Flying to a Greener Horizon: Drones for Environmental Purposes

[NoraT]

“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.”

Environmental conservation continues to intensify for the past few years. As global warming and other environmental problems pose threats to the human race, highly innovative gadgets are now being incorporated by green businesses in an effort to revive the environment.

Fortunately, we do not need to limit ourselves to the use of satellites for tracking and monitoring the ecosystem. Today, flying robots are integrated to help conservationists and environmental groups in their fight against illegal activities. As drone uses are oriented towards a greener cause, we can expect a brighter and a greener future.

Drones for the Fight against Illegal Activities

It is no secret that illegal logging and mining pose severe environmental consequences. However, during the previous years, tracking these activities has been extremely difficult due to a number of factors.

Firstly, thick and wealthy landscapes make it almost impossible for conservationists to see crisp and clear views of forests and other remote areas. This is mainly because thick clouds compromise the satellite’s capability to capture clear images.

 

In the like manner, although human resource and budget are not a problem, some remote areas are impassable, making it more challenging for environmental groups to monitor activities. Even when authorities receive reports on illegal logging or mining, it can be too late for them to intervene. 

But thanks to drone technology, conservationists can now track malicious activities at an early phase. Unlike satellites, drones are able to capture HD images and videos. Since reports are sent out instantaneously, authorities can now stop illegal activities before they cause severe damage to the environment.

Drones for Aerial Mapping

Since drones are equipped with video and camera capability, they can efficiently offer you a bird’s eye view of an area, no matter how remote it is. Flying at up to 200 meters above ground level, a drone sends out clear and crisp images with a pixel resolution as high as 1 meter.

Whether you are monitoring or mapping a rainforest or a highly conserved wetland, you can count on these flying robots to do their job with precision and efficiency. This is especially true since you do not have to factor in the thickness of the clouds and the forests because it flies at an ideal speed and altitude.  

In addition to that, there are drones that can fly for up to 5 hours, depending on their battery capability. Not to mention, drones can also carry equipment used for measuring temperature and humidity, making data collection easier for conservationists and environmental groups.

Drones for Disaster Relief

When natural calamities strike, governments should devise a plan for shelter reconstruction and disaster management. Otherwise, locals living within the vicinity are left with a very low chance of survival.

Unmanned vehicles are useful in this regard as they can provide authorities with a clear picture of the area. With the help of drones, the government can inspect the area and create a plan that directly addresses the concerns of its netizens.

 

Likewise, drones can also help fight against existing natural disasters. For instance, in the US, unmanned vehicles are sent out to areas suffering from wildfire. Since drones are able to send back clear images and videos, disaster management groups can act in accordance to the area’s specific needs.

Drones for Wildlife Protection

Protecting wildlife has been one of the top-most priorities of green businesses. Since drones can locate wildlife and monitor their existing population, they are a vital tool for wildlife protection.

Furthermore, drones can also be used for identifying ailing trees. Since some models can spot unhealthy trees, conservationists can map infected areas and devise a treatment plan before trees suffer from an ‘ash dieback’. A friend to both wildlife and old trees, drones definitely play an important role for the protection of the environment as a whole.

Drones for Wide Angle Views of Seascapes and Landscapes

Gone are the days when green businesses need to settle with clouded images sent by satellites. Ever since drone technology was incorporated, conservationists are able to receive real-time data.

For instance, inspecting the Great Barrier Reef is now easier since drones are capable of sending back HD images and videos of reefs, corals and marine life. In turn, they can devise a conservation plan that addresses the present needs of the GBR.

Drones for the Maintenance of Sources of Renewable Energy

Inspecting wind turbines for maintenance purposes is now more efficient, thanks to our eco-friendly flying robots. Now, green businesses can monitor the condition of cables and turbine blades without going the extra mile since they can receive 3D images and videos.

 

The same principle applies to the maintenance of water dams. With the help of drones, companies can now cut costs without sacrificing their need to keep the facility running with efficiency. Plus, using drones is less time-consuming as compared to traditional means to conserve and maintain the entire facility.

Drones for Sustainability

Lastly, drones are a vital tool in the green sector since it is not only efficient in mapping and tracking the ecosystem; it is also a useful agricultural device. In fact, drones can now be used to spray fertilizers on different types of vegetation. Since drones can be remotely controlled, businesses can regulate the amount of fertilizer they need for their crops, which consequently lessens costs in the long run.

Aside from spraying fertilizers, drones can also offer data on the overall health of crops because it can send out 3D images to its users. In case any signs of infestation are present, farmers can act on it at an early phase. Plus, drones can be utilized to track livestock, plants and animals. Now, farmers don’t need to physically inspect their areas to secure their livelihood.

Indeed, the use of drones has revolutionized environmental conservation. Highly innovative and multi-faceted, drones offer green businesses an edge in terms of mapping and maintaining the entire ecosystem.