A Literary Review on the Current State of Drone Technology in Regard to Conservation

Abstract

This paper will review the types and use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in conservation. Drones are being used as the preferred method of monitoring terrestrial and aquatic wildlife in difficult areas, thanks to the low price and efficiency that these tools offer. The paper discusses the three main types of drones: fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and hybrid. Fixed-wing drones are best suited for general surveillance of large areas and long-distance flights, while rotary-wing drones are small, light, and maneuverable, making them ideal for tasks such as photography, filmography, inspection, and surveillance. Hybrid drones are more complex, combining fixed and rotary wings or rotors. The paper also explores the potential benefits of adding solar panels to drones to improve their energy efficiency. Multiple instances of the successful use of drones in the field were documented, including drones being used to identify objects in water, land, or air. Advanced machine learning algorithms were proven to be highly effective in identifying targets for military, conservation, and other purposes. The optimal placement of docking stations for aerial drones was discussed, and how they could be found using a new algorithm, back-and-forth-k-opt simulated annealing, or BFKSA was also discussed. Overall, drones provide a cost-effective and efficient way to monitor and protect wildlife, making them an important tool for conservationists.