Drone technology is revolutionising the way we work and provides new opportunities that might previously have been in the world of science fiction. The most obvious application for drone technology is on development sites, but as the landowners are increasingly being encouraged to enhance their environmental assets, they need quick and cost effective way of determining where those opportunities lie.
Detailed Aerial Surveys
Feasibility Assessments
Drones can be used during feasibility assessments to capture details of the site to assist in concept design. Outputs from such surveys can be log distance images to show the context of a site in the wider landscape, orthorectified (high resolution 2D) images, 3D models in point cloud or triangle mesh, video footage, or any combination of the above. The software and algorithms that enable photographic images to be converted to meaningful and useable data is constantly being updated so the potential of drone remains vast and hugely exciting.
Construction Monitoring
Once a development scheme has been consented, drones can be used to provide onsite monitoring of the progress of developments. Many of those involved in development projects can benefit from such monitoring:
- Planners are able to confirm that the development complies with the consent
- Contractors can monitor progress
Tree Health Monitoring
The application of drones for monitoring plant health has long history, especially in agricultural where they have been used for decades to monitor the health of annual crops. More recent developments in hi-resolution (HD,4K) cameras has opened new opportunities for landowners to monitor and assess large populations of trees at a low cost.
Environment and Habitat Monitoring
As the UK government progress towards fulfilment of its 25 Year Environment Plan, many new schemes are becoming open to land owners to assist in enhancing the environment. One of the most high profile of the schemes is the forthcoming Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) which provides funding for the provision of public goods and services. There are opportunities for landowners to improve areas of land for habitat, biodiversity, water management, or other environmental gain, and mapping of the land through drones is a cost effective and highly accurate way to achieve this.
