Monitoring White-Tailed Deer Populations Using a Drone and Thermal Camera
[Past Projects]
Dr. Randy Mitchell and Stuart Davis
This study will use a thermal camera mounted to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to study white-tailed deer populations and migration patterns in conjunction with Bath Nature Preserve and the Summit Metroparks. While drones are a big part of the study, other methods for mapping deer will be utilized as to have something to compare the drone sampling method to.
Why Use a Drone?
The main advantages of this method of sampling is that it should be less prone to human error. Instead of a compass, protractor and rangefinder that are required for distance sampling (them method most commonly used), the drone can collect all the necessary data instantly and more reliably. Deer have developed a camouflage that makes it difficult to locate them in some environments. The thermal camera above the tree line with its line of sight not inhibited by trees take away any doubts that a researcher may have in locating and identifying the white-tailed deer. Also, the locations will be georeferenced and digitized and in GIS software any time after the fact.
For more information on this project email Stuart Davis at spd34@zips.uakron.edu.
Click here for other information about Dr. Mitchell’s lab.
