Empowering Sustainable Land Management with Drone Technology and Geospatial Analysis
Northern Nigeria is facing severe environmental challenges, including deforestation, land degradation, and habitat fragmentation, which are exacerbated by climate change. These issues not only threaten the region’s biodiversity but also the livelihoods of its inhabitants. Effective land management practices are crucial to addressing these challenges, but traditional methods often fall short.
For two days, we had the privilege of conducting a training session with the FCT ACReSAL team on the powerful combination of drone technology and geospatial analysis using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Drone2Map. The team was eager to learn how to leverage these tools to support their mission of addressing environmental challenges in Northern Nigeria.
From Images to Insights with ArcGIS Pro
We started the day by exploring the capabilities of ArcGIS Pro for image analysis. The team learned how to extract valuable information from their drone-captured images, including NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), NDMI (Normalized Difference Moisture Index), and other critical metrics. These insights will enable them to monitor vegetation health, identify areas of high conservation value, and track changes in land use and land cover over time.
Unlocking the Power of Drone2Map
Next, we delved into the world of drone-based mapping using ArcGIS Drone2Map. The team discovered how to create stunning ortho-mosaics, digital elevation models (DEMs), and digital terrain models (DTMs) from drone-captured images. They learned how to stack, mosaic, and process images captured using multispectral and LiDAR sensors, resulting in highly accurate and detailed maps.
During the course of the processing, ArcGIS Drone2Map software
- Adjusted Images
- Performed Dense Matching
- 2D Products
- 3D Products
and produced True Ortho, Digital Surface Model & Digital Terrain Model.
Unlocking Collective Action through Data Sharing and Collaboration
But what’s the point of having accurate and actionable data if it’s not shared with those who need it? We emphasized the importance of sharing data and collaborating with stakeholders to drive collective action. The ACReSAL team learned how to share their maps, analysis results, and insights with various stakeholders.
The Impact of Geospatial Technology
By leveraging geospatial technology and drone-based mapping, ACReSAL can now:
- Monitor vegetation health: Track changes in vegetation cover, density, and health, enabling data-driven decision-making for conservation and management efforts.
- Identify areas of high conservation value: Pinpoint areas with high biodiversity, ecosystem services, or cultural significance, informing targeted conservation and restoration initiatives.
- Track land use and land cover changes: Analyze changes in land use and land cover over time, enabling the development of effective strategies to combat deforestation, land degradation, and habitat fragmentation.
Conclusion
It was an absolute pleasure to work with the FCT ACReSAL team and witness their enthusiasm and dedication to sustainable land management. We’re confident that the skills and knowledge gained during this training will have a lasting impact on their mission to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability in Northern Nigeria.
We’d like to thank the ACReSAL team for their hospitality and collaboration. We’re excited to see the amazing work they’ll accomplish with their newfound skills and look forward to continuing our partnership in the future!
If you’re interested in learning more about our training programs or geospatial solutions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be happy to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals.
About ACReSAL
ACReSAL is a pioneering project that aims to address the pressing issues of land degradation and climate change in Northern Nigeria. Through afforestation, climate-smart agriculture, farm input distribution, irrigation expansion, landscape restoration, regenerative agriculture, and sensitization activities, ACReSAL is working tirelessly to promote sustainable land management practices and mitigate the effects of climate change.
About Us
Sambus Geospatial specializes in providing geospatial solutions and training to government parastatals, organizations and individuals. We’re passionate about empowering people to make a positive impact on the environment and society using geospatial technology.