Rajesh Singh,
- Research Scholar, Department of Environmental Studies, North Maharashtra University, Bhusawal, Maharashtra, India
Abstract
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly called drones, have rapidly transformed environmental research and management over the past decade. Their flexibility, improving sensor payloads, and ability to collect high-resolution spatial and temporal data make them powerful tools across disciplines — from biodiversity monitoring and precision agriculture to water quality assessment and disaster response. UAVs bridge the gap between ground-based surveys and satellite remote sensing by offering near-real-time, fine-scale data acquisition that can be tailored to specific research objectives. The integration of advanced imaging technologies such as multispectral, hyperspectral, LiDAR, and thermal sensors has further expanded their applicability in mapping vegetation health, detecting pollution sources, quantifying erosion, and assessing wildlife habitats This review synthesizes the state of knowledge on drone platforms and sensors, key environmental applications, data processing pipelines, limitations and challenges (technical, legal, and ethical), and future research directions. We emphasize methodological advances, best practices for study design, and integration of UAV-derived datasets into broader environmental monitoring frameworks. Moreover, we explore the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in automating image analysis and improving decision-making accuracy. As UAV technology continues to evolve, its potential for supporting sustainable environmental management, enhancing resilience to climate change, and enabling community-based monitoring initiatives grows substantially. Ten representative references are provided to guide further reading.
Keywords: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), environmental monitoring, remote sensing, drone applications, sustainable resource management
[This article belongs to International Journal on Drones ]
Rajesh Singh. Emerging Role of Drone Technologies in Environmental Research: Trends, Applications, and Future Directions. International Journal on Drones. 2025; 01(02):34-42.
Rajesh Singh. Emerging Role of Drone Technologies in Environmental Research: Trends, Applications, and Future Directions. International Journal on Drones. 2025; 01(02):34-42. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijd/article=2025/view=230381
References
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| Volume | 01 |
| Issue | 02 |
| Received | 27/10/2025 |
| Accepted | 28/10/2025 |
| Published | 30/10/2025 |
| Publication Time | 3 Days |
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