In 2016, Tibet used drones for low altitude and remote monitoring of water and soil loss at 34 test sites for 11 mid- to large-scale programs. A total of 52 flights had collected and processed almost 200 gigabytes of original data (including basic images and 3-D models), extracted 10-plus monitoring and testing indicators for water and soil loss, further improving the preventive and monitoring work in this area.

The average altitude in Tibet is above four thousand meters, with most areas inside alpine grassland ecosystem, thin soil layers, and poor anti-erosion ability. As the economic society rapidly developed, the influence of man-made factors on the environment is becoming more apparent than ever.

Yi Yunfei, Chief of the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau in Tibet Autonomous Region, explained that in recent years, Tibet has begun a “Two-in-One Sky and Ground” construction program, introducing new high tech tools such as remote satellite sensing, drones, 3-D laser scanners, etc., helping to monitor and maintain soil and water quality.

Tibet’s expansive area means its production and construction programs are located across many zones, with long timelines. Improving the efficiency of monitoring and working with information technology is key.