Abstract

Balloon mapping for conservation management
Track: Conservation
Authors: Shashank Srinivasan

Using tethered and free-flying high-altitude balloons, I have created a series of land-use/-cover maps that can be used for conservation management. The techniques demonstrated are especially useful in areas where near real-time remote sensing data is required but unavailable. While I have explored applications specific to conservation (such as vegetation cover) numerous other use-cases for balloon mapping exist, primarily as an alternative to imagery from drones, manned aircraft and satellites.