A small unmanned aerial system for estimating abundance and size of Antarctic predators
A small unmanned aerial system for estimating abundance and size of Antarctic predators
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DOI：
10.1007/s00300-014-1625-4
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发表时间：
2015-05-01
期刊：
影响因子：
1.7
通讯作者：
LeRoi, Donald J.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Goebel, Michael E.;Perryman, Wayne L.;LeRoi, Donald J.
量化捕食者的分布和丰度是许多生态研究不可或缺的一部分，但在南极洲等偏远地区可能很困难。无人机系统（UAS）的发展，特别是垂直起降（VTOL）飞机的最新进展，为研究捕食者种群的分布和丰度提供了新的工具。我们详细介绍了我们的经验和测试，在选择一个垂直起降平台用于偏远，多风，常年阴天的设置，在那里获得无云的高分辨率卫星图像往往是不切实际的。我们提出的结果，从第一次使用垂直起降估计丰富，殖民地面积和密度磷虾依赖的捕食者在南极洲，根据65飞行任务在2010/2011年（n = 28）和2012/2013年（n = 37）。我们通过比较垂直起降产生的噪音与环境和企鹅产生的声音来解决对UAS声音影响野生动物的担忧。我们还报告的实用程序的VTOLs的任务以外的丰度和分布，即估计个别豹海豹的大小。小型电池驱动垂直起降飞机的几个特点使其在野生动物应用中特别有用：（1）便携性，（2）飞行稳定性，（3）有限的发射区域要求，（4）安全性，（5）与固定翼和内燃机飞机相比，有限的声音。我们的结论是，众多的无人机可用，电动垂直起降是最有前途的生态应用。
Quantifying the distribution and abundance of predators is integral to many ecological studies, but can be difficult in remote settings such as Antarctica. Recent advances in the development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), particularly vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, have provided a new tool for studying the distribution and abundance of predator populations. We detail our experience and testing in selecting a VTOL platform for use in remote, windy, perennially overcast settings, where acquiring cloud-free high-resolution satellite images is often impractical. We present results from the first use of VTOLs for estimating abundance, colony area, and density of krill-dependent predators in Antarctica, based upon 65 missions flown in 2010/2011 (n = 28) and 2012/2013 (n = 37). We address concerns over UAS sound affecting wildlife by comparing VTOL-generated noise to ambient and penguin-generated sound. We also report on the utility of VTOLs for missions other than abundance and distribution, namely to estimate size of individual leopard seals. Several characteristics of small, battery-powered VTOLs make them particularly useful in wildlife applications: (1) portability, (2) stability in flight, (3) limited launch area requirements, (4) safety, and (5) limited sound when compared to fixed-wing and internal combustion engine aircraft. We conclude that of the numerous UAS available, electric VTOLs are among the most promising for ecological applications.