ABSTRACT
Aerial surveys of aquatic vegetation with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) provide high-resolution maps at relatively low cost. These maps are used to determine the percentage cover of aquatic vegetation or to estimate total biomass when coupled with ground truth measurements. This data enables effective management of aquatic vegetation that balances practical engineering considerations with ecosystem health. This chapter provides a detailed introduction to aquatic vegetation monitoring with UAS. It covers field deployments, ground truth sampling, hydraulic measurements, processing aerial imagery and lab work for vegetation biometrics. This data is then pulled together at larger spatial scales to evaluate total cover, total biomass, and hydraulic interactions, which provide inputs for targeted management of aquatic vegetation. Finally, this chapter discusses emerging technologies that have exciting implications for aquatic vegetation monitoring with UAS.
