Study of fauna population changes on Penguin Island and Turret Point Oasis (King George Island, Antarctica) using an unmanned aerial vehicle

• DOI: 10.1007/s00300-018-2379-1
• Publication Date: 2018-07-25T10:43:32Z
• Authors: Małgorzata Korcza...; Anna Zmarz; Mirosław Rodzewicz; Marlena Kycko; Izabela Karsznia; Katarzyna J. Chwe...
• Keywords: Pygoscelis

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as an alternative to manned aircrafts is excellent, less invasive, safe tool, especially in sensitive polar regions. Here we used a fixed-wing UAV collect data on seabird and pinniped populations hardly accessible Antarctic areas. The implementation of auto-piloted equipped with digital camera (Canon EOS 700D, 35 mm f/2.0 lens) allowed us high-quality material applicable quantitative analysis the fauna populations. A successful photogrammetric mission, at altitude 550 m above sea level, was accomplished during one Beyond Visual Line Sight flight hard-to-access Penguin Island Turret Point Oasis (King George Island). Obtained selected RGB images were processed generate panoramic image stitch resolution 0.07 ground sampling distance. total 4290 (SD = 33.08) breeding individuals two penguin species, Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) chinstrap antarcticus), 426 7.78) southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) 6 Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii) identified both study Additionally, 222 2.0) giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) 76 1.0) shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps bransfieldensis) area recognized. presented observations natural history investigated together available literature may be useful future research population trends. comparison historical for areas suggests decrease 68.29% species 1980–2016 period. results confirmed that UAVs are remote census work seabirds.