Lessons learned from surveying Galápagos marine iguanas using drones

Area of Science:

• Conservation Science
• Wildlife Monitoring
• Remote Sensing Technology

Background:

• Traditional wildlife monitoring methods are insufficient for current conservation needs, especially in remote areas facing biodiversity loss.
• Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer a promising solution to bridge data gaps in wildlife surveys.
• Developing and validating UAV protocols is crucial for ensuring data accuracy, accessibility, and reproducibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and detail UAV-based protocols for surveying the endangered marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) in the Galápagos Islands.
• To validate these protocols against traditional survey methods.
• To assess the effectiveness of consumer-level drones and standardized flying techniques.

Main Methods:

• Image collection and processing using UAVs.
• Locating and counting marine iguanas from aerial imagery.
• Comparison of UAV survey results with traditional ground-based surveys.
• Evaluation of orthomosaics and 3D models for different terrains.

Main Results:

• UAV surveys demonstrated superior count reliability and required less field effort compared to ground-based methods across varied terrains and population densities.
• Consumer-grade drones and standardized manual flying protocols are effective, even for novice pilots.
• Orthomosaics are recommended for flat terrains, while 3D models are suitable for cliffside surveys.

Conclusions:

• The developed UAV protocols significantly enhance the monitoring of Galápagos marine iguanas.
• These protocols are adaptable for monitoring other species in coastal and open landscapes globally.
• The study highlights the potential of UAV technology for effective wildlife conservation efforts.