Near real-time ultrahigh-resolution imaging from unmanned aerial vehicles for sustainable land use management and biodiversity conservation in semi-arid savanna under regional and global change (SAVMAP)

To prevent aggravation of existing poverty in semi-arid savannas, a comprehensive concept for the sustainable adaptive management and use of these ecosystems under unprecedented conditions is needed. SAVMAP is an innovative, trans-, and inter-disciplinary initiative whose goal is to develop a valuable monitoring tool for both sustainable land-use management and rare species conservation (black rhinoceros) in semi-arid savanna in Namibia. SAVMAP uses near real-time ultrahigh-resolution photographic imaging (NURI) facilitated by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed at EPFL.