Advances in Marine Research, Sustainable Oceans and Coastal Systems
UAV-Based Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for Sustainable Coastal Monitoring
Abstract
Murat Yakar
Coastal zones are characterized by dynamic interactions involving erosion, flooding, habitat degradation, pollution, and intensive development, all occurring over short spatial and temporal scales. While conventional field surveys offer crucial control measurements, they often fall short in providing the comprehensive coverage, frequent revisits, or detailed three-dimensional data necessary for adaptive coastal management. This review explores the use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based photogrammetry and remote sensing as an integrated framework for sustainable coastal monitoring. It synthesizes literature on various aspects such as platform and sensor selection, mission planning, georeferencing, Structure-from-Motion processing, point-cloud and elevation-product generation, change detection, and the increasing application of machine learning. Current applications are categorized into areas like shoreline and erosion analysis, topographic and volumetric monitoring, hazard assessment, habitat mapping, thermal and pollution observation, and documentation of coastal infrastructure and heritage. The synthesis highlights that UAV systems effectively bridge the gap between ground observations and satellite data, especially when centimetre-level precision, flexible acquisition timelines, and rapid post-event surveys are needed. Nevertheless, their reliability is contingent upon factors like image geometry, ground sampling distance, control distribution, surface conditions, regulatory compliance, and transparent reporting of uncertainties. Future advancements will necessitate standardized protocols, multi-sensor fusion, automated quality control, interoperable data infrastructures, and monitoring designs that transform repeated surveys into actionable indicators. Therefore, UAV technology proves most beneficial when integrated into a long-term coastal observation strategy, rather than being used as a standalone mapping tool.