FlowerFinder: An open source tool for automated flower detection and counting in UAV images and orthomosaics

In the face of current reports of declines in insect abundance and diversity, measures
such as agri-environment schemes for habitat conservation are necessary to prevent a severe
loss of important ecosystem services. One of the possible options for farmers to increase the
habitat quality for flower-visiting insects is to reduce the management intensity of grassland
sites. To prove the efficacy of this measure, the number of specific indicator plant species is
usually assessed. We are developing a processing pipeline for UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)
imagery that could enhance this assessment by automated detection and counting of individual
flowers for plots, transects or entire meadows.