Articles | Volume 7, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-7-1033-2016
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-7-1033-2016
Review article
 | 
14 Jul 2016
Review article |  | 14 Jul 2016

sUAS and their application in observing geomorphological processes

Jozef Gallik and Lenka Bolešová

Abstract. Methodologies and procedures in processing gained data vary based on possibilities and needs of scientific projects. This paper should help to get a general overview in the choice of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS – commonly known as drones) for scientific purposes, namely remote sensing of geomorphologic processes such as soil degradation in high mountainous areas that are hard to access and have unfavourable weather conditions. All high mountain areas in European countries are legislatively protected, and so various permissions and observation of strict procedures are needed in order to not have a negative influence on the environment. Nowadays, several types of UAS exist that could effectively help us in such protection, as well as in full-fledged utilization when answering scientific questions about the alpine lake genesis. We demonstrate it here with selected examples of our photo documentation.

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Short summary
Technology is moving ahead very fast, and so researchers have new possibilities for their research. We tried to demonstrate benefits of using remote-sensing technology (Phantom 1 drone) such as its accuracy in the terrain, easy access to hardly accessible areas, and the possibility to collect data even during unfavourable weather conditions. The high mountainous environment provided us great conditions for testing the drone as a device for very easy and accurate mapping of natural phenomena.