January 13, 2026
High above the tropical peat forests of Sumatra’s Kampar Peninsula, a quiet revolution is taking place. Instead of the buzz of chainsaws or heavy machinery, it’s the steady hum of drones—small, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with cameras and sensors—scanning the forest canopy below.
For Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER), these drones have become vital tools in our mission to restore peat forest ecosystems and safeguard biodiversity across the 150,693-hectare restoration area. With their unique capacity to capture high-resolution images and data, drones enable RER teams to see the landscape from a new perspective—one that supports better decisions for restoration, wildlife protection, and climate resilience.
Why Drones Matter for Ecosystem Restoration
Restoring a peat forest isn’t simply about planting trees—it’s about rebuilding a living ecosystem. Drones make that complex task measurable and more efficient.
Detailed aerial imagery from drones can help RER teams in a number of ways:
Drones can cover hundreds of hectares in a single flight, producing precise data that supports field verification and long-term restoration planning. Combined with ground-level monitoring and data collection, this helps provide a more complete picture of the landscape.
“We use drone data to prioritize areas for replanting or canal blocking,” says RER Restoration Manager Muhammad Iqbal. “It helps us plan efficiently, monitor progress, and verify the success of restoration work. By utilizing drones, we can cover greater areas and really upscale our impact to the landscape level.”
The use of drone technology underscores our wider commitment to innovation in conservation at RER. In this article, we take a closer look at the role drones play in this process, and how new technologies are helping us achieve our aims.
Inside RER’s Drone Operations
RER’s drone program is managed by its Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Restoration Teams, who plan, conduct, and process drone flights across various zones of the concession—from active restoration sites to natural forest buffers.
Before each flight, the team designs a mission plan that defines altitude, route, and image overlap. Using specialized software, these images are then stitched together to form orthomosaic maps, giving a detailed, bird’s-eye view of the forest canopy and restoration zones.
“Drones give us a clear picture of what’s really happening at ground level,” explains RER GIS Analyst, Melisa Angelina. “They help us monitor vegetation recovery, identify areas in need of intervention, and document how the forest is healing over time.”
Drone imagery complements RER’s existing data systems, including SMART Patrol and field survey records, allowing for cross-verification of observations. This integration ensures that digital monitoring translates directly into on-the-ground actions—such as replanting, hydrological restoration, or protection patrols.
Tracking Restoration Progress Over Time
Drone technology doesn’t just capture snapshots—it builds a living timeline of RER’s restoration journey. By conducting regular drone surveys, we can compare images taken months or years apart to assess how well the forest is recovering.
Data from drones can help answer several key ecological questions:
For example, in reforested areas where drone imagery shows increased canopy closure, there are some initial signs that bird populations may be rebounding, suggesting improving habitat quality for wildlife.
“Seeing the forest grow back from the air is powerful,” says RER Biodiversity Specialist Dian Andi. “It tells us that the ecosystem is healing—and that our restoration methods are working.”
From Data to Decision: How Imagery Informs Action
Drone imagery is analyzed using GIS software to generate quantitative data, such as vegetation indices and land-cover classifications. These metrics inform management decisions—identifying which sites need additional planting, mapping out canal networks, and determining where water levels need to be adjusted to maintain peat moisture.
This data-driven approach ensures restoration at RER remains adaptive and science based. It also supports transparent reporting to partners, stakeholders, and funders by providing verifiable visual proof of progress over time.
By combining scientific knowledge with digital mapping and remote sensing, RER ensures that every decision—whether in planning, planting, or protection—is guided by accurate, up-to-date information.
Drones for Climate and Biodiversity Gains
Beyond restoration, drone data also contributes to RER’s broader environmental objectives—supporting both climate resilience and biodiversity protection.
Healthy peat forests are among the world’s most effective carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon below ground. By monitoring forest cover and peatland hydrology, drones help ensure that these areas remain inundated, safe, and protected.
At the same time, drone imagery helps identify critical habitats—such as nesting sites, canopy gaps, and natural corridors—used by rare and endangered species like the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and white-winged wood duck (Asarcornis scutulata). These two species are mostly documented in plantation forests.
These insights feed into RER’s long-term management strategies, linking our restoration efforts directly to climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation.
Innovation in Restoration: RER’s Ongoing Commitment
RER’s drone initiative is part of a broader commitment to innovation in ecosystem restoration. Alongside SMART patrol systems, hydrological restoration, and biodiversity monitoring, drones represent a key component of RER’s growing toolkit for precision conservation; targeted, data-driven management of ecosystems, where tools such as drones are used to map peatland landscapes in high resolution, identify ecological risks and priorities, and guide strategic, site-specific interventions that maximize conservation impact while minimizing disturbance.
As technology evolves, RER aims to expand its drone applications—potentially integrating multispectral sensors to measure vegetation health, or AI-based analysis to automate detection of forest changes.
“Technology can’t replace people in the field,” explains Muhammad Iqbal. “But when used wisely, it empowers them. Drones extend our vision, helping us protect and restore the forest more effectively.”
By continuously exploring new tools and techniques, RER demonstrates that science and innovation can be the keys to unlocking lasting impact for nature and climate.
Key Takeaways
For more information about the conservation efforts currently underway in Riau, please explore the RER website.
