​Multispectral sensors are famously used to calculate vegetation indices (like NDVI, NDRE, etc.) which correlate with plant chlorophyll content and vigor. Systematic vegetation surveys can detect early ecological shifts. Such monitoring helps catch biodiversity changes and forest decline indicators under climate stress. Drones carrying multispectral cameras can map an entire wetland or forest stand in hours, identifying areas of browning foliage, pest infestation, or invasive species encroachment by their spectral signatures.

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Drone-based multispectral maps can provide useful “snapshot” assessments of water quality – mapping, for instance, where algae are concentrated or where sediment is most turbid – which is invaluable for coastal management. Multispectral cameras help map habitat quality by assessing vegetation density and moisture, which correlate with wildlife distribution. For example, in a savannah reserve, a drone survey with multispectral data can reveal which patches of grass are green (high NIR reflectance) vs. dry, thereby identifying available forage for herbivores during a drought.