Abstract
Wildlife biology applications of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are extensive. Survey, identification, and measurement using UAS equipped with appropriate sensors can now be added to the suite of techniques available for monitoring animals – here we detail our experiences in using UAS to obtain detailed information from groups of seals, which can be difficult to observe from land. Trial flights to survey gray and harbor seals using a range of different platforms and imaging systems have been carried out with varying success at a number of sites in Scotland over the last two years. The best performing UAS system was determined by site, field situation, and the data required. Our systems routinely allow relative abundance, species, age–class, and individual identity to be obtained from images currently, with measures of body size also obtainable but open to refinement. However, the impacts of UAS on target species can also be variable and should be monitored closely. We found variable responses to UAS flights, possibly related to the animals’ experience of previous disturbance.
Highlights
Biologists and ecologists have been quick to appreciate the data-gathering opportunities that remote small unmanned aerial survey systems offer, as functionality and availability improve (e.g., Jones et al 2006; Anderson and Gaston 2013; Goebel et al 2015)
Collecting life history information for population parameters requires longterm detailed information on individuals, currently provided by direct observations on animals known from flipper tagging, and using photo-ID of natural pelage patterns (Hiby et al 2013)
The noise from unmanned aerial system (UAS) is related to the number of motors, and positioning and speed of motors and propeller size and pitch have an effect, there was no doubt that the Vulcan 8 is noisier than the Cinestar 6
Summary
Biologists and ecologists have been quick to appreciate the data-gathering opportunities that remote small unmanned aerial survey systems offer, as functionality and availability improve (e.g., Jones et al 2006; Anderson and Gaston 2013; Goebel et al 2015). Established manned aerial census methods continue to provide counts of animals as a fundamental requirement for providing population-scale estimates of abundance and annual production, but their use includes considerations of risk to personnel, financial cost, and limitations of information gained. Seal population trajectories are assessed using (manned) synoptic aerial surveys of seals at breeding for gray seals and molt for harbor seals to provide data to inform population models (Lonergan et al 2007; SCOS 2013). Collecting life history information for population parameters requires longterm detailed information on individuals, currently provided by direct observations on animals known from flipper tagging, and using photo-ID of natural pelage patterns (Hiby et al 2013). Tools that allow greater access to seals, whether on difficult-to-reach parts of breeding colonies or haulouts, offer new, cheaper, powerful insights into animal distribution, site use, and demography
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