Researchers in The Bahamas have been testing just how good drone videos can be for estimating the abundance and distribution of large marine animals found just beneath the ocean’s surface. They flew aerial surveys using commercial-grade drones along six tidal creeks facing high and low human impact, to count sharks, rays, and sea turtles — groups that are both threatened and difficult to monitor. The findings from multiple sites suggest that shoreline development negatively affects the abundance and distribution of various marine species. The study also showed that using lower-cost consumer drones equipped with video cameras could help researchers effectively and non-invasively estimate abundance of these marine megafauna in shallow waters and compare data across sites. Using drones for wildlife surveys isn’t new to marine wildlife research, but it’s been focused mainly on detecting the large mammals and sea turtles that break the ocean’s surface to breathe. Researchers in The Bahamas wanted to test whether they could also locate the many sharks, rays, and other species that spend time just below the ocean’s surface using small, commercially available drones. They published their findings and testing methods last month. “We found that drones can be used to count and make […]
Latest Articles
Using Candy and Jam to Protect Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest
Takeaways: Luiz Henrique Lopes Ferreira is a 22-year-old who makes and sells candies, jam and liqueurs from more than a hundred varieties of local...
These Upcycled Bricks Filter Pollution from Rainwater Runoff
Takeaways: AquiPor Technologies have created bricks that absorb runoff water and pollution from rainwater runoff.
The runoff management prevents particle pollution from reaching rivers...
The Secret to Saving Mountain Gorillas
Takeaways: 40 years ago, the population of mountain gorillas was listed as 'critically endangered'; now there are over 1000 gorillas.
One of the reasons...
Recycling Partnership Plans to Collect a Billion Pounds of Recyclables Each Year
Takeaways: The Recycling Partnership has successfully diverted more than 770 million pounds of waste from landfills.
They started in 2014 and have helped communities...
Minimass Is a 3D-Printed Solution to a Problem
Takeaways: Minimass is a 3D printed concrete beam that aims to reduce the carbon footprint in the construction industry.
This can reduce the amount...
France Produces Offshore Wind Power For the First Time
Takeaways: The Saint-Naizaire offshore wind farm in western France has produced the first megawatt-hours from French offshore wind.
France is expected to have 50...