Agricultural drone mapping helps precision agriculture and significantly improves the production efficiency and resource utilization of farms of all sizes. Topography plays a vital role in agriculture. Here we will deeply explain the role of drones in agricultural terrain mapping.
What is agricultural drone mapping?
Agricultural drone terrain measurement mainly uses advanced sensors and imaging technology, combined with data processing software to achieve high-precision terrain measurement.
Through high-precision terrain mapping and multispectral image analysis, drones can help farmers accurately grasp soil moisture, crop health and terrain characteristics, thereby optimizing irrigation, fertilization and planting plans.
Autel Dragonfish - Next-Gen Multi Mission eVTOL
What is terrain?
Agricultural terrain refers to the surface morphology and characteristics directly related to agricultural production activities, including the ups and downs of the terrain, slope, slope direction, ground undulations (such as plains, hills, mountains, basins, etc.) and the distribution of surface cover (such as vegetation, soil type).
The main types of agricultural terrain include: flat areas, hills, mountains, plateaus, valleys, coastal areas, and wetlands. Each terrain has unique characteristics that affect water availability, soil quality, sunlight, and thus agricultural potential.
Depending on the different agricultural terrains, choose the right crops and develop agriculture according to local conditions.
How does terrain affect agricultural development?
Agricultural terrain is the basis of agricultural production. It affects many aspects such as farmland cultivation methods, irrigation and drainage, crop selection, soil management, and mechanized operations.
1. Impact on irrigation and drainage system design
Slope and water flow: The ups and downs and slope of the terrain determine the natural direction of water flow. Flat terrain is suitable for large-scale irrigation, while slopes require terraces or contour irrigation systems to reduce soil erosion.
Water management: Low-lying terrain is prone to water accumulation, which may cause crop root hypoxia or diseases (such as root rot). Through terrain mapping (such as using drones to generate digital elevation models, DEMs), farmers can identify waterlogged areas and design drainage ditches or improve terrain.
Water resource utilization: Topography affects the efficiency of water resource allocation. In arid areas (such as the Australian Outback), farmers use the slope of the terrain to build small dams to collect rainwater for irrigation.
2. Determine crop planting and land use
Slope and crop selection: The slope of the terrain affects the suitability of crops. Flat terrain is suitable for growing water-intensive crops such as rice and corn, while steep slopes are more suitable for growing drought-tolerant crops such as grapes and tea.
Soil distribution: Topography affects soil deposition and erosion. Valley lowlands usually have fertile soils and are suitable for high-yield crops; while slopes have thin soils and need to grow crops with well-developed root systems (such as pasture) to prevent erosion.
Microclimate effects: The height and slope of the terrain affect the local climate. For example, south-facing slopes receive more sunlight and are suitable for growing warm-loving crops (such as tomatoes); while shaded slopes are more suitable for cold-tolerant crops (such as potatoes).
3. Influence on soil erosion and protection
Erosion risk: Steep terrain is prone to soil erosion, especially in areas with high rainfall. Terrain analysis can help farmers take protective measures such as planting cover crops, building contour strips or terraces.
Soil management: Terrain data helps identify areas at high risk of erosion, where farmers can plant deep-rooted plants (such as alfalfa) or set up windbreaks to protect soil structure.
4. Optimize the use of agricultural machinery
Mechanized operation: Flat terrain is suitable for large agricultural machinery (such as combine harvesters), while steep terrain may require small equipment or manual operation. Topographic mapping can help plan the operation path of machinery and reduce equipment wear and tear.
Precision agriculture: Terrain data combined with drones or GPS technology can achieve variable fertilization and seeding. Reduce the amount of fertilizer in areas with larger slopes to avoid nutrient loss; increase seeding density in flat areas to increase yields.
5. Support precision agriculture and resource management
Terrain mapping: Agricultural drones help farmers analyze terrain features and optimize resource allocation by generating digital elevation models and digital surface models. For example, the Autel EVO II PRO RTK V3 drone can generate high-precision terrain maps, identify low-lying areas and plan irrigation channels.
Water management: Terrain affects soil moisture distribution. Low-lying terrain has more water and may need to be drained; high-lying terrain has less water and needs to increase irrigation frequency. Accurate terrain data can help farmers implement zoned irrigation and save water resources.
Fertilization optimization: The slope of the terrain affects the risk of fertilizer loss. Fertilization on slopes requires reducing the amount or using slow-release fertilizers, while flat terrain can increase the amount of fertilizer to increase yields.
6. Impact on agricultural disaster prevention and control
Floods and droughts: The terrain determines the probability of floods and droughts. Low-lying terrain is prone to floods, while high terrain may face the risk of drought. Terrain analysis can help farmers plan disaster prevention measures in advance, such as building drainage ditches or reservoirs.
