The challenge of using drones

Abstract

Drones are mechanical devices that are, to varying degrees, mobile and can operate remotely from a human operator in aerial, terrestrial or water contexts. They can be used in varied ways to help protect the environment and can also facilitate or cause biodiversity harm. Drones are a mix of technologies for locomotion, sensing and communication, to which other technologies can be added. Each technology is rapidly evolving, and so are the capabilities and potential uses of drones. This chapter considers some benefits, costs and risks of drones’ technology and examines how these might be better managed. In doing so the chapter considers biodiversity governance challenges that arise with technologies more generally, including (for example) equipment, chemicals and bio-tech.