Introduction

The escalating global challenge of climate change demands ever more precise, localized, and frequently updated data to understand its multifaceted impacts and inform effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. While traditional ground-based measurements and satellite imagery offer valuable insights, they often lack the spatial resolution, temporal flexibility, and cost-effectiveness required for granular monitoring of dynamic environmental processes. This is where drone-based remote sensing emerges as a game-changer. Equipped with advanced sensors like multispectral, thermal, LiDAR, and even gas analyzers, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) can capture high-resolution data from unique vantage points, providing unparalleled detail on deforestation, glacier melt, coastal erosion, water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and ecosystem health. By filling critical data gaps, drones empower scientists, policymakers, and conservationists to gain deeper insights into environmental changes, quantify impacts, and develop targeted responses to the climate crisis. This essential training course focuses on Drone-Based Remote Sensing for Climate Change Monitoring, equipping professionals to deploy and leverage UAS for critical environmental intelligence.

This intensive training course provides a comprehensive and practical guide to utilizing drones for collecting and analyzing remote sensing data specifically for climate change monitoring. Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of various drone platforms and specialized sensors (multispectral, thermal, LiDAR, gas) optimized for environmental data acquisition. We will delve into mission planning for climate-related surveys, data processing workflows (photogrammetry, point cloud processing), and advanced analytical techniques for extracting meaningful insights, such as vegetation indices, volumetric changes, and atmospheric gas concentrations. By mastering the technical skills and methodological approaches for drone-based climate monitoring, you will be equipped to design, execute, and interpret aerial surveys that contribute directly to climate research, environmental conservation, and sustainable resource management.

Target Audience

• Environmental Scientists & Researchers
• Climate Change Analysts
• Conservation Biologists
• Hydrologists & Oceanographers
• Forestry & Agricultural Professionals
• Urban Planners & Land Managers
• GIS Specialists & Remote Sensing Analysts
• Government & NGO Environmental Agencies

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles of remote sensing as applied to climate change monitoring using drones.
• Identify and select appropriate drone platforms and specialized sensors for various climate-related data collection needs.
• Learn to design and execute efficient drone missions for capturing high-resolution environmental data.
• Master the techniques for processing raw drone-acquired imagery and sensor data into actionable products.
• Develop proficiency in generating and interpreting vegetation indices (e.g., NDVI) for ecosystem health monitoring.
• Understand how to utilize thermal imagery for monitoring temperature anomalies and water stress.
• Gain expertise in processing and analyzing LiDAR data for elevation models, biomass estimation, and glacial changes.
• Explore the application of drone-based gas sensors for greenhouse gas emissions monitoring.
• Learn techniques for change detection and time-series analysis of drone data to track environmental shifts.
• Integrate drone data with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for comprehensive spatial analysis and visualization.
• Design a complete drone-based remote sensing project for a specific climate change monitoring application.

DURATION

10 Days

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Introduction to Drones & Remote Sensing for Climate

• The global challenge of climate change and the need for data.
• Defining remote sensing and its role in environmental monitoring.
• Advantages of drones (UAS) over traditional methods for climate data collection.
• Overview of key climate change indicators that drones can monitor.
• Case studies of successful drone applications in climate research.

Module 2: Drone Platforms for Environmental Monitoring

• Multirotor vs. fixed-wing drones for different mission types.
• Payload capacity and endurance considerations for sensor integration.
• Ruggedized drones for harsh environmental conditions.
• Autonomous flight capabilities and their importance in remote sensing.
• Regulatory considerations for operating drones in sensitive environmental areas.

Module 3: Specialized Sensors for Climate Data Acquisition

• RGB cameras for visual documentation and land cover mapping.
• Multispectral sensors for vegetation health, water quality, and land use change.
• Thermal cameras for surface temperature, water stress, and heat signatures.
• LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) for 3D terrain models, biomass, and forest structure.
• Miniaturized gas sensors (CO2, CH4) for localized emissions monitoring.

Module 4: Mission Planning for Climate Change Surveys

• Defining mission objectives based on climate monitoring goals.
• Designing flight paths for optimal data capture: overlap, altitude, speed.
• Considerations for challenging environments: mountains, coastlines, dense forests.
• Weather forecasting and its impact on data quality and safety.
• Pre-flight checks and risk assessment for environmental missions.

Module 5: Photogrammetry & Orthomosaic Generation

• Principles of photogrammetry for creating 2D and 3D models.
• Processing drone imagery to generate orthomosaics, Digital Surface Models (DSMs).
• Georeferencing and accuracy considerations for environmental mapping.
• Quality control for orthomosaic outputs: distortion, stitching errors.
• Software tools for cloud-based or desktop photogrammetry processing.

Module 6: Analyzing Vegetation Health with Multispectral Data

• Understanding the electromagnetic spectrum and plant reflectance.
• Calculating common vegetation indices: NDVI, GNDVI, NDRE.
• Interpreting vegetation index maps for crop health, forest vigor, and stress detection.
• Time-series analysis of vegetation indices to track changes over seasons or years.
• Applications in deforestation monitoring, agricultural resilience, and ecosystem degradation.

Module 7: Thermal Imagery for Environmental Assessment

• Principles of thermal infrared sensing and temperature measurement.
• Applications of thermal drones: water temperature, heat loss from buildings, wildlife detection.
• Identifying thermal anomalies related to pollution or ecological stress.
• Monitoring glacier melt and ice dynamics with thermal data.
• Analyzing heat stress in vegetation or urban heat islands.

Module 8: LiDAR Data for 3D Environmental Modeling

• Principles of LiDAR technology: active sensing, point clouds.
• Processing LiDAR data for bare-earth Digital Terrain Models (DTMs).
• Estimating biomass and forest carbon sequestration from point clouds.
• Monitoring coastal erosion and topographic changes using multi-temporal LiDAR.
• Analyzing glacier volume changes and ice sheet dynamics.

Module 9: Greenhouse Gas & Air Quality Monitoring with Drones

• Introduction to drone-mounted gas sensors for CO2, CH4, N2O.
• Localized emissions source identification (e.g., landfills, industrial sites).
• Mapping pollutant distribution at fine spatial scales.
• Integrating gas sensor data with meteorological models.
• Challenges and best practices for accurate atmospheric measurements.

Module 10: Change Detection & Time-Series Analysis

• Methodologies for detecting environmental changes over time using drone data.
• Multi-temporal image registration and normalization.
• Quantifying deforestation rates, land-use change, and urban sprawl.
• Monitoring shoreline dynamics, river meandering, and flood plain evolution.
• Analyzing the impacts of extreme weather events and recovery.

Module 11: GIS Integration & Spatial Analysis

• Importing and managing drone-derived data in GIS software.
• Performing spatial analysis: buffering, overlay, network analysis.
• Creating thematic maps and visualizations for climate change communication.
• Integrating drone data with other geospatial datasets (satellite, ground truth).
• Advanced spatial statistics for environmental pattern analysis.

Module 12: Data Interpretation & Reporting for Climate Action

• Interpreting remote sensing results in the context of climate science.
• Quantifying environmental impacts and benefits of interventions.
• Developing compelling reports and presentations for stakeholders.
• Communicating scientific findings to non-technical audiences.
• Informing policy and decision-making for climate resilience and adaptation.

Module 13: Emerging Technologies & Future of Drone Climate Monitoring

• Hyperspectral imaging for more detailed spectral signatures.
• AI and Machine Learning for automated feature extraction and anomaly detection.
• Drone swarms for large-scale, coordinated data collection.
• Integration with IoT sensors and real-time data streaming.
• The role of drones in international climate agreements and reporting.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.