Vadodara: A Gujarat-origin researcher has developed a cutting-edge system using drones and artificial intelligence that is redefining how waterbird populations are monitored in wetlands, delivering far greater accuracy than conventional methods and opening new paths for science-led conservation.
Akshit Suthar, a PhD candidate at Clemson University in South Carolina, has pioneered an integrated approach that combines drone-based aerial surveys with passive acoustic monitoring, tackling long-standing challenges in bird counting in dense and hard-to-access wetland ecosystems.
Suthar received the Best Graduate Researcher Award from Clemson University's College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.
Traditional bird surveys, carried out from the ground using binoculars or scopes, are often limited by poor visibility, difficult terrain and disturbance to birds, leading to undercounting and patchy ecological data.
Suthar's approach bridges these gaps by deploying drones fitted with colour and thermal imaging cameras, allowing birds to be detected even in thick vegetation through their heat signatures.
The system is strengthened further by passive acoustic monitoring, in which recording devices capture bird calls, especially of elusive or nocturnal species. These recordings are later analysed using AI-based tools to identify species.
Preliminary findings show that drone-based surveys can detect 60–70% more birds than traditional ground-based methods, marking a major leap in monitoring accuracy.
His work is also among the first to systematically develop a drone-based aerial strip transect method that integrates both colour and thermal imaging.
Beyond counting birds, Suthar's research links bird populations with habitat variables such as water levels and vegetation structure through environmental modelling. This provides actionable insights for wetland managers and supports more effective biodiversity conservation strategies.
The study focuses on historically significant wetland impoundments along coastal South Carolina, originally developed in the 18th and 19th centuries for rice cultivation. Today, these wetlands serve as vital habitats for migratory waterfowl along the Atlantic Flyway.
Working at the James C Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center under Dr Jim Anderson, Suthar combines drone technology, deep machine learning and ecological science to create scalable and cost-effective monitoring tools.
Originally from Petlad in Anand district of Gujarat, Suthar moved to the US in 2019. He noted that while such integrated technologies are not yet widely applied in Gujarat, they hold strong relevance as wetland characteristics that support waterbird populations are similar across regions globally.
Suthar has published 16 research papers, with several more under review, and has a book chapter in press. He has also secured multiple research grants and travel awards, with his work gaining recognition for advancing the use of emerging technologies in wildlife conservation.
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Read MorePrashant Rupera Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India in Vadodara for 22 years. He extensively covers dairy sector, co-operatives, environment, climate change, education, health, politics, aviation, railways, heritage and archaeology. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s in journalism and communication. He has received awards for his campaigns and is a TOI Scribe Tribe awardee.
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