Lecture: The use of drones for ecological monitoring in the Middle East by Dr David Gallacher

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm

VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

LECTURE SUMMARY:

Small civilian drones have the potential to revolutionize the way that ecological conservation is managed in the Middle East, by providing efficient routine monitoring systems of plants and animals.  Archaeological sites can also be accurately documented with relative ease, opening doors for augmented reality experimentation.  This presentation will show some visual examples of ecological monitoring and archaeological documentation within the UAE.  Most of the potential is still in the future, but I'd like to share some hopes and dreams for that wonderful place:

• We understand how the desert ecosystem is changing over time.  Long term ecological effects of overgrazing and water extraction are understood.
• Every single archaeological site on the Arabian Peninsula is stored in digital 3D.  Maybe even the roundabouts.
• Know what is happening with the most endangered species.  There's a lot of programming needed to make this happen, but it's important.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: 

Dr Gallacher is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Zayed University. He uses micro-UAV (drone) mounted cameras to improve knowledge and management of rangelands in the Middle East.

David graduated with 1st class Honors from the University of Melbourne for his BS Bachelor of Agricultural Science, and then undertook a PhD in Plant Genetics at James Cook University of North Queensland. He enjoys natural science, technology and travel.  He’s one of the few people in the world who can call themselves a drone ecologist, has visited 53 countries and worked in the UAE since 2002.

In his own words its “hard to see the dreamer through all the quantitative stuff that gets in the way.”