Drone Usage
The use of drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), is a relatively new technology to access plant or animal species, populations, or communities difficult to access, detect, or observe.
- Relic populations of bigtooth maple are found in isolated, deep canyons in central Texas.
- Populations occur with other mostly deciduous species.
- Density and basal area of a sample of these communities was measured using the quadrat procedure.
- A UAV or drone was employed to survey all of the canyon communities.
- The study was completed in the fall when the deciduous plants were in full autumn colors so the limits of these communities would be visible from the air.
- Communities in the canyon were digitally outlined and the total area was estimated.
- Total area of the deciduous communities was 3.81 ha (9.41 ac).
- The total number of bigtooth maples and other woody species found using the quadrat procedure was increased by a factor of 3.81 to get a true picture of the community structure.
![drone on landing pad](/ecology/maple/img/drone-1.png)
drone on landing pad
![drone photo of landing pad](/ecology/maple/img/drone-2.png)
drone photo of landing pad (orange circle)
![drone in ground transportation](/ecology/maple/img/drone-3.png)
drone in ground transportation
Related Publications
Van Auken, O.W. and D.L. Taylor (2017) Using a Drone (UAV) to Determine the Acer grandidentatum (bigtooth maple) Density in a Relic, Isolated Community. Phytologia 99(3): 208-220.
» abstract