Integrating Natural Resources Education and Citizen Science Communication through the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones)

Dr David Kulhavy,Reid Viegut,Dr I-Kuai Hung,Dr Daniel Unger,Dr Yanli Zhang,Dr Chris Schalk

doi:10.5430/ijhe.v11n2p143

Dr David Kulhavy, Reid Viegut + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v11n2p143

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Abstract

Science communication is increasing through the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or drones. Within the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU), UASs such as the DJI Phantom 4 Pro and Mavic Mini2 drones were used by students and faculty to study mistletoe, crapemyrtle and fire ants and then drone images were uploaded to iNaturalist, the largest repository for flora and fauna specimens to share with the scientific community and general public. The benefits of using a UAS is that nadir (directly above) images of the specimens increase the locational accuracy of each specimen compared to distance images acquired from a smartphone. By incorporating drones into course works at SFASU, faculty are increasing the technological abilities of students to communicate natural resource information to a greater audience as a citizen scientist. With ever increasing capabilities and lower cost, UAS are becoming a viable alternative to smartphones for communication of science, especially for iNaturalist. The ability to communicate science information and display images adds a dimension for the citizen scientist to use a UAS in teaching and information exchange while creating a well-rounded, better informed, and more employable student upon graduation.

Highlights

Civic engagement or civic participation through citizen science is increasing to develop knowledge of species, gaining skills and competencies in community projects (Nugent & Thrippleton-Hunter, 2017; Nugent, 2018)
We highlight the method of using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) student scientists to contribute data for iNaturalist and enhance science education to expand the collection ability for citizen scientists
As UASs give accurate location at nadir when comparing with phone images which are generally taken at a distance, this increases the accuracy of the iNaturalist database

Summary

Introduction

Civic engagement or civic participation through citizen science is increasing to develop knowledge of species, gaining skills and competencies in community projects (Nugent & Thrippleton-Hunter, 2017; Nugent, 2018). Continued use of UASs promotes problem solving and critical thinking skills to work with both geospatial science and technology information while using a UAS (Unger, Kulhavy, Busch-Petersen, & Hung, 2016; Sattar, Tamatea, & Nawaz, 2017) For these projects, students that completed the Mentored Undergraduate training (Unger, Kulhavy, Busch-Petersen, & Hung, 2016) including synthesis of data and uploading to iNaturalist were selected as drone pilots and participants in the iNaturalist Drones and Biodiversity project. To highlight how studies between natural resource management and citizen science can be integrated with the use of a UAS, we highlight the technology typically equipped in UASs while highlighting several case studies undertaken by students within the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at SFASU that demonstrate the potential integration with citizen science below

Technology

Mistletoe

Crapemyrtle Bark Scale

Red Imported Fire Ant

Conclusions