UAV / Hyperspectral (e.g. HySpex)

Owned by Maiwenn Herpe
Last updated: Jun 21, 2021 by Frederika Mourot
2 min read

Examples of potential applications

  • Bathymetry.

  • Algal bloom monitoring.

  • River / lake trophic status mapping.

  • Flood monitoring.

  • Water quality monitoring.

  • Wetland/river mapping.

  • Surface/material identification.

  • Species diversity.

  • Ecosystem monitoring.

Range of flight height and captured zone width (m)

Operated within line of sight, observation altitudes often capped at 120 m.

Airshare website

Spectral Range (nm)

c. 500-2500 nm,
with narrow band passes (4-5 nm).

Spatial Resolution (m)

Depends on flight altitude but typically < 1 m.

Benefits

  • Very high spatial resolution, with many narrow contiguous spectral band that allow good ability to identify materials.

  • Can adjust the time of imagery capture to the needs.

  • Ability to capture data in remote, unsafe or difficult to access locations, lowering safety risks.

Limitations

  • Need operator to acquire data in the field and battery life can limit survey duration.

  • Specialised sensors are expensive and need for skilled operators.

  • Limited by visibility constraints and poor weather conditions.

Selection of references

Banerjee BP, Raval S, Cullen PJ. 2020. UAV-hyperspectral imaging of spectrally complex environments. International Journal of Remote Sensing. 41(11):4136-4159. doi:10.1080/01431161.2020.1714771.

https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2020.1714771


Rossiter T, Furey T, McCarthy T, Stengel DB . 2020. UAV-mounted hyperspectral mapping of intertidal macroalgae Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Vol 242.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771419308431


Watt MS, Buddenbaum H, Leonardo EMC, Estarija HJ, Bown HE, Gomez-Gallego M, Hartley RJL, Pearse GD, Massam P, Wright L, et al. 2020. Monitoring biochemical limitations to photosynthesis in N and P-limited radiata pine using plant functional traits quantified from hyperspectral imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment. 248:112003. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2020.112003

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425720303734


Arroyo-Mora JP, Kalacska M, Inamdar D, Soffer R, Lucanus O, Gorman J, Naprstek T, Schaaf ES, Ifimov G, Elmer K, et al. 2019. Implementation of a UAV–Hyperspectral Pushbroom Imager for Ecological Monitoring. Drones. 3(1):12.

https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/3/1/12