Abstract
We tried more precise mapping of vegetation using UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle), as a new method of creating vegetation maps, and we objected to be clearly the efficient mapping of vegetation using the UAV method by comparing vegetation maps created by analysing aerial photographs taken by a UAV and an aircraft (manned flight). The aerial photography using UAV was conducted in the Niida River estuary (the secondary river flowing into Minamisoma City in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan). The photography period was in August 2013. We analysed the aerial photographs using ArcGis 9 (Esri Japan Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). The aerial photographs of the main plant communities (Phragmites australis, Typha domingensis, and Miscanthus sacchariflorus) taken by the UAV could clearly discriminate each plant community at the 1/50 scale. Moreover, it could clearly discriminate the shape of a plant at the 1/10 scale. We compared the vegetation maps by analysing the aerial photos taken by a UAV (2013 shooting) and an aircraft (2011 shooting). As a result, the vegetation map created by the UAV method could clearly discriminate community distributions. We conclude that vegetation surveys using UAV are possible and are capable of a highly precise community division in places where field reconnaissance is difficult. The UAV method is effective and will contribute to the improvement of research methods in the future; this method may reduce research costs associated with a reduction in field survey days and man-power.
Highlights
A vegetation map illustrates the geographical spread of a plant community, which is a vegetation unit
We examined the efficient mapping of vegetation using the UAV method by comparing vegetation maps created by analysing aerial photographs taken by a UAV and an aircraft
The aerial photography using UAV was conducted over a 1.5 km section upstream from the Niida River estuary
Summary
A vegetation map illustrates the geographical spread of a plant community, which is a vegetation unit. UAV system was effective in identifying the present vegetation [8]-[10] [12], and is possible to generate detailed map of vegetation assemblages at the species level [11]. [13] reported that a resolution of less than 1 cm is required for the precise interpretation of herbaceous plants This resolution is the limiting factor in the remote sensing capabilities of satellites and aircraft; with high-resolution remote sensing using UAV methods, it is possible to discriminate herbaceous species at an individual plant level. We examined the efficient mapping of vegetation using the UAV method by comparing vegetation maps created by analysing aerial photographs taken by a UAV and an aircraft (manned flight)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have