Aerial surveys are conducted from aircraft, helicopters, or hot air balloons to gather data for various purposes such as mapping, wildlife, forestry, fisheries, and community surveys. Cameras and GPS devices are used to document and track locations. Aerial survey management software is available for data analysis. Aerial surveys cover more ground and have higher resolution than satellite imagery.
An aerial survey is a survey that is conducted from the air. There are several types of aerial surveys, ranging from surveys conducted to improve maps to surveys of wildlife populations. This type of investigation can be performed by government agencies, private organizations or companies contracted to conduct an investigation. Aerial survey data is used in a wide variety of contexts.
Aircraft are commonly used for aerial surveys, but helicopters and hot air balloons can also be used. As the aerial survey begins, people identify the target, including the area to be covered, and confirm that the weather conditions are favourable. The weather should usually be clear, with light winds, so that visibility is good and the aerial survey pattern does not have to be changed to accommodate bad weather.
In many aerial surveys, cameras are used to document the survey. Both still and video cameras can be used and, as well as capturing images in the visible range of the spectrum, they can also detect emissions from areas of the spectrum such as the infrared region. This can sometimes provide valuable insight into the area being investigated. Inspectors may also keep records, such as when people conduct a wildlife survey and make a note of every animal sighted.
During aerial surveying, the aircraft uses GPS devices to carefully track its location, while also tagging footage and logs with location fixes so people know exactly where things were seen. Some examples of things aerial surveys can be used for include: mineral exploration, wildlife surveys, forestry surveys, fisheries surveys, maps, and community surveys.
Aerial survey management software is available from several companies, with various products tailored to specific surveying tasks. The software can be used to create detailed logs which can later be analyzed to process aerial survey data. Raw survey data is not always published, due to the sheer volume of material, but can be made available upon request.
Performing aerial surveys allows people to cover a lot of ground, unlike surveys on foot or in vehicles. It also has a higher resolution capability than satellite imagery, allowing people to balance the desire for detail with the need for wide coverage. This surveying technique is extremely popular in many areas of the world, and the information gleaned from aerial surveys continues to expand human understanding of the world around us.
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