Some of the most interesting uses of UAVs deployment in science and conservation are terrain mapping and vegetation analysis.
Data capture for mapping or vegetation analysis can be done by multirotor or fixed-wing methods, with the former a good choice for smaller areas that can be covered in less than 20 minutes and the latter better for bigger landscapes that may require up to an hour of flight time (or more).
The photogrammetry software to perform this work is rapidly evolving but at this time the best options carry a rather stunning range of pricing. Tools include both desktop processing and server-farm processing approaches. You have to explore the options to see what matches your end use. Here is a list of processing software for your exploration:
3dr Site Scan
https://3dr.com/enterprise/features/
Agisoft Photoscan Professional Edition
http://www.agisoft.com/
AgPixel
http://www.agpixel.com/
BladeEdge
http://edgedata.net/bladeedge/ (Wind Turbines)
Contextcapture
https://www.bentley.com/en/products/brands/contextcapture
Correlator 3D
http://www.simactive.com/en/correlator3d/photogrammetry-software/features
Datumate
http://www.datumate.com/
Drone Data Management System
https://event38.com/drone-data-management-system/
Drone Mapper
https://dronemapper.com/
Drone2Map for ArcGIS
http://www.esri.com/products/drone2map
DroneDeploy
https://www.dronedeploy.com/
Geomatica
http://www.pcigeomatics.com/software/geomatica/professional
Global Mapper for UAV
http://blog.bluemarblegeo.com/2017/03/22/global-mapper-for-uav-operations/
Icaros One Button
https://www.icaros.us/onebuttonpro/
Imagestation
http://www.hexagongeospatial.com/products/power-portfolio/%20imagestation
Imagine UAV (ERDAS Imagine) https://www.geosystems.de/en/products/imagine-uav/benefits/
Maps Made Easy
https://www.mapsmadeeasy.com/
Open Drone Map
http://opendronemap.org/
Photomodeler
http://www.photomodeler.com/index.html (3D models)
Pix4Dmapper Pro
https://pix4d.com/
Precision Mapper
http://www.precisionhawk.com/precisionmapper
Propeller Aero
https://www.propelleraero.com/
Reality Capture
https://www.capturingreality.com (3D models)
SlantView by SlantRange
http://www.slantrange.com/slantview/
Summit Evolution
http://www.datem.com/
Trimble Business Center
https://geospatial.trimble.com/products-and-solutions/trimble-business-center
Unlimited Aerial
http://holistic-imaging.com/unlimited-aerial/
