Publications

Digdo, A.A., Astari, E., Arinda, B.R., and Cahyono, T. (2025), BIO Web of Conferences.

Published in BIO Web of Conferences, this study explores the use of drones and artificial intelligence to detect dugongs under limited-resource conditions in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Combining CMS Dugong Questionnaire data, seagrass habitat mapping from the Allen Coral Atlas, drone surveys, and AI-assisted image analysis, the researchers conducted 28 flights covering 12.09 km² and recorded 56 dugong sightings. While manual image analysis proved more reliable, AI detection achieved only 17.6% precision, highlighting the need for larger and more diverse training datasets. The study demonstrates the potential of combining affordable technologies, habitat data, and local ecological knowledge to improve dugong monitoring and guide conservation in areas where resources and population data are limited.

This technical report presents standardized methods and findings from dugong and marine megafauna surveys conducted under the IKI-funded Conservation of Biodiversity, Seagrass Ecosystems and Their Services project. It outlines practical, cost-effective approaches for monitoring dugongs and other marine megafauna using drone-based aerial imagery and standardized image analysis, enabling surveys to be undertaken by local practitioners. The report supports long-term monitoring of dugong populations as indicators of seagrass ecosystem health and provides guidance to strengthen evidence-based conservation and management of seagrass habitats and the ecosystem services they provide.