Drone-based microclimate analytics reveal vegetation-shade interaction as a key environmental drivers of Aedes-prone...

Urban microclimate interactions between vegetation and shading play a critical role in shaping environmental conditions that influence mosquito habitat suitability in tropical cities. This study presents a drone-based analytical framework to map fine-scale Aedes-prone microhabitats across contrasting urban morphologies in Shah Alam, Malaysia. High-resolution UAV imagery was used to quantify vegetation and shading patterns and integrate them into a composite ecological risk model to identify micro-environmental conditions associated with Aedes habitat suitability. Terrace housing exhibited substantially higher ecological risk compared with high-rise forms, reflecting differences in vegetation density and spatial configuration. Statistical modelling suggested that the interaction between vegetation and shading significantly improved predictive performance, highlighting their combined influence on habitat suitability. Spatial analyses further identified persistent shaded zones associated with building orientation and vegetation adjacency, indicating localized micro-environments conducive to mosquito persistence. These findings highlight a critical trade-off in urban design, where greening strategies may inadvertently support mosquito survival if not properly managed. The proposed framework provides a scalable and data-driven approach for identifying high-risk microhabitats and supports its integration into a promising complementary tool for precision surveillance, urban planning, and climate-sensitive public health strategies.