Author(s): Kristy Kollaus; Thomas Heard; Rachel Williams; Thomas Hardy
Linked Author(s): Thomas Hardy
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: The application of unmanned autonomous systems (UAS) in natural resource applications has dramatically increased over the last decade with access to high quality low cost systems. UAS offer reliable platforms for the acquisition of high spatial resolution digital imagery suitable for quantitative monitoring of restoration activities. Applied restoration studies involving UAS to assess aquatic vegetation are becoming more wide spread but the full range in the utilities of the UAS still need to be explored. The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) (EARIP[1]) was created in part for protection of several endangered species and guide river restoration in the San Marcos and Comal River ecosystems (Texas, USA) while allowing for sustainable recreation along the river corridors. As part of the Edwards Habitat Conservation Plan, restoration measures within the San Marcos River (Texas, USA) have specific long-term biological targets for the removal of nonnative aquatic vegetation and restoration of native species including the endangered Texas wild rice (Zizania texana). Annual reporting requires documentation of the changes in aerial coverage of aquatic vegetation, specifically the overall reduction of non-native vegetation species and the subsequent expansion of native aquatic vegetation. The baseflow of the upper San Marcos River is dominated by groundwater discharge, exhibiting exceptional water clarity and providing a unique opportunity to assess the utility of a UAS to assist in monitoring aquatic vegetation changes. A UAS has been used to acquire high resolution digital imagery at long term biological monitoring locations to document pre-and post-vegetation restoration activities. Imagery is utilized to develop highly accurate estimates of the aerial extent of non-native aquatic vegetation species and the temporal monitoring of native aquatic vegetation restoration activities. The digital imagery and subsequent delineation of aquatic vegetation provides a permanent digital record supporting the EAHCP monitoring and compliance requirements.
Year: 2018