- Nature & Ecology

Drones support nature management with data and overview.

Monitoring 

One of the applications of drones is monitoring animal populations in protected nature reserves. The Wadden Sea area, the Veluwe, and nature parks such as the Oostvaardersplassen are home to numerous animal species that are often difficult to observe without disturbance. Drones provide an efficient and non-invasive way to track animals and capture their behaviour..

Drones can be used, for example, to locate fawns in the meadows before mowing takes place and to monitor bird populations without startling the animals. For species such as the spoonbill, osprey, and godwit, drones can be deployed to locate nests, count populations, and document migration patterns. By adding infrared cameras, drones can even conduct nocturnal observations, a valuable tool in protecting vulnerable species from disturbance..

Recognition and combating 

Invasive plant species pose a significant challenge to native ecosystems in the Netherlands. Plants such as Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed disrupt the natural balance and can displace native flora. Drones can effectively scan large areas and detect the presence of invasive species without physically entering the area..

Thanks to the use of high-resolution cameras, a drone can identify invasive species based on their unique spectral characteristics. This helps ecologists and land managers in the Netherlands to take swift and efficient action. By deploying drones, one can intervene quickly and prevent the further spread of harmful species, which is important for the conservation of biodiversity in vulnerable ecosystems..

Water quality

With its extensive network of rivers, canals, and lakes, the Netherlands is a water-rich country where water quality is essential for public health and biodiversity. Drones can be equipped with sensors to quickly collect data on temperature, acidity (pH), oxygen levels, and the presence of pollutants in the water. This allows drones to detect problems such as pollution, excessive algal blooms, or oxygen shortages at an early stage.

Drones provide a solution for monitoring water quality in hard-to-reach areas without disturbing the ecosystem. Regular measurements taken by drones yield valuable data for mapping changes in water quality, allowing timely measures to be taken to keep the water clean and healthy..

Climate

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible in the Netherlands, with warmer summers, longer periods of drought, and changing rainfall patterns. Drones provide an efficient way to monitor the impacts of climate change on the landscape. In nature reserves such as the dunes along the Dutch coastline, drones can document the movement of sand and the disappearance of dunes. This helps policymakers and nature managers to develop protection strategies and safeguard important ecosystems.

In addition, drones can be deployed in polders and agricultural areas to measure soil moisture levels, especially during dry periods. This is important for the preservation of crops and natural areas that are sensitive to drought. By collecting data on long-term changes in soil and vegetation, drones assist ecologists in developing future-proof nature management plans.

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Prevention

The risk of wildfires has increased in recent years, partly due to periods of extreme drought. Drones provide a valuable contribution by using thermal cameras to detect hotspots and map risk areas. In vulnerable natural areas such as the Veluwe and other heathland regions, drones can signal fire hazards at an early stage, which is essential to prevent larger wildfires.

In the event of an actual fire, drones can quickly and safely provide an overview of the extent and direction of the spread of the fire. This helps firefighters and nature managers to respond effectively and gain a better understanding of the situation, without putting people in dangerous conditions. After a fire, drones can also be used to assess the damage and support recovery plans.

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