Individuals and businesses have recently become more knowledgeable about drones (or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)). There is a much greater understanding of drone technology and the benefits, as well as potential limitations of using drones for arboricultural (tree) and ecological surveys and assessments.
This is nothing new. Drones have been used to conduct environmental studies for a few years now and have been widely adopted in Forestry and Flood Risk management. However, the widespread adoption of drones in arboriculture and ecology consulting has been somewhat muted until now. Drones are more cost-effective and accessible to a broader demographic, while recent changes to the legality of operating in certain areas have been updated.
Most “off-the-shelf” drones now have high-resolution cameras with resolutions of up to 8k and image sensors that can capture high-definition images and video footage of the majority of Sites. This innovative technology provides another tool at the disposal of arborists and ecologists to make even greater informed assessments and decisions about the management of natural assets, particularly those Sites where access is constrained or visibility is limited.
Drones in Arboriculture
Drones can also be used for a variety of arboricultural assessments, such as visual assessment surveys (VTA), which allow you to assess potential risk features more closely and thoroughly detect signs of decay or damage that may not be visible from the ground.
Drones are also being used to capture various types of aerial imagery for the purpose of monitoring and managing ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) - particularly along transport corridors and cliff edges and valleys in the Peak District (see a recent example of work we conducted for luxury apartments here).
Drones can be used to survey ash populations, identify target areas, map diseased or declining trees, and evaluate arboricultural and ecological constraints.
Furthermore, by utilising drones and 3D photogrammetry, we can broaden the scope of tree assessments or create records on important trees such as ancient, veteran, or notable trees with particular historic, cultural, and aesthetic merit. This technology enables us to accurately model trees in a 3D environment, allowing us to make more informed management decisions.
Drones for Checking Tree Protection and Exclusion Fencing
As part of our BS5837 Tree Surveys, Reports, and Arboricultural Method Statements (AMS) we regularly conduct site visits, supervision of works, and audits of tree protective fencing. This also extends to ecology and providing support with great crested newt (GCN) or reptile exclusion fencing to ensure it is installed correctly and to identify any areas where the fencing has been damaged.
This typically manual process can be time-consuming and take consultants away from other fee-earning work, especially for large sites or multiple fencing parcels.
Our use of drones offers a time-saving service to check exclusion fencing quickly and efficiently. We can either program a predetermined route into the drone to check that the fencing is installed correctly or manually fly the drone just above ground level to identify areas of damage.
The use of drones not only saves time but also offers a more accurate and efficient solution for checking fencing. Our drone service provides dated video evidence of the fencing check, which can be used for compliance or licencing purposes. We can also convert the video footage into detailed plans that highlight areas where fencing has been installed incorrectly or where damage to the fencing has occurred.
Drones for Ecology Surveys and Assessments
In 2023, we formed ARB Innovators Ltd, an innovative Arboricultural Consultancy utilising new and emerging technologies, like drones, to enhance tree surveys and reports. We believe in drone technology so much that we're willing to bet our entire company ethos on it!
We truly believe they can provide the most efficient, innovative, and robust tree inspections, assessments, and land surveys (including habitat mapping and monitoring).
This is how we plan on incorporating drones into our existing service offerings at ARB Innovators, through 2024.
Habitat Surveys, Monitoring and Drone Construction Progress Photography
Aerial drone footage, when combined with thorough vegetation surveys, provides a clear picture of how vegetative structure and spatial changes evolve over time. Images can be overlaid in QGIS or other mapping software to identify areas where management is effective as well as areas where remedial measures or other interventions are required.
Aerial drone imagery enables a rapid visual assessment of a site, enabling ecologists to identify areas where remedial measures may be required in addition to vegetative surveys (such as NVC).
Given the imminent requirement to deliver biodiversity net gain, drone footage can also be used to check habitat management against biodiversity net gain plans to ensure that habitat delivery is in compliance with the approved plan.
We can provide aerial imagery to clients who want to show progress on construction sites from start to finish. We've also provided aerial images and video footage to clients for promotional material for land promotion or their active construction sites.
Send us a message or give us a call.
Preliminary Roost Assessments (PRA)
Over recent years, we have been privileged enough to work closely with some fantastic ecologists conducting preliminary roost assessments (PRA) to determine the suitability of buildings or trees for roosting bats. However, access constraints, coupled with health and safety concerns with working at height or in derelict buildings, can pose significant challenges to these surveys and assessments.
While we eagerly await the widespread use of drones in ecology, we want to collaborate more closely with ecologists to survey difficult-to-reach areas and enable a robust assessment of potential roost features, providing a clear and comprehensive view of the area without the need for onerous or expensive access measures such as MEWPs or scaffolding.
Got a project in mind? Drop us a message.
The adoption of drones will therefore not only mitigate potential safety issues but also improve the team’s accuracy and efficiency in performing external roof surveys.
We want to collaborate more closely with ecologists to survey difficult-to-reach areas and enable a robust assessment of potential roost features
But that’s not all! The drone footage we collect can also be used to create a 3D model of a structure or possible roost feature, offering a clear representation of both potential roost and access elements, as well as the building's nature.
This is not not only beneficial for ecologists but also for clients and the Local Planning Authority, who can view the buildings and features recorded for themselves.
What’s more, given that we have a range of drones, there isn’t a project or Site we can’t cover. Our sub-250gram drones (DJI Mini 3 Pro) mean we can fly in built-up areas, at residential, recreational, commercial, and industrial sites, with reduced separation distances. Where we have greater control over ‘uninvolved people’ or on private land (areas with no public access and separation distances can be maintained), we can utilise our DJI Mavic Air 2s or DJI Mavic 3.
Drones for water vole surveys
One of the priorities for a lot of environmental consultants is to limit work on, near, or over water. Drones can be used to conduct water vole surveys in places where using a boat on a body of water would be prohibitively expensive or dangerous. Flying over an area and capturing high-resolution images and video of riverbanks or embankments from a safe distance can help ecologists analyse the habitat types present and their suitability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, drones have afforded our teams the ability to revolutionise the way that they operate. Using drones, we can ensure that our arboricultural and ecology consultants have a more accurate and efficient solution for conducting surveys and assessments, saving both time and costs for our clients.
Comments