Protected rangelands in desert shrub habitats are typically large spaces with low biodiversity an... more Protected rangelands in desert shrub habitats are typically large spaces with low biodiversity and sparse biomass. These conditions are optimal for monitoring by drone, since alternatives are prohibitively expensive. Over 600 plants were photographed at 2, 6 and 20 mm ground sampling distances. Each was identified in situ by a resident botanist, and then by two botanists familiar with the region, but not the specific location. At the highest resolution of 2mm, plants were classified to the genus level with 70% accuracy or more. At the lowest resolution of 20mm, 40% of annuals, biennials and dwarf shrubs were classified correctly. Results indicate that it would be feasible in this habitat to conduct repeated measures over a predefined sample area with reasonable accuracy, and thus estimate biomass change within plant categories.
Protected rangelands in desert shrub habitats are typically large spaces with low biodiversity an... more Protected rangelands in desert shrub habitats are typically large spaces with low biodiversity and sparse biomass. These conditions are optimal for monitoring by drone, since alternatives are prohibitively expensive. Over 600 plants were photographed at 2, 6 and 20 mm ground sampling distances. Each was identified in situ by a resident botanist, and then by two botanists familiar with the region, but not the specific location. At the highest resolution of 2mm, plants were classified to the genus level with 70% accuracy or more. At the lowest resolution of 20mm, 40% of annuals, biennials and dwarf shrubs were classified correctly. Results indicate that it would be feasible in this habitat to conduct repeated measures over a predefined sample area with reasonable accuracy, and thus estimate biomass change within plant categories.
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