The Procedure for Processing Images from a Low-cost UAV

Sedlak, Pavel; Komarkova, Jitka; Masin, Oldrich; Jech, Jakub · 2019 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.23919/cisti.2019.8760952

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Summary

This paper outlines a procedure for using low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor landscape changes, specifically focusing on the coastal zones of small water bodies. The research addresses the need for efficient monitoring of areas that are often poorly accessible or unavailable for ground-based surveys. Small water bodies are significant landscape elements, and their shorelines change continuously due to natural factors like evaporation and anthropogenic influences. The authors aim to demonstrate that a mid-range drone, specifically the DJI Phantom 3 with a built-in camera, can effectively document these changes through conventional digital image processing methods. The study was conducted near Pardubice, Czech Republic, monitoring a specific pond named “Skříň.” The area of interest was a rectangular section of approximately 1,905 square meters, encompassing one coastline spur. Data collection occurred across four time horizons in early 2018: February 9, March 8, April 5, and April 20. The UAV flights were planned using DJI GO software, with the drone flying at an altitude of 39.6 meters and an average speed of 2.2 meters per second. The flights utilized 60% front and side overlaps to ensure comprehensive coverage. Due to the use of a standard RGB camera, multispectral data were not available, limiting the use of certain spectral indices. Data processing involved two software tools: OneButton 5.0 for creating image mosaics and ArcGIS for Desktop 10.5.1 for visual interpretation and digitization. The researchers manually digitized four categories within the coastal zone for each time horizon: water surface, ice, drawdown zone (periodically flooded areas), and coastal vegetation. This on-screen digitization allowed for the calculation of area changes for each category. The results indicated minimal changes at the beginning of the year, with significant ice cover in February and March. By late April, the ice had melted, leading to an increased water surface area and the emergence of new vegetation. Specifically, the water surface area expanded from 1,389.61 square meters in February to 1,581.28 square meters in late April, while ice coverage dropped from 43.60 square meters to zero. Coastal vegetation area fluctuated, reaching its smallest extent in March (256.73 square meters) and increasing by late April. The study concludes that low-cost UAVs provide a flexible and effective method for monitoring small water bodies, offering high spatial resolution data that facilitates detailed visual interpretation. The authors emphasize that even visible spectral band data can successfully identify landscape changes when processed correctly. This approach is particularly valuable for monitoring drawdown zones, which are critical habitats, and offers a cost-effective alternative to satellite imagery or in situ measurements for small-scale environmental monitoring.

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