High altitude kite mapping: evaluation of kite aerial photography (KAP) and structure from motion digital elevation models in the Peruvian Andes

ABSTRACT

Researching glacier-melt impacted hydrology in the Andes motivates us to collect on-demand, high-resolution multispectral imagery, and digital elevation models (DEMs). While adverse conditions in these remote mountain locations present technical challenges for motorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), consistent katabatic winds allow for testing lightweight Kite Aerial Photography (KAP) as an alternative. We use a KAP platform at 4000 msl in the Peruvian Andes to survey a 0.23 km² pro-glacial alpine meadow and wetland system. Using structure from motion we develop a 2 cm orthomosaic, dense point cloud with 101 points/m², and 5–100 cm DEMs. Accuracy of the DEM was found to be equivalent to a 1 m aerial lidar DEM; however, the denser point cloud derived from the KAP platform retained better definition of fine surface features. The high resolution, robustness and low acquisition cost of these platforms indicates strong potential for the monitoring of fine scale and rapid changes in mountain environments.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the three anonymous reviewers and the Editor Prof. Timothy Warner who took the time to provide constructive comments and critical insights on the manuscript. Addressing the issues raised and incorporating these suggestions have greatly improved the quality and impact of the manuscript. Permission to conduct research within the Huascaran National Park was provided by the Parque Nacional Huascaran Office in Huaraz.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was co-funded by NSF Grants [DEB-1010550 and BCS-1434248], The American Geographical Society, The Tinker Foundation and The Ohio State University Department of Geography and the Center for Latin American Studies. Additional support in the form of GNSS equipment loan for the base station and PG-A1 antenna was provided by the UNAVCO Facility with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under NSF Cooperative Agreement [No. EAR-0735156].