By Blake Jackson
Penn State researchers have developed a new drone-based mapping system that could help farmers improve land management while reducing pollution risks. The study shows the new method can provide nearly the same accuracy as expensive LiDAR technology while costing less and offering easier access for agricultural use.
The research focuses on identifying hydrologically sensitive areas and phosphorus critical source areas on farmland. These locations are important because they collect or move water quickly, increasing the risk of fertilizer and manure runoff entering streams and waterways. Accurate maps help farmers and water resource managers make better decisions about crop planting and conservation practices.
The new system uses drones equipped with cameras to capture hundreds of overlapping photographs. Researchers then apply a process called “Structure from Motion” photogrammetry, which combines the images into detailed three-dimensional maps of the landscape.
“Our new technique uses a small drone to take hundreds and hundreds of photographs, essentially duplicating what a LiDAR model does,” said Patrick Drohan, professor of pedology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Researchers compared the drone-based maps with maps created using LiDAR, a technology that uses laser pulses from aircraft or satellites to measure land surfaces. While LiDAR is highly accurate, it is often expensive and may not be updated regularly.
The team tested the system at four farm sites in eastern Pennsylvania. They compared drone imagery with LiDAR data collected in 2017 and checked accuracy using hundreds of ground control points. Results showed a nearly perfect elevation correlation of 0.999 between the two systems. Differences in mapping runoff-sensitive areas remained below 1.53%.
“The drone method gives almost the same answers as LiDAR, meaning that drones plus structure from motion photogrammetry are a viable, cheaper alternative to LiDAR,” Drohan said.
Researchers believe the technology can support precision agriculture, improve environmental protection, and help farmers reduce nutrient runoff more effectively. The project also demonstrates how affordable drone systems can provide faster updates for farm planning and conservation decisions.
Photo Credit: pexels-flo-dnd
Categories: Pennsylvania, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety