Operational Framework for Rapid, Very-high Resolution Mapping of Glacial Geomorphology Using Low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Structure-from-Motion Approach
This study presents the operational framework for rapid, very-high resolution mapping of glacial geomorphology, with the use of budget Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and a structure-from-motion approach. The proposed workflow comprises seven stages: (1) Preparation and selection of the appropriate platfor...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/11/1/65 |
| _version_ | 1818974099219677184 |
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| author | Marek W. Ewertowski Aleksandra M. Tomczyk David J. A. Evans David H. Roberts Wojciech Ewertowski |
| author_facet | Marek W. Ewertowski Aleksandra M. Tomczyk David J. A. Evans David H. Roberts Wojciech Ewertowski |
| author_sort | Marek W. Ewertowski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study presents the operational framework for rapid, very-high resolution mapping of glacial geomorphology, with the use of budget Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and a structure-from-motion approach. The proposed workflow comprises seven stages: (1) Preparation and selection of the appropriate platform; (2) transport; (3) preliminary on-site activities (including optional ground-control-point collection); (4) pre-flight setup and checks; (5) conducting the mission; (6) data processing; and (7) mapping and change detection. The application of the proposed framework has been illustrated by a mapping case study on the glacial foreland of Hørbyebreen, Svalbard, Norway. A consumer-grade quadcopter (DJI Phantom) was used to collect the data, while images were processed using the structure-from-motion approach. The resultant orthomosaic (1.9 cm ground sampling distance—GSD) and digital elevation model (7.9 cm GSD) were used to map the glacial-related landforms in detail. It demonstrated the applicability of the proposed framework to map and potentially monitor detailed changes in a rapidly evolving proglacial environment, using a low-cost approach. Its coverage of multiple aspects ensures that the proposed framework is universal and can be applied in a broader range of settings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T15:34:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-43b9e3f9d14d468589c60ae35de4ae79 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T15:34:40Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj.art-43b9e3f9d14d468589c60ae35de4ae792022-12-21T19:35:28ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922019-01-011116510.3390/rs11010065rs11010065Operational Framework for Rapid, Very-high Resolution Mapping of Glacial Geomorphology Using Low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Structure-from-Motion ApproachMarek W. Ewertowski0Aleksandra M. Tomczyk1David J. A. Evans2David H. Roberts3Wojciech Ewertowski4Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Krygowskiego 10, 61-680 Poznań, PolandFaculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Krygowskiego 10, 61-680 Poznań, PolandDepartment of Geography, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UKDepartment of Geography, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UKFaculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Krygowskiego 10, 61-680 Poznań, PolandThis study presents the operational framework for rapid, very-high resolution mapping of glacial geomorphology, with the use of budget Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and a structure-from-motion approach. The proposed workflow comprises seven stages: (1) Preparation and selection of the appropriate platform; (2) transport; (3) preliminary on-site activities (including optional ground-control-point collection); (4) pre-flight setup and checks; (5) conducting the mission; (6) data processing; and (7) mapping and change detection. The application of the proposed framework has been illustrated by a mapping case study on the glacial foreland of Hørbyebreen, Svalbard, Norway. A consumer-grade quadcopter (DJI Phantom) was used to collect the data, while images were processed using the structure-from-motion approach. The resultant orthomosaic (1.9 cm ground sampling distance—GSD) and digital elevation model (7.9 cm GSD) were used to map the glacial-related landforms in detail. It demonstrated the applicability of the proposed framework to map and potentially monitor detailed changes in a rapidly evolving proglacial environment, using a low-cost approach. Its coverage of multiple aspects ensures that the proposed framework is universal and can be applied in a broader range of settings.http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/11/1/65UAVdroneGISglacial geomorphologymappingSfM |
| spellingShingle | Marek W. Ewertowski Aleksandra M. Tomczyk David J. A. Evans David H. Roberts Wojciech Ewertowski Operational Framework for Rapid, Very-high Resolution Mapping of Glacial Geomorphology Using Low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Structure-from-Motion Approach Remote Sensing UAV drone GIS glacial geomorphology mapping SfM |
| title | Operational Framework for Rapid, Very-high Resolution Mapping of Glacial Geomorphology Using Low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Structure-from-Motion Approach |
| title_full | Operational Framework for Rapid, Very-high Resolution Mapping of Glacial Geomorphology Using Low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Structure-from-Motion Approach |
| title_fullStr | Operational Framework for Rapid, Very-high Resolution Mapping of Glacial Geomorphology Using Low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Structure-from-Motion Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Operational Framework for Rapid, Very-high Resolution Mapping of Glacial Geomorphology Using Low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Structure-from-Motion Approach |
| title_short | Operational Framework for Rapid, Very-high Resolution Mapping of Glacial Geomorphology Using Low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Structure-from-Motion Approach |
| title_sort | operational framework for rapid very high resolution mapping of glacial geomorphology using low cost unmanned aerial vehicles and structure from motion approach |
| topic | UAV drone GIS glacial geomorphology mapping SfM |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/11/1/65 |
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