Drone Imaging for Invasive Species

As part of a senior project, the VAR Lab explored how drone imaging could be used to support the identification and documentation of invasive species across outdoor environments. The project focused on using aerial imagery to view plant growth patterns, landscape changes, and areas of concern from perspectives that are difficult to capture from the ground.

Drone-based imaging provided a wider view of the site, allowing the project team to document larger areas more efficiently and examine how invasive species may spread across a landscape. This type of workflow can support environmental research, land management, and educational projects by creating visual records that help researchers and students better understand ecological change over time.

This project demonstrates how drone systems can be used beyond traditional photography or mapping. By applying aerial imaging to environmental monitoring, the VAR Lab helped show how emerging technology can support practical research questions related to invasive species, conservation, and landscape documentation.