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. 2017 Nov 27;12(11):e0188714.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188714. eCollection 2017.

Identifying species from the air: UAVs and the very high resolution challenge for plant conservation

Susana Baena  1   2 , Justin Moat  1   2 , Oliver Whaley  1 , Doreen S Boyd  2
Affiliations

Identifying species from the air: UAVs and the very high resolution challenge for plant conservation

Susana Baena et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

The Pacific Equatorial dry forest of Northern Peru is recognised for its unique endemic biodiversity. Although highly threatened the forest provides livelihoods and ecosystem services to local communities. As agro-industrial expansion and climatic variation transform the region, close ecosystem monitoring is essential for viable adaptation strategies. UAVs offer an affordable alternative to satellites in obtaining both colour and near infrared imagery to meet the specific requirements of spatial and temporal resolution of a monitoring system. Combining this with their capacity to produce three dimensional models of the environment provides an invaluable tool for species level monitoring. Here we demonstrate that object-based image analysis of very high resolution UAV images can identify and quantify keystone tree species and their health across wide heterogeneous landscapes. The analysis exposes the state of the vegetation and serves as a baseline for monitoring and adaptive implementation of community based conservation and restoration in the area.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Study site and country map: Country map shows the Peruvian region of Lambeyeque.
Main map for context, UAV flight is highlighted in black, overlaid with a Landsat Panchromatic image.
Fig 2
Fig 2
Target species: (a) Alive Algarrobo (b) Dead Algarrobo (c) Sapote (d) Overo.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Target species from the UAV image.
Fig 4
Fig 4. UAV flight (red edge) over the study area and plot distribution (from top to bottom: Plots 1, 3, 4, 2).
Background image: panchromatic World View image.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Methodology work flow.
Fig 6
Fig 6
Distribution of species composition in and around Plot 1: A. red edge derive image from UAV mosaic. B Results from crown delineation with species identification.
Fig 7
Fig 7. Landscape metrics for targeted species with 50 x 50 m cells (2500 m2).
(a) Number of Overo per cell. (b) Number of Sapote per cell. (c) Number of c per cell. (d) Number of trees per cell. (e) Crown coverage in m2 per cell. (f) Percentage of dead Algarrobo per cell.
Fig 8
Fig 8. Point cloud showing higher density for evergreen trees as opposed to deciduous or defoliated tress.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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