Using the camera on the drones researchers are able to quickly get a bird's eye view of a large area. Not only does this decrease the number of hours needed to collect valuable data but it also is significantly cheaper than other forms of aerial coverage. Casella et al. (2017) collected mapping data on coral reefs using a DJI Phantom 2 drone and a GoPro, demonstrating that it is possible to record accurate very cheaply using drone technology. Sometimes the small, lightweight body of a drone is the only thing able to get accurate measurements. In 1984 Mauna Loa (a volcano in Hawaii) erupted sending a 22 km lava flow down the mountain. The flow was so large that researchers attempting to predict the flow path could not get accurate measurements on its speed and direction. The intense heat from the lava was creating extreme pockets of turbulence, making it impossible to fly a helicopter overhead. In order to get the readings they needed they outfitted a Dragon Eye UAV (5.9 lbs, 3.75 ft) with two cameras, a sulfur dioxide sensor, a particulate sensor, nanoparticle counter, and a vacuum bottle to collect gas samples. Drones have also been proposed as a means of tracking hazardous/nuclear pollution after an a nuclear meltdown. The drone is able to fly into the midst of the pollution to build a 3D map of dispersal patterns (superior to the 2D mapping we use today) and can do so without risking harm to the pilot.
Drones are also making a big splash in the agriculture industry and environmental sciences. Many data analysis firms being hired by farmers are using drones to map out entire areas of farmland and analyze the soil composition, disease/parasite spread, weeds, and can even identify specific plants based on their leaves (from 400 ft in the air)! This form of aerial identification is not only easier, but can also give more accurate measurements. Hodgson et al. (2016) used drones to gather colony counts of nesting birds in tropical and polar environments, and compared the data gathered to colony counts gathered by traditional "on ground" methods. They found that the UAV-derived colony counts were more accurate than traditionally-derived estimations. UAVs have also been used as a way of gathering atmospheric and meteorological data when traditional satellite imagery or aircraft are inefficient. These drones are able to fly higher into the atmosphere than a manned aircraft, while getting closer images than a satellite. They can also be repositioned mid-storm to best track the weather patterns, allowing researchers to get more accurate and descriptive data. It is clear that drones will continue to grow and be a useful tool in gathering data in hazardous or tedious environments.
Drones are also making a big splash in the agriculture industry and environmental sciences. Many data analysis firms being hired by farmers are using drones to map out entire areas of farmland and analyze the soil composition, disease/parasite spread, weeds, and can even identify specific plants based on their leaves (from 400 ft in the air)! This form of aerial identification is not only easier, but can also give more accurate measurements. Hodgson et al. (2016) used drones to gather colony counts of nesting birds in tropical and polar environments, and compared the data gathered to colony counts gathered by traditional "on ground" methods. They found that the UAV-derived colony counts were more accurate than traditionally-derived estimations. UAVs have also been used as a way of gathering atmospheric and meteorological data when traditional satellite imagery or aircraft are inefficient. These drones are able to fly higher into the atmosphere than a manned aircraft, while getting closer images than a satellite. They can also be repositioned mid-storm to best track the weather patterns, allowing researchers to get more accurate and descriptive data. It is clear that drones will continue to grow and be a useful tool in gathering data in hazardous or tedious environments.