with the number of individuals and area that can be covered in a given survey. The use of digital cameras solves the problem of time, but the camera images still cover a limited area and a limited number of species and individuals. The project e-phenology proposes the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for imaging regions of interest and phenology monitoring at the landscape scale. This innovative technique, although used for monitoring agricultural and degraded areas, has not yet been explored in academic research or phenology, but it is considered the new frontier in spatial ecology and conservation (Anderson and Gaston, 2013). As a result, we expect to have a trained technician for ecological research and phenology analysis at the landscape scale using UAV. (AU)