Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones have been proposed as deterrent tools to mitigate pest birds' problems. Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of drones, mainly to protect crops, fishponds and airports. Little information can be acquired on using drones in industrial areas. In this study, two types of drones, categorized as multirotor drones and fixed-wing drones, were used to evaluate their efficacy in reducing pest birds, Asian glossy starling (Aplonis panayensis) flocks in one of the semiconductor factories in Kulim Hi-tech Park, Kedah, Malaysia during dusk. Each drone was evaluated during its five minutes of operation time and five minutes after landing. Control data were also taken to compare drone treatment days with no drone treatment days. Our result shows a significant difference between multirotor drone treatment and control treatment but not between fixed-wing drone treatment and control treatment due to different altitudes applied, ambient light intensity and size of flight path covered. We suggest implementing biomimetic design into drones and applying other conventional ground deterrents to prolong the residual effect of post-treatment.
Read more at https://beei.org/index.php/EEI/article/download/7359/3948
Urban green spaces are vital for sustainability, but not all green is equal. A new study from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) used drones equipped with NDVI cameras and traditional Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) to assess the health of Samanea saman (Rain Trees) across campus. The results show a clear trend: trees growing in non-paved areas are significantly healthier than those in paved environments. While drone imagery quantified foliage density, VTA provided a detailed look at roots, trunks, and overall vigor.
On average, only 27.8% of USM's studied area qualified as green space—well below the 50% ideal for sustainable cities. Trees in paved areas often suffer from poor soil aeration, limited water infiltration, and root compression. These stressors reduce health outcomes and ecological services provided by urban trees. The research highlights the need for permeable pavements and better urban design to ensure the long-term vitality of city greenery.
Further reading at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nik-Fadzly/publication/375889309_Proportions_of_Green_Area_and_Tree_Health_on_University_Campus_The_Impact_of_Pavement_Presence/links/66ac3431299c327096a3469f/Proportions-of-Green-Area-and-Tree-Health-on-University-Campus-The-Impact-of-Pavement-Presence.pdf
Monitoring Bornean orangutans in dense rainforest habitats has long been a challenge for researchers—especially during nocturnal hours. A pioneering study by Universiti Sains Malaysia tested the feasibility of using drones equipped with thermal imaging (FLIR Vue) to detect orangutan sleeping sites in the Semenggoh Nature Reserve and Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre. The results were promising: heat signatures of orangutans were successfully captured in open canopy areas, and some individuals were even observed sleeping on rooftops in semi-wild environments.
While dense vegetation limited visibility, the white-hot thermal mode enabled researchers to identify nests and large-bodied primates from above—especially during calm, dry nights. The study highlighted the potential of drone-mounted thermal sensors for wildlife conservation, especially in areas too risky or remote for manual surveys. As drone and imaging technologies continue to advance, this method could play a vital role in long-term orangutan monitoring and anti-poaching surveillance, provided sufficient support, training, and ethical compliance are in place.
Read more at
https://jssm.umt.edu.my/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2019/10/14-14.5.pdf