Drought has effects that can scar landscapes for years. While many native plants in your area have their coping mechanisms and rebound processes for dealing with these arid times, non-native plants may not—and landmarks can experience massive changes that never fully heal. If you own a large parcel of land, you need to keep an eye on it somehow to prevent outbreaks of plant disease and to monitor the changes going on. Aerial imaging is the easiest way to do this because it can use different camera settings and features to identify specific problems.
1. See Changes in Water Boundaries
If any water is on your property, aerial imaging is necessary. Drought will change the boundaries of those features; even sea coasts may see changes as rivers that feed into the see dry up and leave dry, sandy plains behind. Viewing the changes from the air is the best way to get a look at the big picture. If you rely on that water for anything, knowing about a change in river course or a shrinking lake on a far-off part of the property can help you anticipate changes in water use or sourcing.
2. Find Diseased Trees
Dried-out trees are perfect hosts for many pathogens, from fungi to insect pests. They're also the perfect tinder for starting a fire. An overhead view of the colors of the trees on your property can show you if there are patches of trees that need to be removed immediately to prevent the spread of wildfire and to eliminate dangerous pathogens that could affect the rest of the trees in the area.
3. Watch for Disappearing Grasses and Other Plants
As drought causes shrubs to die back and grasses to disappear, the exposed ground can add to any dust problems you may have. The disappearance of these plants also doesn't bode well should heavy rains once again appear; there would be nothing to stop the erosion of the remaining soil. When you can spot areas where plants have disappeared and only bare ground is left, you can start dust-control procedures and monitor the area for flooding when the rains come back.
Some aerial imaging is possible using drones, but a manned-flight with professional imaging provides more customized services. Don't assume the land will heal itself—keep track of all the drought-linked changes so you can help the land return to its healthier state. Contact aerial imagery acquisition services to learn more.