A Drone's View of Plant Disease Ecology and Ethics
Abstract
As a drone pilot, ecologist, and scientist comfortable with emerging remote sensing technologies I have designed my dissertation around using drones to understand landscape processes and the ethical challenges associated with using drones as they intersect with privacy concerns. This work is organized into two main parts, with the first part exploring the role of plant pathogens in wildlands and the use of drones to enhance plant disease research. The second part examines the legal and ethical implications of commercial use of drone technology.
In the first half, I used drones to map the distribution of host plants in diverse wildland communities, contributing to a better understanding of plant diseases in two closely related wildland manzanita plant species. I employed advanced computer modeling techniques to accurately identify dominant plant species, crucial for conservation efforts in this challenging landscape. Additionally, I used analytical approaches to examine the relationship between the amount of time that leaves have wet surfaces and the association with the spatial distribution of plants along a coastal to inland climate gradient, providing valuable insights into diseasedynamics.
The second part of this work explores the ethical considerations of using drones and the importance of balancing the benefits of drone technology with minimizing harm to the environment, respecting privacy expectations, and ensuring transparency and equity. I analyzed the historical, legal, and policy aspects of drone use, focusing on federal safety regulations and state privacy laws. The tension between federal and state regulations underscores the need for drone pilots to be well-versed in both. Then, I examine the existing federal certification framework for drone pilots and identify the lack of training on privacy ethics and best practices for maintaining transparency. I propose expanding professional certification beyond the federal program to include a focus on privacy concerns. This certification, administered through non-profit organizations collaborating with commercial and higher-education entities, can help establish industry standards and provide essential training for drone pilots.
Overall, this dissertation demonstrates the significant potential of drones in ecological research, particularly in studying plant diseases and wildland conservation. And, highlights the importance of ethical considerations, privacy protection, and transparent practices in the use of drone technology for scientific purposes.