A field shown with drone multispectral imaging

Multispectral Imaging and Mapping Services Farm, Forest, or Environmental Sectors - Drones inspect larger areas in less time.

Multispectral Drone Mapping For Agriculture and Ecology

As the world becomes more technologically advanced, it's essential to keep up with the latest advancements in your field of work. Agriculture and ecology are no exception. That's where multispectral drone mapping comes in.

Multispectral imaging is a cutting-edge technology that uses drones equipped with specialized cameras to capture images in various wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. This technology is particularly useful for agriculture and ecology applications in Ireland, where the climate and terrain can be challenging to navigate.

A multispectral image of crops being monitored using the GNDVI index
Crop Monitoring

Crop Monitoring

Multispectral imaging can be used for crop appraisals by providing valuable information on crop health, yield potential, and stress levels. By analysing the data collected from multispectral imaging, farmers can identify areas of the field that require attention and adjust their management practices accordingly. For example, they can identify and address nutrient deficiencies, water stress, or disease outbreaks before they become severe. Ultimately, this technology can help farmers optimise their crop yields and improve their profitability through mechanisms such as precision agriculture, while also promoting more sustainable farming practices.

A multispectral map of land and a water feature using the NDVI index
Ecology Monitoring

Ecology Monitoring

For ecological monitoring, multispectral drone mapping can provide a wealth of information about the health of your ecosystem. By analysing the data collected by the drones, you can identify areas where biodiversity is thriving, as well as areas where invasive species may be taking over. This information can then be used to develop targeted conservation and management strategies that will help you protect and preserve the environment.

A multispectral image of land and a water pond using the NDRE index
Irrigation Monitoring And Planning

Irrigation Monitoring And Planning

Multispectral imaging can aid irrigation by providing detailed information about crop health and moisture content, allowing farmers to optimise their water usage. By analysing images captured across multiple spectrums, including visible, infrared, NIR and thermal, multispectral imaging can identify areas of a field that are stressed due to insufficient or excess water, enabling farmers to adjust irrigation accordingly. It can also detect signs of disease or pest infestations, allowing for targeted treatment and prevention measures which can improve crop yields while reducing water waste, making irrigation practices more efficient and sustainable.

A multispectral image of a land being appraised
Land Appraisal

Land Appraisal

Multispectral imaging can be used for land appraisals by providing detailed information about the land's physical properties, vegetation cover, and other relevant features. The technique involves capturing images of the land using sensors that can detect various wavelengths of light, from visible to infrared. These images can then be analyzed to identify areas of the land that may have different soil types, moisture levels, or vegetation health, all of which can affect the land's value. Multispectral imaging can also be used to track changes in land use over time, such as improvement/deterioration of soil quality or changes in agricultural practices, providing valuable data for property appraisals and land management.

Why use a drone for your multispectral mapping?

Safety

The safety of your personnel and our own is paramount, and we place it at the forefront of our company culture. Ask us about our HSSE systems and practices.

Cost-efficient

Drone inspections take up less of your manhours and resources than traditional inspections, giving you a faster and more budget-friendly return on your investment.

Detect hidden problems

We use cutting-edge technologies to detect problems that would otherwise be invisible. These include 4K ultra-HD photography/video, LIDAR and thermal imaging.

Greater Accuracy

Drones capture high-quality, impartial information that gives you an exact assessment of the status and needs of your asset.

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Thermal IR technology and ultra HD allow our engineers to get a view that is not available to the naked eye. From a safe distance, we can find defects and insights that are only visible with a drone.

Quick turnaround

We understand that you need answers fast. We can deliver a plain-English report with clear-cut conclusions in days. Then, you can take the steps you need to and get back to doing what you do best.

Rapid response

Need us there in a hurry? No problem. Let us know what you need, and we can be there on the same day. After all, sometimes the problem just won't wait.

Real-time consulting

Sometimes the brief can change even in real-time. If need be, you can be stood there right next to the drone operator, directing them as the situation develops.

Multispectral Mapping

With multispectral drone mapping, you can quickly and efficiently obtain accurate, high-resolution imagery of your crops or ecological sites. This technology uses advanced sensors that capture data across a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light and infrared radiation. This information can then be analyzed to identify areas of concern, such as plant stress, disease, or pest infestations.

With Engineers With Drones, you can trust that your multispectral drone mapping needs are in good hands. We are committed to delivering timely and reliable service that exceeds your expectations. Our team is passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems, and we believe that multispectral drone mapping has the potential to make a significant impact in the world of agriculture and ecology.

