Using a Mavic 2 Pro for habitat analysis - it's still a workhorse!

[AMann]

I have been using my IR-modified Mavic 2 Pro to do vegetation monitoring on a local National Forest (US). I did the IR conversion myself using Kolarivision directions, which was very easy! I used their IR Chrome filter to produce false color infrared images of the riparian vegetation growing along a creek. The purpose of the study was to determine the amount of recovery after a wildfire swept through the area back in 2022. Note: The Kolari IR Chrome filter is not calibrated to do NDVI vegetation index work, so I used the red (IR) band to only detect coverage in the images. Kolari's Blur IR filter is appropriate for doing NDVI crop health surveys.

Here is a description of the workflow, and some results for the process (It is OK to share these files):

A DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone, equipped with an infrared-modified camera and KolariVision IR Chrome filter, was manually flown at 120 meters AGL (the maximum legal altitude). Approximately 240 overlapping images (25% overlap) were captured along the riparian corridor. The IR Chrome filter passes blue and green wavelengths (around 470-550nm) and longer infrared wavelengths (720nm and up), which combine to produce a false color infrared image that highlights vegetated areas.

Post-processing involved generating a false color infrared orthomosaic (GeoTIFF) using Adobe Bridge, WebODM, and QGIS. Pre-fire NAIP imagery and the processed post-fire orthophoto were imported into ArcGIS Pro for georeferencing, image classification, and area calculations. Figure 2 outlines the workflow used for image processing and analysis.

Results​

Using ArcGIS Pro’s geometry attributes tool, the total Area of Interest (AOI) was measured at 680,191.4 m² (68 ha). Riparian vegetation coverage was then calculated for pre-fire and post-fire datasets:

• Pre-fire (May 5, 2022): 167,520.2 m² (16.8 ha), representing 24.6% of the AOI
• Post-fire (October 6, 2025): 122,606.6 m² (12.3 ha), representing 18.0% of the AOI

The comparison indicates a loss of 44,916.6 m² (4.5 ha) of riparian habitat (pre-fire - post-fire), equivalent to a 26.8% decline [((post-fire - pre-fire) / post-fire) x 100%] in total riparian vegetation cover within the study reach. Figures 3 and 4 show the resulting 2022 NAIP Pre-fire and 2025 Drone Post-fire orthophoto maps within the AOI.

 

[offtheback]

Nice work!Are you by chance an engineer?

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View attachment 185795

 

[Cafguy]

My air 2s is the greatest ever I have flown it way past its life expectancy and then some and it still flies like I just took it out of the box !

 

[AMann]

Naw, my Dad was an engineer though. I am a retired teacher and wildlife biologist, but I still like to do projects and love playing with GIS and making maps with my drone! Plus, I like doing volunteer projects with it - of which this was one for the Forest Service and my final project in my GIS class (I'm taking some GIS classes for fun also).
Thanks for the compliments, though!

-Anthony

 

[Mescom]

Thank you for sharing. I recently picked up an IR Chrome filter for my M2P as well to use for photography, but with all the fires we’ve had in southern Oregon I may get a chance to try this too.

 

[guzewski]

That is so cool.

 

[Tallistman]

I have been using my IR-modified Mavic 2 Pro to do vegetation monitoring on a local National Forest (US). I did the IR conversion myself using Kolarivision directions, which was very easy! I used their IR Chrome filter to produce false color infrared images of the riparian vegetation growing along a creek. The purpose of the study was to determine the amount of recovery after a wildfire swept through the area back in 2022. Note: The Kolari IR Chrome filter is not calibrated to do NDVI vegetation index work, so I used the red (IR) band to only detect coverage in the images. Kolari's Blur IR filter is appropriate for doing NDVI crop health surveys.

Here is a description of the workflow, and some results for the process (It is OK to share these files):

A DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone, equipped with an infrared-modified camera and KolariVision IR Chrome filter, was manually flown at 120 meters AGL (the maximum legal altitude). Approximately 240 overlapping images (25% overlap) were captured along the riparian corridor. The IR Chrome filter passes blue and green wavelengths (around 470-550nm) and longer infrared wavelengths (720nm and up), which combine to produce a false color infrared image that highlights vegetated areas.

Post-processing involved generating a false color infrared orthomosaic (GeoTIFF) using Adobe Bridge, WebODM, and QGIS. Pre-fire NAIP imagery and the processed post-fire orthophoto were imported into ArcGIS Pro for georeferencing, image classification, and area calculations. Figure 2 outlines the workflow used for image processing and analysis.
View attachment 185793

Results​

Using ArcGIS Pro’s geometry attributes tool, the total Area of Interest (AOI) was measured at 680,191.4 m² (68 ha). Riparian vegetation coverage was then calculated for pre-fire and post-fire datasets:

• Pre-fire (May 5, 2022): 167,520.2 m² (16.8 ha), representing 24.6% of the AOI
• Post-fire (October 6, 2025): 122,606.6 m² (12.3 ha), representing 18.0% of the AOI

The comparison indicates a loss of 44,916.6 m² (4.5 ha) of riparian habitat (pre-fire - post-fire), equivalent to a 26.8% decline [((post-fire - pre-fire) / post-fire) x 100%] in total riparian vegetation cover within the study reach. Figures 3 and 4 show the resulting 2022 NAIP Pre-fire and 2025 Drone Post-fire orthophoto maps within the AOI.

View attachment 185794

View attachment 185795

I have had a MP2 for a number of years and have not stopped having new uses for it. Great to use with my M3T.