THE MONITORING METHOD USING UAV OF THE HABITAT FOR AN ENDANGERED TIGER BEETLE IN A CREATED SANDY SHORE

Abstract

 We evaluated a surveying method that utilize UAV to develop habitat monitoring procedures for the endangered tiger beetle Cicindela lewisi. A study area was a sandy shore created for the purpose of mitigation of the loss of its original habitats. Our study showed that if UAV was utilized at an altitude of 30 m or less, it could estimate the habitat topography with practical accuracy. It was also revealed that this method could save labor and surveying time efficiently. It is suggested that the UAV monitoring method can make high frequent topographical surveys possible leading to steady progress in conservation of Cicindela lewisi.