Precision Agriculture

By using multispectral drone mapping for agriculture, you can make informed decisions about how to manage your crops, optimizing yield and minimizing waste. The data collected by the drone can be used to create detailed maps of your fields, highlighting areas that need attention and allowing you to take action before problems escalate. With this level of precision, you can also tailor your approach to each specific area of your field.

Prescription Maps

Multispectral data can analyzed and processed to create a detailed map of the field. Using this map, farmers can then create a prescription map, which specifies the application rate for each area of the field. This prescription map can be loaded into a VRT-enabled application system. As the application equipment moves across the field, the VRT system automatically adjusts the input rate in real-time based on the prescription map.

Ecology Mapping

For ecological monitoring, multispectral drone mapping can provide a wealth of information about the health of your ecosystem. By analysing the data collected by the drones, you can identify areas where biodiversity is thriving, as well as areas where invasive species may be taking over. This information can then be used to develop targeted conservation and management strategies that will help you protect and preserve the environment.

Multispectral Imaging Indices Explained

At its core multispectral imaging involves acquiring multiple images of the same area of the ground at different wavelengths of light. These images can be combined to create various spectral indices that provide important information about the surface features and properties. The various indices provide valuable information for a wide range of applications, including agriculture, forestry, water resource management, and environmental monitoring.

Here are some commonly used multispectral indices and their applications:

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI):

NDVI is a widely used index that measures the amount of live green vegetation in an area. It is calculated by subtracting the reflectance of near-infrared (NIR) radiation from the reflectance of red visible light and dividing the result by their sum. NDVI values range from -1 to +1, with higher values indicating more healthy vegetation.

Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI):

GNDVI is similar to NDVI but is more sensitive to green vegetation, and is less affected by soil brightness or background reflectance. It is calculated by subtracting the reflectance of green visible light from the reflectance of NIR radiation and dividing the result by their sum.

Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI):

EVI is a modified version of NDVI that provides a better measure of vegetation in areas with dense canopies or where the soil is visible. It is calculated by combining the reflectance of blue, red, and NIR wavelengths.

Normalized Difference Red Edge (NDRE):

NDRE is an index that measures the difference between the reflectance of red-edge light and NIR radiation, which is particularly sensitive to vegetation stress and biomass. It is used in precision agriculture for crop health monitoring and yield prediction.

Leaf Chlorophyll Index (LCI):

LCI is an index that measures the amount of chlorophyll in leaves, which is an indicator of plant health and photosynthetic activity. It is calculated by combining the reflectance of red and NIR wavelengths.

Modified Chlorophyll Absorption in Reflectance Index (MCARI):

MCARI is another index that measures chlorophyll content in leaves, but it is less affected by changes in leaf structure or background reflectance. It is calculated by combining the reflectance of blue, green, and red wavelengths.

Soil-Plant Nitrogen Index (SPNI) or Structure Insensitive Pigment Index (SIPI3):

SPNI or SIPI3 is an index that measures the amount of nitrogen in plants, which is an important nutrient for growth and productivity. It is calculated by combining the reflectance of red and NIR wavelengths, and is commonly used in precision agriculture for nitrogen management.

Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI):

SAVI is similar to NDVI but is adjusted to account for the presence of bare soil in the area. This index is calculated by dividing the difference between the reflectance of NIR and red light by their sum, plus a soil brightness adjustment factor.

Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI):

NDWI is an index that measures the presence of water in an area. It is calculated by subtracting the reflectance of short-wave infrared (SWIR) radiation from the reflectance of green visible light and dividing the result by their sum. NDWI values range from -1 to +1, with higher values indicating more water.

Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR):

NBR is an index that measures the severity of fire damage to vegetation. It is calculated by subtracting the reflectance of NIR radiation from the reflectance of SWIR radiation and dividing the result by their sum.

Urban Area Index (UAI):

UAI is an index that measures the amount of impervious surfaces in an urban area, such as roads, buildings, and pavements. It is calculated by combining the reflectance of green, red, and NIR wavelengths.

Our Services Not just photos from the sky

Our drones (and our people) can offer a lot more than just HD images. Our team all come from specialist engineering backgrounds, and they use all the very latest drone technologies and capabilities to deliver expert analysis on all types of commercial, civil and industrial assets. If you need an engineer's expertise, next-generation drone technology and industry-leading deliverables, then you've come to the right place.

Drone Photography

Capture high-quality imagery of your assets from never before seen vantage points.

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Multispectral

See the condition and health of crops and vegetation with multispectral imagery.

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3D LIDAR Surveys

Record incredibly detailed elevation data to aid in ultra-precise measurements and calculations.

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Geospatial Surveys

Map the features and topography of your land/space efficiently using drone technology.

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Thermal Imaging

Detect abnormalities within your assets that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye.

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