Summary
This in-depth review examines the role of unmanned aerial vehicles in hydrological sciences and water resources management, positioning UAVs as a cost-effective method to address gaps in spatial and temporal data resolution that satellite, manned aircraft and ground-based monitoring cannot readily fill. The authors synthesise emerging UAV technologies, design innovations and applications across soil and water characterisation, agricultural water management, ecosystem monitoring and hydrological modelling, whilst systematically addressing both opportunities and constraints in surface water, groundwater and land-atmosphere interaction studies.
UK applicability
The methodological frameworks and technological assessments presented would be applicable to UK water resource management, particularly for monitoring small-scale agricultural water systems, riparian zones and flood-risk areas where fine spatial resolution and rapid deployment are needed. UK practitioners might adapt the cost-benefit analyses and sensor recommendations to inform national hydrological monitoring strategies and catchment management interventions.
Key measures
UAV sensor technologies, spatial and temporal data resolution, cost-effectiveness relative to alternative remote sensing methods, applications to surface water, groundwater, land-atmosphere interactions and hydrological modelling
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for characterisation, monitoring, assessment and modelling of soil and water resources across multiple contexts including agriculture, forestry and ecosystem management. The study evaluates both the technological opportunities and practical challenges of UAV-based data collection relative to traditional satellite, manned aircraft and in situ measurement methods.
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