Cost-effectiveness of using drones to detect invasive alien tree species
Mapping and monitoring invasive species is critical for environmental management as part of restoration and conservation efforts. Additionally, the early detection of invasive alien plants is important to prevent establishment and spread. Mapping and monitoring has traditionally been conducted manually, which can be both time consuming and costly. Drones can be effectively used and may offer a better alternative. Invasive pine species (Pinus taeda and P. elliottii) have threatened the native biodiversity of the Parque Natural Municipal das Dunas da Lagoa da Conceição (Santa Catarina Island, Brazil) since their introduction in 1973. A lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle was used to locate pine seedlings and adult trees in an open coastal habitat. When an individual pine was identified, it was removed using manual or mechanical methods. This was then compared to the cost and time that it would take to manually search for individuals on the ground and remove them. The total cost and time for detecting and removing these invasive pines was estimated . When using a drone to locate pines and conduct targeted control activities, the cost was reduced to approximately one-third compared with traditional methods. The time needed to detect and remove invasive trees was more than seven times less compared with traditional active search and removal.
Sources
Sühs RB, Ziller SR, Dechoum M (2023) Is the use of drones cost-effective and efficient in detecting invasive alien trees? A case study from a subtropical coastal ecosystem. Biological Invasions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-023-03190-5