About the Project

Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), also known as drones, offer a lower cost, less invasive alternative to traditional ground-based monitoring for emergent vegetation that also provides higher resolution images than satellite-based imagery. “Drone the SWMP,” a 2020 NERRS Science Collaborative catalyst project, used UAS to monitor wetlands in six reserves, then assessed and developed a standardized protocol that includes equipment operation, image processing, and image analysis. This project built on the work of Drone the SWMP by transferring their protocol for monitoring coastal wetlands and evaluating its efficacy in assessing and monitoring emergent vegetation across more reserves representing a wider range of biogeographic regions.

About this Resource

The project approach outlined three key tasks: 1) develop a community of practice focused on drone monitoring in the NERRS; 2) Assess the existing “NERRS Drone Marsh Monitoring SOP” produced during the 2020 catalyst project in the context of new biogeographic regions; and 3) share findings and results with the NERRS community. The reports below summarize the activities and findings from each of those objectives.

Community of Practice Report: Highlights ideas and needs related to the development of a NERRS-wide community of practice for drone monitoring, as identified by project participants.

UAS Needs Assessment: Summarizes existing drone usage and needs survey results from NERRS staff.

Final Whitepaper: Summarizes project activities, including successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Also includes appendices summarizing key takeaways from the in-house symposium hosted by the project team and qualitative feedback on the 2020 drone marsh monitoring protocol.