Welcome to the High-Latitude Drone Ecology Network (HiLDEN)
We are network of high-latitude ecologists using drones to answer ecological questions across 73 landscapes sites spanning all Arctic nations. Our aims are to facilitate the development and synthesis of mesoscale Arctic research through sharing protocols and field expertise to improve the collection of drone remotely-sensed data in tundra ecosystems.
SPECIAL ISSUE – CALL FOR PAPERS (Reach out ASAP if interested)
Unoccupied Vehicle Systems in Arctic Research and Monitoring
Journal of Unmanned Vehicle Systems (JUVS) and Arctic Science (AS) are joining forces to produce a joint collection on applications of drones in the Arctic.
Full details here: https://cdnsciencepub.com/topic/as-juvs (note APCs are WAIVED for this issue)
The use of drones and other unoccupied vehicles in research is surging thanks to their unique capacity to collect very high-resolution remote sensing data and samples in a distinctly convenient, timely, unobtrusive and economical fashion. An area where they are proving especially beneficial is in remote Arctic locations where it is otherwise inherently hazardous to conduct conventional aerial or underwater surveys with humans onboard.
Arctic drone applications that have emerged in recent years include wildlife surveys (e.g. seabirds, marine mammals), glaciological research and monitoring, sea ice and other Arctic Ocean monitoring operations, snow depth estimation, habitat mapping and analysis (e.g. tundra landscape, permafrost, vegetation), meteorological and atmospheric measurements, and emergency response (e.g. search and rescue). Beyond aerial drones, other types of unoccupied vehicles—including ground rovers, surface vessels and submersibles—are also increasingly being put into use in the Arctic. Despite many successful applications, the characteristically harsh conditions of the far north pose distinct challenges for these typically small and lightweight robotic vehicles, which researchers are still developing innovative ways to cope with.
Established by Jeff Kerby and Isla Myers-Smith.
General questions? Contact us!
Interested in contributing data? Click here to fill out an ingest form
Interested in protocols from previous years? Click here for field protocols
Support from:
Drone Ecology Network 