{"id":12187,"date":"2025-04-03T09:21:52","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T14:21:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin-new\/?post_type=campus_story&p=12187"},"modified":"2025-04-03T09:21:52","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T14:21:52","slug":"uw-stevens-point-graduate-researcher-takes-conservation-to-new-heights-with-drone-technology","status":"publish","type":"campus_story","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/story\/uw-stevens-point-graduate-researcher-takes-conservation-to-new-heights-with-drone-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"UW-Stevens Point graduate researcher takes conservation to new heights with drone technology"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Photo<\/a>
Wood ducks captured using infrared technology (left) alongside a zoomed-in visible light image (right).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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In Wisconsin\u2019s serene wetlands, wildlife conservation is soaring to new heights.<\/p>\n

Amanda Griswold, a graduate student in the\u00a0College of Natural Resources<\/a>\u00a0at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, is using drones equipped with thermal cameras to transform how biologists monitor waterfowl populations and protect critical habitats.<\/p>\n

Griswold\u2019s research, guided by her adviser, Assistant Professor Ben Sedinger, explores how uncrewed aerial systems can improve waterfowl conservation efforts. Sedinger, the Kennedy-Grohne Chair in Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation, provided mentorship throughout the project, which was supported by a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources grant. Additional funding included a scholarship from the Wisconsin Waterfowl Hunters Expo and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, as well as the David R. Luukkonen Waterfowl and Wetland Graduate Student Fellowship awarded by Ducks Unlimited.<\/p>\n

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\"UW-Stevens
UW-Stevens Point graduate student Amanda Griswold operates a drone for her research on waterfowl conservation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

For decades, waterfowl surveys relied on aerial flights in small planes and ground-based observations. These traditional methods have limitations, particularly in detecting every bird in each area. But Griswold\u2019s study, conducted over two years, shows that drones are changing the game.<\/p>\n

Griswold and her team used drones to survey a variety of wetland habitats, identifying 773 breeding pairs and 573 waterfowl broods. They estimated densities at 6.76 pairs and 1.32 broods per square kilometer. The drones, equipped with thermal imaging technology, effectively detected birds in areas where traditional surveys often struggled. By flying at heights that minimized disturbance, the drones ensured the birds\u2019 natural behaviors remained unaffected throughout the surveys.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur findings show that drones are a reliable and efficient tool for monitoring breeding waterfowl populations,\u201d Griswold said. \u201cThey improve detection rates while reducing the need for time-intensive ground surveys.\u201d<\/p>\n

This research directly benefits conservation by providing data on waterfowl populations and habitat use, allowing conservationists to better prioritize restoration and management efforts. By identifying areas with high breeding activity or critical habitats for broods, resources can be allocated more effectively to ensure the survival of these species. Additionally, the reduced labor and cost associated with drone surveys make conducting more frequent or widespread assessments possible, giving managers the tools they need to respond to emerging challenges, such as habitat degradation or climate change impacts, in real-time.<\/p>\n

The research also tested the Wisconsin Waterfowl Habitat Conservation Strategy, a tool that ranks watersheds for conservation priority. While the strategy accurately identified areas where breeding pairs thrive, it was less precise in predicting habitats suitable for broods\u2014ducklings and their mothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cPair presence and density aligned well with the conservation rankings and wetland areas,\u201d Griswold said. \u201cBut brood densities depended more on seasonal timing and local conditions. This suggests our models need refinement to capture the complexities of quality brood habitat fully.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sedinger highlighted the project\u2019s collaborative approach and its potential impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis research combines advanced technology with ecological expertise to address real-world conservation challenges,\u201d he said. \u201cDrones give us the ability to observe waterfowl in ways we couldn\u2019t before, allowing for more precise conservation strategies. It\u2019s an exciting step forward for waterfowl and wetland conservation.\u201d<\/p>\n

As wildlife populations face threats from habitat loss and climate change, conservationists are turning to tools that guide restoration efforts with precision. Thanks to Griswold\u2019s innovative work, Sedinger\u2019s mentorship and support from state agencies, Wisconsin\u2019s wetlands offer a hopeful outlook for waterfowl populations and their habitats.<\/p>\n

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Written by UW-Stevens Point<\/p>\n

Link to original story: https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/news\/graduate-researcher-takes-conservation-to-new-heights-with-drone-technology\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  In Wisconsin\u2019s serene wetlands, wildlife conservation is soaring to new heights. Amanda Griswold, a graduate student in the\u00a0College of Natural Resources\u00a0at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, is using drones equipped with thermal cameras to transform how biologists monitor waterfowl populations and protect critical habitats. Griswold\u2019s research, guided by her adviser, Assistant Professor Ben Sedinger, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":12191,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","institution":[95],"story_category":[],"class_list":["post-12187","campus_story","type-campus_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","institution-uw-stevens-point"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story\/12187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/campus_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12187"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"institution","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/institution?post=12187"},{"taxonomy":"story_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story_category?post=12187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}