11 December 2024: New study compares walrus counts from drones and satellites

A recent study by Cubaynes and colleagues, titled “Walruses from space: walrus counts in simultaneous remotely piloted aircraft system versus very high-resolution satellite imagery”, was published in Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation in May 2024. This research explores innovative methods for abundance monitoring of walrus populations by comparing counts made using drones and high-resolution satellite images.

The study tested both technologies at the same time to evaluate their accuracy and reliability. Using drones provides detailed localised images, while satellite imagery allows for coverage of much larger areas. By comparing the two methods, the researchers assessed the strengths and limitations of each approach, paving the way for improved monitoring of walrus populations, especially in remote Arctic regions.

You can read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.391

Photo credit: J. Blair Dunn, DFO