Commission Agenda Item No. 14
Presenter: Tim Birdsong

Briefing
Application of Unmanned Aerial Systems Technology in Support of
TPWD Fish and Wildlife Conservation Goals
August 22, 2013

  1. Executive Summary: Staff will highlight results and recommendations from a three-year study focused on evaluating potential applications of unmanned aerial vehicle technology in support of TPWD fish and wildlife conservation goals.
  2. Discussion: In collaboration with researchers at Texas State University and Utah State University, TPWD recently completed a multi-divisional, three-year study to evaluate potential applications of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology in the assessment and monitoring of fish and wildlife populations and their habitats. Specific applications of the UAV technology tested during the study included (1) assessment of instream and riparian habitats to guide fish habitat improvements in rivers and streams, (2) mapping of enduring pools in rivers and streams during drought and low-flow conditions to guide native fish conservation efforts, (3) angler and boat counts in rivers and bay systems to assess recreational fishing pressure, (4) habitat assessments at multiple Wildlife Management Areas, including a post-fire assessment of the effectiveness of a controlled burn, (5) monitoring of ongoing coastal wetland habitat restoration projects, (6) surveys of nesting bird rookeries, and (7) mapping of seagrass habitats. This presentation will discuss the effectiveness of the UAV technology in meeting the geospatial data and information needs of the fish and wildlife conservation projects referenced above and compare and contrast the technology to traditional survey methods.