Using umnanned aerial vehicles for environmental monitoring and research at Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands (2016-2019)

The dataset is a collection of high resolution images and videos taken from drones at Sea Lion Island, starting in 2016. Semi-professional UAVs were used for 1) assessment of colonial marine birds (penguins, cormorants) nesting and breeding success; 2) monitoring of bird species that are particularly affected by human disturbance, and, therefore should not be surveyed directly (e.g., kelp gulls); 3) counts of southern sea lions (Otaria byronia), that breed in an area that is difficult to access; 4) study of the spatial structure of southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) harems; 5) study of killer whale (Orcinus orca) social behaviour and organization; 6) monitoring of landscape changes, in particular in the coastal and sand dune areas; 7) general mapping of the island; 8) assessment of management actions (e.g. tussac replanting). All together, the results were very positive, because the drone permitted to survey inaccessible areas, improve accuracy of colonial bird counts, and obtain landscape imagery on demand and with a limited effort. Further information is available on the research group website, www.eleseal.org.