Landslides and mudslides: In mountain agriculture, unstable terrain may lead to landslides or mudslides, threatening the safety of farmland. Through terrain monitoring (such as regular drone mapping), farmers can identify risk areas and take protective measures.
How do drones conduct agricultural terrain mapping?
Drone mapping is an indispensable assistant for modern precision agriculture, helping farmers achieve sustainable development goals, obtain higher returns and contribute to environmentally friendly production.
1. High-performance agricultural drones with powerful payloads
Agricultural drones are usually equipped with high-resolution RGB cameras, multispectral/hyperspectral cameras, LiDAR, infrared sensors, and GPS/RTK modules to measure terrain and provide accurate data.
High-resolution RGB cameras: used to capture high-definition visible light images and generate two-dimensional and three-dimensional terrain models.
Multispectral/hyperspectral cameras: In addition to visible light, they can also capture infrared and other band data for analyzing terrain features and vegetation coverage.
LiDAR: By emitting laser pulses and measuring the reflection time, it generates high-precision three-dimensional point cloud data, which is particularly suitable for penetrating vegetation and directly measuring surface height.
Infrared sensors: used to detect changes in surface temperature and humidity, indirectly assisting terrain analysis.
GPS/RTK modules: provide centimeter-level positioning accuracy to ensure that data accurately matches the actual geographic location.
For example, the Autel Dragonfish drone can carry multiple camera payloads to obtain data collection results in various forms, which can efficiently complete the data model.
2. Data collection process
Flight planning: Use Autel drone software to plan the flight path to ensure coverage of the target area. The path is usually set in a grid or strip shape, and the flight altitude is adjusted according to the complexity of the terrain and sensor requirements.
Automatic flight and data collection: The drone flies along the preset path, and the sensor takes images or scans the terrain at fixed intervals. The eVTOL drone Autel Dragonfish is suitable for complex terrain because it does not require a flat take-off and landing site.
Terrain following mode: Some drones such as the Autel Dragonfish series and EVO Max 4T support terrain following function, which adapts to terrain undulations by adjusting the altitude in real time to ensure data consistency.
3. Data type and terrain model
For agricultural drones equipped with high-definition RGB cameras, RTK modules, and radar systems, the collected data can eventually generate the following terrain-related models:
Digital elevation model (DEM): reflects the natural height of the surface, removes the interference of vegetation and artificial buildings, and is suitable for analyzing slope and drainage direction.
Digital surface model (DSM): contains all surface features and is used for overall terrain assessment.
Digital Terrain Model (DTM): Focuses on surface topography, provides pure height information, and is often used for irrigation and planting planning.
Point cloud: A dense 3D point set generated by LiDAR, which can be directly used to generate high-precision terrain models.
Orthomosaic Map: Multiple aerial photos are stitched into a high-resolution 2D map for visualization of terrain and crop distribution.
4. Data processing and analysis
Software processing: Import the collected raw data into professional software (such as Pix4Dfields, Autel Mapper or DroneDeploy) for processing. The software converts image or point cloud data into terrain models through Photogrammetry or LiDAR point cloud processing.
Terrain feature extraction: Analyze information such as slope, aspect, and elevation changes. For example, DSM can help identify low-lying areas and plan drainage systems; NDVI maps combined with terrain data can optimize seed and fertilizer distribution.
Accuracy calibration: Calibrate data through RTK modules and GCPs to ensure that the error of the terrain model is at the centimeter level. Autel RTK drone series supports centimeter-level accuracy, improving the accuracy of measurement data.
5. Specific applications in agriculture
Irrigation and drainage planning: Use DEM and DSM to analyze terrain heights, identify waterlogging areas, and design efficient irrigation and drainage systems. For example, Autel thermal imaging drones can quickly identify and detect leaks in irrigation pipes through thermal imaging.
Planting optimization: Plan crop planting areas based on terrain slope and soil characteristics to avoid planting crops that are susceptible to erosion on steep slopes.
Soil analysis: Combine terrain data and multispectral images to analyze soil moisture, salinity, fertility, etc., and optimize fertilization and irrigation.
Terrain monitoring: Regular flights to monitor terrain changes and prevent landslides or erosion, especially in rainy spring.
Summary
Agricultural drones can efficiently and accurately map terrain and generate terrain models such as DEM, DSM, and DTM by carrying RGB cameras, LiDAR, and multispectral sensors, combined with RTK positioning and professional software. These data play a key role in irrigation planning, planting optimization, and soil management.
While costs and regulations can present challenges, its efficiency and adaptability make it an indispensable tool in modern agriculture.
