Use of UAVs for the study of Antarctic biota: applications, impacts, and future prospects. A PRISMA review

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have established themselves as effective tools for studying remote areas with high precision and low environmental impact, especially in regions such as Antarctica. However, knowledge gaps persist regarding their effects on the biota from this area. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the use of UAVs in research on Antarctic biota, evaluating their applications, impacts, and future prospects. The PRISMA protocol (a standardized tool for the clear and comprehensive presentation of systematic reviews) was applied, selecting 42 articles published between 2014 and 2024 in English and Spanish. The results show an increase in the use of UAVs since 2018, mainly in studies of marine biota (72.1%), highlighting their usefulness in population censuses, health monitoring, and behavioural analysis. The use of multirotor drones (such as the DJI Phantom 3 and 4) with RGB or multispectral sensors predominated. However, only 37.2% of the studies specify both height and flight time, limiting their replicability. Although UAVs have improved data accuracy and reduced impact on wildlife, variable behavioural responses are observed across species, underscoring the need for standardized protocols. It is concluded that UAVs are valuable tools for conservation and environmental monitoring in Antarctica, but it is crucial to standardize their use, improve sensor quality, and expand their application to less-studied regions and biological groups.