The use of drones as a tool for biodiversity conservation in Brazil

Abstract

The endless possibilities and advantages of using drones have aroused the interest of many countries on using them in biodiversity conservation actions, especially in protected areas. The use of such equipment has the potential to increase the effectiveness of such actions while reducing risks and costs. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the state of the art of using drones in biodiversity conservation initiatives in Brazil and their regulatory framework, in order to reflect on how these equipments can be used as an instrument to accomplish biodiversity protection international commitments made by the country, included in the Convention on Biological Diversity - CBD and in the Aichi Targets. The conclusion was that, although the Brazilian regulatory framework already allows the application of drones in biodiversity conservation actions, leading to the fulfilment of international commitments, the issuing of specific rules considering the peculiarities of this type of use is an essential step in providing the necessary legal certainty and confidence.