The Prospects and Challenges of Using Drone-Based Participatory Mapping in Human–Environment Research

Abstract

This article contributes to the emergent methodological application of uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones) in the study of human–environment interactions. Drawing on empirical field experiences, the article discusses the benefits and challenges of combining high spatial and temporal resolution drone remote sensing with qualitative in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and community map validation workshops within a single study. The article argues that drone-based participatory mapping elicits deeper insights that are not apparent when remote sensing and conventional qualitative methods are used as stand-alone methods. By highlighting the prospects and challenges in using drone-based participatory mapping, this article contributes to debates on “socializing the pixel and pixeling the social,” and advances methodological integration of qualitative and spatial analysis in the study of human–environment interactions.