Drones in use: Are they revolutionizing agriculture and nature observation?

Drones in use: Are they revolutionizing agriculture and nature observation?

On June 24, 2025, the day started with a 2.7 kilometer hike to the Waterberg Plateau, which winds through a spectacular, rocky landscape. With Chacma baboons lining the path, the natural surroundings offered a unique view on the hike. These experiences will be unforgettable, but the main focus of the day was the practical use of drone technology in the field of agriculture.

After breakfast, Prof. Ben Strohbach gave a lecture on the possibilities of drones for mapping pasture degradation. Using drone images, important parameters such as vegetation height, volume and leaf area can be precisely calculated using QGIS. These techniques, supported by machine learning and AI algorithms, help to identify and locate plant species in flown areas, which is particularly important for monitoring vegetation. Effective management of grassland depends heavily on the identification of relevant plant species. These observations are critical to rangeland health.

Drones for grassland management

Today's technologies make it possible to detect not only forage plants, which are indicators of good grassland, but also harmful and poisonous plants that can affect feed quality and animal health. The Smart Farming department at Fraunhofer IGD has developed specific models that are used to identify plants with centimeter precision. The relevance of this technology has been reinforced by the new eco-regulations of the EU CAP, which support the promotion of extensive grassland, which is also important for biodiversity.

Dr. Gunnar Dressler led an introduction to modeling social-ecological systems. Participants were given the task of estimating the number of water bottles that would fit in the lecture hall. During the sessions, the need for models, particularly agent-based models, was discussed. It was shown that such rangeland management models can be used to simulate different scenarios and analyze the effects of shock events from both an ecological and socio-economic perspective.

Modeling and rangeland management

A significant element of today's training was the use of NetLogo, a programming language that allows complex systems to be modeled. Participants worked in groups to develop a rangeland management model. Dr. Dressler presented a fully functional model that allowed participants to simulate rangeland conditions using adjustable parameters. Three core rules underpinned the theory: models must have a purpose, they should be kept simple, and it must be accepted that all models are wrong but some may be useful.

Nali Moyo's last lecture also took place during the day. She dealt extensively with pasture restoration and the importance of social and ecological components in successful pasture management. Discussions on indicators of land degradation and possible solutions from the perspective of community farmers revealed that patience is the key to success. The day ended with a traditional Namibian braai (barbecue) under the expansive starry sky. This provided an opportunity for conversations and shared games that strengthened the participants' sense of community.

Drones are more than just a technical aid in agriculture and forestry. They are revolutionizing the way farmers and foresters work by providing accurate aerial images and providing valuable information to minimize costs and labor. Their use goes far beyond mere monitoring, as they also play a central role in pest control and determining the nutrient status of plants. Combined with developments in smart farming and the increasing use of drone technology, the future of agriculture will be significantly impacted in many ways.

The developments in using drones are promising and lay the foundation for more efficient methods in agriculture. The use of these technologies will not only improve the economic conditions for farmers, but also make a valuable contribution to ecological sustainability.