Illegal logging, illegal waste dumping and other forms of ecological crime do not usually receive the public attention that other forms of crime receive. Nevertheless, it is an extremely profitable form of crime that pollutes and degrades the environment, reduces biodiversity and disrupts the ecological balance. Polluters and other “ecological criminals” are further encouraged by the fact that cases of ecological crime are difficult to detect and the sanctions provided for perpetrators are relatively lenient.

Within the framework of the ICAERUS: IDSSF project, we:

• We have developed a prototype solution for detecting ecological crime, which combines drones with advanced analytical software.
• Developed a methodology for controlling ecological crime with drones in rural environments.