To facilitate global collaborations, strengthening of international research structures, capacity building and global learning, the TREES project as solution strongly builds on international partnerships. The team itself is composed in most of the countries of international research tandems, whereby PhD and Master students originate from the country of study as well as Germany or other country. Whilst each student has his/her individual research focus, data collection is planned and implemented in the binational tandems. Supervision is provided in international supervision tandems whereby in each country a university is taking the country lead and co-supervision is provided by the project lead organization.
Setting up binational research teams contributes toward enhanced complexity thinking through integration of multiple perspectives and disciplines. This facilitates research on FLR implementation for enhanced analysis and solution development as well as capacity building and global learning through North-South and South-South collaborations. Joined field visits can facilitate students’ access to study sites, interaction with actors on the ground, and increased samples sizes if questionnaires are combined.
Establishing international PhD and Master student research tandems and building international co-supervision teams opens up new learning spaces and opportunities for collaborations. Different expertise and perspectives can be integrated in the different PhD and Master Thesis study projects, research design and implementation. Diversified research methods can be implemented in a complementary way to deepen FLR related analysis and combined interpretation perspectives enrich research output. If questions on data arise or verification is needed upon completion of the field trip, the tandem structure facilitates follow up field visits for complementation or verification of results. Knowledge derived and communicated via multiple channels in Germany and the F4F countries can enhance dialogue at the policy, practice, science interface within and across countries.
Evolution of on-board technologies and AI integration
Illustration of AI on crocodile monitoring
Clément Aubert with DALL-E
Advancements in on-board technologies and AI integration hold great potential to further enhance the existing drone-based crocodilian monitoring method. Improvements in drone hardware, such as hybrid models with extended flight times and enhanced camera resolutions, allow for broader habitat coverage and the capture of more detailed imagery in complex environments. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) represents a significant opportunity to streamline image analysis by automating crocodile detection and size estimation using allometric models. These AI-driven enhancements could provide near real-time data processing, reducing reliance on time consuming manual analysis.
This improvements are currently under development with my collaborators
Empowering Local Stakeholders through Drone Technology
Using drone with local stakeholders
Clément Aubert
This building block on capacity building on local stakeholders including Indigenous including Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) to operate drones, enabling them to take active roles in conservation.
Ease of Use of the method devellopted:
Minimal Technical Skills Required: Users only need basic training in drone operation and measurement extraction from high-resolution images. The process is straightforward:
Fly the drone following the standardized flight protocol.
Marke crocodilians on overhead images.
Measure the visible head length using accessible image analysis tools (e.g., ImageJ, QGIS).
Apply the corresponding allometric equation or lookup from pre-prepared tables (abaques) for total length estimation.
Readily Adaptable: The framework uses easy-to-read tables (abaques), making it accessible to both specilialists and non-specialists for operators can quickly apply the method without requiring advanced scientific expertise.
Accessible Equipment: The approach relies on consumer-grade drones and widely available software, ensuring affordability and reducing barriers to adoption.
Why It’s Effective:
The framework’s simplicity, scalability, and reliability make it ideal for diverse contexts, from remote wetlands to urban-adjacent habitats. It empowers a broad range of users to generate scientifically robust data.
Allometric Framework for Crocodilian Size Estimation
Allometric Framework for Crocodilian Size Estimation
Clément Aubert
The allometric framework is a non-invasive tool designed to estimate the total body length of crocodilians based on the measurement of their head length, captured through high-resolution drone imagery. By leveraging established species-specific head-to-body length ratios, this method eliminates the need for physical capture or handling, reducing risks for both researchers and wildlife. Validated for 17 of the 27 crocodilian species, the framework allow to provides reliable demographic data essential for population monitoring and conservation management.
The framework uses easy-to-read tables (abaques), making it accessible to non-specialists, operators can quickly apply the method without requiring advanced scientific expertise.
Estimating total length of crocodylians from drone-captured images by using a model
Estimating Total Length of Partially Submerged Crocodylians from Drone Imagery
Clément Aubert
Understanding the demographic structure is vital for wildlife research and conservation. For crocodylians, accurately estimating total length and demographic class usually necessitates close observation or capture, often of partially immersed individuals, leading to potential imprecision and risk. Drone technology offers a bias-free, safer alternative for classification. This study evaluated the effectiveness of drone photos combined with head length allometric relationships to estimate total length, and propose a standardized method for drone-based crocodylian demographic classification.
An allometric framework correlating head to total length for 17 crocodylian species was developed, incorporating confidence intervals to account for imprecision sources (e.g., allometric accuracy, head inclination, observer bias, terrain variability).This method was applied to wild crocodylians through drone photography. Terrain effects were less impactful than Ground Sample Distance (GSD) errors from photogrammetric software. The allometric framework predicted lengths within ≃11–18% accuracy across species, with natural allometric variation among individuals explaining much of this range. Compared to traditional methods that can be subjective and risky, our drone-based approach is objective, efficient, fast, cheap, non-invasive, and safe.
This building block establishes standardized flight parameters for effective crocodilian monitoring
Crocodiles can be closely approached (.10 m altitude) and consumer-grade drones do not elicit flight responses in West African large mammals and birds at altitudes of 40–60 m. Altitude and other flight parameters did not affect detectability, because high-resolution photos allowed accurate counting. Observer experience, field conditions (e.g. wind, sun reflection), and site characteristics (e.g. vegetation, homogeneity) all significantly affected detectability. Drone-based crocodylian surveys should be implemented from 40 m altitude in the first third of the day. Drone surveys provide advantages over traditional methods, including precise size estimation, less disturbance, and the ability to cover greater and more remote areas. Drone survey photos allow for repeatable and quantifiable habitat assessments, detection of encroachment and other illegal activities, and leave a permanent record. Overall,dronesofferavaluableandcost-effectivealternative forsurveyingcrocodylianpopulationswith compelling secondary benefits, although they may not be suitable in all cases and for all species
For many conservationists, including our participants, the knowledge to effectively use conservation technology is not enough without the funding to access the tools. Recognizing this barrier, we provide each participant with $500 USD in seed funding to help them implement their conservation solutions. Additionally, we offer training in grant writing, pitching, and engaging with funders to enhance their ability to secure future funding.
Support from donors who fund seed grants
Students are required to submit two updates and a financial report for their grant. Ensuring follow-up on these submissions requires dedicated effort and engagement from the core team
Students have reported that being able to list the seed funding received through our program on their CVs has helped them secure additional funding opportunities in the future.
Participants learn use of wildlife tracking technology
Stephanie O'Donnell
Students program Raspberry Pi
Stephanie O'Donnell
Students program Raspberry Pi
Stephanie O'Donnell
Participants learn use of wildlife tracking technology
Dany Samwell
For our technical training, we prioritize activities that allow students to directly interact with conservation technology tools. By setting up and deploying tools in safe, low-pressure environments, students have the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from those experiences. For example, letting students decide where to place a camera trap based on a lesson, and then evaluating the effectiveness of their decision by reviewing the data collected, is highly valuable.
Access to technology tools at host institution for practical use
Opportunities for students to trial and test tools themselves
Experience instructors to provide guidance and support
When paired with supporting background information, we have found these hands-on experiences to be more impactful than traditional lectures or merely observing technology in use
Providing opportunities to engage with the entire lifecycle of a technology (e.g., from set up and deployment to data collection and analysis) better prepares students for using these technologies in their own projects
